She Made Her Mom Cry When She Said She Feels Invisible Next To Her Severely Disabled Brother
This 17-year-old girl has a 21-year-old brother who has a couple of severe disabilities that require 24/7 care.
Her 45-year-old dad and 43-year-old mom have to constantly be there for her brother, so she’s pushed off to the side.
“Because of this, I’ve often felt like the “glass kid” — the one who’s expected to quietly manage on her own without causing any extra burden,” she explained.
“Growing up, I learned to be self-sufficient. I did my homework alone, cooked my own meals, and rarely asked for help.”
“While I understand why my parents had to focus so much on my brother, it hasn’t stopped the growing sense of neglect.”
A month ago, she was the star of her school play, and her mom and dad didn’t end up attending the event.
While they promised that they would be there, her brother ended up having an emergency, so they stayed home.
Up on stage, she delivered her performance while staring at the empty seats her mom and dad should have been sitting in.
“Feeling frustrated, I decided to bring it up during a rare family dinner. I told my parents how I felt invisible and wished they could find a way to be there for me sometimes, too,” she said.
Andreshkova Nastya – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
“My mom burst into tears, and my dad looked furious. He told me I was being selfish and that I should be more grateful for the sacrifices they make.”
“My brother, who can’t speak, watched the whole exchange silently, and I couldn’t help but feel like the worst person in the world.”
In the days following the disastrous dinner, her mom and dad hardly said a word to her. Both of their feelings were hurt, so she began to think she was mean for addressing her feelings.
She asked her best friend for her opinion, and her best friend believes she’s not wrong for trying to get more attention from her parents.
However, her extended family and grandparents think she needs to grow up and show her mom and dad more sympathy.
“Despite feeling guilty, I can’t shake the feeling of loneliness and the desire for a bit more parental attention,” she added.
“I know my brother’s needs are immense and non-negotiable, but does that mean my feelings don’t matter at all?”
You can read the original post on Reddit here.
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