Despair from a Grieving Sister

Libby's sister Jen posted these thoughts in a comment following up my blog about Libby. In it, I said toward the end that I thought her case was the most heartbreaking of those involving Methamphetamine I was aware of. But I was impressed with Jen's comments for two reasons: one is that she commented at all. And two, the level of despair in her words that... well... read and you'll understand:


Thank you Christian for telling my sister's story.

My family and I love her tremendously. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think about her.

It's true that she is addicted to Methamphetamine and Leonard is a disease in her life but unfortunately, we cannot blame all of Libby's troubles on him.

My sister also suffers greatly from mental illness - something she started dealing with long before the drug abuse. Unfortunately, given her delicate and vulnerable state, Leonard saw an opportunity and helped push her down a path that she may not be able to recover from.

Sadly, we consider her state fatal. We have staged interventions. My parents have taken her in more times than they can count. Every time she is admitted in to a psychiatric hospital, we beg and plead with the doctors to help us but sadly, our system is so broken, that we cannot get the help she so desperately needs.

In this country, she has the right to be homeless. She has the right to not seek treatment for her condition. She has the right to be with whomever she wants even if it's a Mr. Leonard Mooney. She is an adult and unless she is causing physical harm to herself or to another, she can continue living her life in any destructive way she wants to.

I don't hate those people out there who have negative comments about those that are homeless because I understand those people have a limited understanding. There is a very small percentage of people out there who can understand the pain that we are feeling.

My only hope for those out there who are fortunate enough to have loved ones not going through this is to have compassion for those that are. Every person is different and every person has a story.

Libby is my sister who I love with all my heart. I love the wonderful person she once was and I still love the sweet soul she is today. Forever and ever, Libby.


Just my reaction to this...

When Jen said she and her family considered Libby's condition “fatal” that kinda hit home. And I think, not sure, but I do believe that most who know Libby believe the same thing. I know what it is to love someone who is unreachable...

it is horrifically painful...