Hello!

Call me whisky, everyone does. I am a 43 year old single female. I am a survivor of life-long physical, emotional and verbal abuse by my parents and two of my brothers. I only got out for good three years ago. Yes, they did whatever they could to keep me in that house. I escaped.

I am out, but I am indigent and on the edge of becoming homeless. I have huge gaps in my life-skills. I have almost no ability to do basic arithmatic. I am phobic of men (no offense, guys -- I don't believe men are evil or hate them) and this makes it difficult to impossible to find gainful employment. As I am estranged from my family and I have few friends, I have no real support network. I live every moment afraid I am going to end up homeless, or sick and dying alone.

I am getting counseling and treatment, but I know it takes time. I have applied for disability, and that takes a long time. Meanwhile, I am scrambling to survive, and still be patient. I think that is the hardest part, waiting for things to move, the things that can help me, that can take pressure off.

I do have joy in my life. I am an artist, and creating brings me happiness. I do hear from distant friends regularly. And I have a large, healthy sense of humor and appreciation for the absurd! :crazy-eye

So, I am here. Being here is part of my efforts to heal. I believe I can recover, which is to say, I can overcome all that has happened and have a happy life. I am not sick, I am injured. Injuries can heal, and I am determined to be whole, just as I was when I was born.

Meanwhile, if I can listen and help someone else, I will.

Greetings! :D