My Story of Struggle and Survival, 0317 ALBJ, 78 The Alabama Lawyer 143 (2017)
| Author | Mary Turner Roberts, J. |
Mary Turner Roberts, J.
I walked in the door… late.
The third day that week I had been late for work. Everyone in the office knew why I was late. All of those standing in the common area looked at me with that look, that look of disappointment and shame. Then, they all looked away. Silence. I could feel the temperature drop from the cold shoulders. My co-workers did not want to speak to me. They did not want to look at me. They did not want to be around me.
All but one–because he was in recovery. He had been where I was. He knew the signs of alcoholism. The Alabama Lawyer Assistance Program had helped him a year before. He knew what to do. He came up to me and suggested I go speak with my older brother about my drinking. My brother was also a lawyer and his office was across the street. At my co-worker’s insistence and with him by my side, I went to see my brother.
I had always looked up to my older brother and probably became a lawyer because of him. I timidly walked into his office and sat d own. I told him that my coworker suggested I talk to him about my drinking, but, of course, I didn't know why. I didn't have a problem. And I desperately wanted my brother to agree. I needed him to tell me that I did not have a problem, I didn't need to go to treatment and that I wasn't an alcoholic.
As we talked, I began to share my struggles. At first it was hard for me to even admit that I was struggling, but as we continued to talk, it became easier. After all, my brother knew when my struggles began-when I was 16 years old.
I was going to a movie with some of my high school friends. When they came to pick me up, my dad called me over to give me a kiss goodbye. I was 16. My friends were watching. I was embarrassed, but I walked over to my dad and he kissed me goodbye.
We got to the theater, found some good seats and sat down, waiting for the movie to begin. The manager walked into the theater and called out one of my friends by name and told her to come to the office. I walked with her so she wouldn't have to go alone.
When we got to the office, the manager said she had a phone call. As my friend talked on the phone, I could tell something was wrong. She hung up and told me we had to go to the hospital. They were taking my dad.
My dad had had open heart surgery about two years earlier. I...
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