To the person who thinks they're better than my brother…
It is crazy how in a simple moment, all your respect can be lost for a person. I was so used to the digs towards me, but never a person of my own family.
For starters, here is a little run down of my brother, you know... since you never met him. My brother is 31 years old. He was born in Philadelphia. He is left-handed. And he is a drug addict.
That does not mean that he is currently using, it means that he will struggle with a lifelong addiction. He also lives about 1500 miles away from me.
I grew up at a young age because I had to. My mom needed my support. I remember a few times that my brother got arrested and having to go with her to go get him.
But I also remember the times that he would drive me to my friends and buy me an ice cream cone. My brother is not and was not his addiction.
He is human and is one of the best I know.
I remember a time when I was a child and I would be afraid to go into his bedroom. I was afraid I would find him either dead, gone, or passed out. But now I go into his room, I find nothing. He started a new life in a new part of the country.
Not because he wanted to "move somewhere warm" or because he wanted a "fresh start", but because he would have died if he hadn't done so.
He was homeless a couple of times because he struggled to be alone and finding a balance. I still think of my brother every time I see a homeless person. Because that could be him.
As life goes on, we pick people out that we see fit as role models. And he is mine.
He has his own demons, but who doesn't.
He is an inspiration to me every single day. He has a job, an apartment, and friends. But none of it was easy for him. There were so many times that he wanted to come home. But he knew he couldn't.
Life sure hasn't been easy to him, but he doesn't roll over in defeat. He gets up and brushes it off.
He shares his story with people and is not ashamed of who he is.
He even had to opportunity to visit high schools and share his story to young people about what addiction can do to not only you, but also your family.
As for me, I personally feel attacked when you mention him or anyone in my family for that matter.
My brother is a son, a grandson, a nephew, and an uncle. He has many titles and roles to play.
He works full time and is even seen as a great asset to his work team. They even wanted to promote him to a new city to help train new workers.
I had the opportunity to see him over Christmas and it was truly the best present I could have asked for.
He means the world to me because a couple of years ago, I honestly thought he wouldn't be around anymore.
It has been hard. Him not being here for graduations, weddings, and other events. But we rather have him a few times a year than not at all.
You are completely right, you are nothing like him because he is ten times the person you are. He fights an ongoing battle every single day and is the toughest person I know.
We live in 2019, a time where people should be accepting of one another. Next time you make an insult about someone who you have never met, try to put yourself in their family's position. Try to see through someone else's perspective.
Sincerely, concerned sister
