When I was younger, my mom physically abused me to the point where social services got involved. I left her house when I was 18 and it was the hardest thing in my life because I knew that once I left, my mom would never talk to me again. She feels that I have deserted her and we don't speak to this day. My dad was never a part of my life until he contacted me at 18( I am 23 now). I was desperate for a family and a place to call home so I immediately accepted his family as my family. I guess I just wanted to feel loved. My uncle saw my innocence and vulnerability and destroyed me completely. I am ashamed of what has happened to me. It was embarrassing enough to tell my dad and he looks at me as if I were trash. I can't imagine how other people --- strangers --- would look at me....I guess what hurts the most is that no matter who I tell, I will never understand why this happened to me.
