I think that my childhood prepared me to expect certain things and learn how to go it alone at times and make the best of it. All those years of witnessing how badly my older brother was treated and shunned and also being shunned because I was his sister prepared me for how other people can be. What I learned is how that doesn't really change. Truth is people can be cruel. My brother's biggest problem other than his older sister hating him was that he had ADHD and could not sit still and pay attention normally. They did not know anything about that when we were children.

So, I was not a stranger for being shunned and loving or caring about and supporting someone anyway. My husband worked two jobs and went to meetings and working on staying sober. I created my own small business out of my little farm so I could he around for my daughter to help her with her learning disabilities. It was not easy for my daughter either as there were piers that shunned her for having "special needs". Ironically, my daughter's IQ was extremely high for her age.

I honestly was not sure about starting this thread. I don't want to disrespect those who struggle and take steps to get sober, I know that's a genuine challenge. Yet, at the same time this problem has affected me my entire life. Either way it's hard to talk about. And I have gotten used to doing it a lot on my own.