I Don’t Want To Be a Survivor

“I don’t want to be thought of as a survivor because you have to continue getting involved in difficult situations to show off that particular gift, and I’m not interested in doing that anymore.” – Carrie Fisher

Something I learned over ten years ago is that getting sober is hard. Harder than I imagined. Harder than non-alcoholics can imagine. Stopping drinking was hard. Looking back, with a clearer mind, and seeing all the damage I’d done was hard. Trying to stop blaming the world and other people for all my troubles was hard. Accepting that everything didn’t immediately get better when I put down a drink was hard. But, I’m a survivor. That’s what I was told.
Survivor

Funny enough, I lost most of my “friends” when I cleaned up my act. At least I thought I did. It took me awhile to learn that fellow barfly’s really can’t be classified as friends. I had no more of an interest in hanging out with a bunch of drunks than they had interest in hanging out with someone who was sober. I got to know people in Alcoholics Anonymous, but it took a while to develop new friendships. I was lonely. But, I’m a survivor. That’s what I was told.

Once I got sober I had to find a job, even though my brain wasn’t fully functional yet. I didn’t have my act together enough to return to corporate America, so rather than sending out resumes, I was going door to door filling out applications. When I found a job my suits went into the back of the closet so I could put my aprons in the front of the closet. I had been offered a job as a cashier and a bagger at a supermarket and finances forced me to accept it. It was humbling. But, I’m a survivor. That’s what I was told.

After a few years sober things started coming together again. I started a new job and was quickly promoted to manager. I began dating again and eventually got into a loving relationship with Maurice, the man who would become my husband. I stopped renting someone’s bedroom and moved into an apartment. I met knew people and developed loving, long-lasting friendships. Then suddenly I took a turn for the worst. My depression became more pronounced and I began to have more manic episodes, which were more frequent and more pronounced. But, I’m a survivor. That’s what I was told.

The rollercoaster of extreme highs and extreme lows forced me to quit my job. I became agoraphobic. I began having seizures and my highs and lows became more extreme. My life was spinning out of control. I was confused and scared. But, I’m a survivor. That’s what I was told.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. My mania and my depression both progressed. I began to get confused and lost easily. I’d get off the bus and have no idea where I was. At times Maurice would have to leave work to find me. I couldn’t enter a supermarket because all the lights, sounds, packaging and people bustling were too overwhelming. Once I even got lost in a movie theater. It was all terrifying. Sometimes all I could do was sit and cry. But, I’m a survivor. That’s what I was told.

For years I was told I was a survivor. I was told I was a fighter too. It made me proud at first, but that quickly faded. I became angry. I didn’t want to hear it. I didn’t want to be a fighter – I didn’t want anything to fight about. I didn’t want to be a survivor – I wanted nothing to survive from. Once, I was at an A.A. meeting with a man with over fifty years of sobriety. You’d think during that time he would have been wise enough to know what to say and not to say. Instead, he made the unfortunate mistake of telling me I was a survivor because I was such a fighter. By the time I was done with him, he clearly regretted opening his mouth. But I’m a survivor. That’s what I was told.

Why was I born with the predisposition of becoming an alcoholic? I don’t know. Why was I born with bipolar disorder? I don’t know. Why did it have to be me? I don’t know. All I want to do is be the best me – the best me I can possibly be. When I look back at my life, it was hell, yet I made it through it. Of course, I wish I didn’t have to be survivor. I wish it hadn’t been so hard. But what good does it do to be resentful? What good does it do to whine? I am a survivor and I accept it. I embrace it. It’s been a long road. But I’m a survivor. That’s what I was told – that is what I say. That is what I say with pride.

19 comments on I Don’t Want To Be a Survivor

  1. Thanks for the great quote and a thoughtful and thought-provoking post. Our journey is not easy. Takes some work to come to accept that we have chronic illnesses which we must manage and survive. You have survived more than that, though, you have survived homelessness and poverty, too. I humbly bow down to you and see you as inspiration and hope.

    1. Thank you, Kitt. Our journey is not easy and I’ve kicked and screamed the whole way though it. I’m amazed I’m not more resentful than I am. I think the Buddhist practice and the tools I learned in AA had a huge impact in getting me through this,

  2. I’m glad for you, Bradley, and proud of you for persevering as best you could and being courageous. Courage doesn’t mean one isn’t experiencing fear during his trials. Courageous people can be scared out of their wits, but they do what needs doing, what needs to be worked through and move forward as best they can. Thanks for sharing with us.

    1. Thank you. I never thought of getting through all that as courageous, but I guess it was to some degree. Thank you for your comment.

  3. Another powerful essay Brad. Thanks for your honesty. I’m glad you survived all you did or I wouldn’t have the privilege of knowing you.

  4. Hi, Bradley. Here is something you and your readers might be interested in: The magazine Creative Nonfiction is publishing an anthology of essays tentatively titled Beyond Crazy: True Stories of Surviving Mental Illness. Here is the contact info: Creative Nonfiction
    Subject: A New Mental Health Project from In Fact Books

  5. What a wonderful post. From the sounds of it you certainly are a survivor, and it’s so hope-inspiring to read that. Good to hear that things get better (even though some things stay so hard) and good to know that there’s hope in strength. Just great to read your post, I’m glad I clicked on it.

    1. Hi Becky, things do get better in recovery, but it is not easy. I’ll keep you in my thoughts. I’m glad you like the post.

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