>>I was jobless, using myriad drugs and alcohol like an idiot, I reacted to things based on the experience of my home life (drunk and abusive father, angry mother, both of whom could *snap* at a moment's notice), and my coping abilities were immature at best. So I made the decision that I would not bring another life into this world because I wasn't sure the baby would be healthy, and because I couldn't deal with it.<,
lori it is so hard to second guess these things but i have a feeling you made the responsible choice ... this discussion makes me think of some friends who are trying to raise the child of a woman who gave birth while using heavy drugs at the time (i believe she is still using)..the father found out he was a father only when the child was about 2 or maybe 3 years old & a lot of physical & emotional damage had been done by then... to his credit, when he found out he was a father he was able to get custody of the child & has been raising her for about 4 years...(with his wife & her daughter & a daughter they have together- both kids are younger)...however his daughter whose mother (is still) a drug addict has some very severe problems (extreme violence to herself & the other kids) which have greatly endangered the other children in the family...after years of intense therapy & trying meds they are not sure they are capable of raising this child & are searching for a solution outside of sending her to an institution which is what all the professionals recommend...a completely heartbreaking situation... ******************************************** Kate Bennett: www.katebennett.com Sponsored by Polysonics/Atlantis Sound Labs Over the Moon- "bringing the melancholy world of twilight to life almost like magic" All Music Guide ********************************************
