Topic : 09/25 The Dr. Phil House: Man Camp Newlyweds, Part 2

Hi Karla, My name is Robbie, and I am an alcoholic. I want you to know that there is hope. My life was, in many ways, similar to yours; in many ways much worse, and it was due to alcohol. I did not find the help I needed in time, and I lost my family, my job and my self-esteem. I now live a life of such joy as I have never known, even as a child. I found, like so many others, that through the belief in a power greater than ourselves, and the fellowship of men and women who suffered like I did, that I could learn to live life, without alcohol. You said during the broadcast that Dr. Phil (and presumably others) should not judge you until they walked a mile in your shoes. I have walked a thousand miles in your shoes, down a dark and lonely road of self destruction, and I do not judge you. In this fellowship of men and women, you will find many others who will not judge you; their only goal is to help you. Please have Dr. Phil or his counsellors put you in touch with these people, they will know who we are. We are anonymous, but we are everywhere. If not, please contact me directly, and I will help you in any way I can(robbie_mac_leod@hotmail.com). And please rememeber: There is hope. Robbie

If you know that there is abuse going on you are legally obligated to report it. This day in age there is hope for kids that go to foster care. I know from first hand experience that it's the hardest thing in the world to report abuse to a child that is close to you. Let me tell you this, my nephew from my husbands side and his wife moved to our area with their infant son. My husband and I let them live with us for a while but when the adults wouldn't take care of themselves or thier baby and when they wouldn't pick up after myself or try to support themselves my husband and I had no choice but to kick them out. The downside was that we couldn't keep the baby with us without the parents permission. Now fast forward just one mere month from us kicking them out ... I got a phone call saying there were cops and an ambulance at the motel room this family was staying at. My first thought was something happened to the baby. I got to the room and found that my nephew was being arrested for abuse, his wife was going to the hospital severely injured and we needed to take care of the baby. My husband and I got the baby and went to the hospital to see how his mom was doing and how long we would need to care for the baby. While we were sitting in the waiting room I noticed bruises on the babies face, neck and shoulders. Immediately I notified the police officers that were there and they replied that they knew about it because the mom told them and it would be in thier reports. It got late and we went to the motel room to get the baby some clean clothes and food and there was none to be found so we had to go buy some. Later that night mom was released and wanted her baby back with her. I asked her about the bruises on his face, etc and she stripped the baby to show me bruises on his stomach and back. I was sick mind you that the baby was only five months old. I called social services knowing that bad things happen in the system and I really didn't want the baby to be lost but I wanted him to be safe as well. Fast forward almost 7 months..... the babies mom is involuntarily committed for a number of issues to a psychiatric center and the dad is doing time. My husband and I are only a few days to a week shy of getting guardianship of the baby. It's not the easiest thing in the world to do but you have to do it. One thing though, your grandkids may not have to go to a foster parent even if they are removed from the home if a family member can step up and care for them. It's hard but for the sake of those kids you need to do it.