My life the soap opera

My life has always been somewhat like a really bad soap opera. For many years people have been saying I must write this all down, if for nothing else, than for people to realise there are people out there like me. Some say I am unlucky, I say I am strong. You decide...

From a young age I knew my dad didn't like me - well I can hear you say, whats new with that, loads of dads aren't perfect - and that's very true.
I guess he always wanted a boy. What he ended up with was 3 girls. But I was the only one with an attitude I guess. And that is his justification for hitting me. Not that I wasn't a total pain in the ass (I was a teenager) but now I have a permanent curvature in my spine and a dad who is not shy of telling me that I ruined his life and he wishes I had never been born.

So how am I lucky you may be thinking?
Well this was the first thing in my life I had to overcome. I learnt that you can break the cycle of violence and not be like your parents. Of course first I went through the bully stage - which I justified by saying I was protecting the underdog - Since when is that a reason for beating someone up??

I have lived through violence, racism, rape, stalkers, drug dealers, death (no obviously not mine), and many other crappy experiences and have come out all of it realising that my life is mine to make as I want it. That to be happy I don't need to be married with kids, fabulously rich (although it would be nice) or even to be loved by parents.

What I would like to do is see if people want to hear how I got through to the other side.
My life is still far from perfect, I have 7 chronic illnesses and have been told I will never work again, I have custody of my disabled teenage sister, my best friend is anorexic, 2 friends of mine are dying and my mum is mentally unwell - and thats just for starters!!!

But through all this I have to say, I am not unhappy. Life is for living and I will try the best I can with what I have. I often tell my life story to people to motivate etc and now I would like to try it online. I would also like peoples opinions on certain problems I face in my life.

I want to make a difference in the world.

• I want people to know that there is another way to do things.
• One person can make a difference.
• We all have things to contribute.

Now I need you to help me prove it