Hello all,
I honestly did a random web search, in desperation, looking for others who are facing some or all the same battles that I am ... and here I am. I greatly respect everyone who has taken the initiative to speak up here - whether or not those in your actual lives have reminded you of your validity and worthiness.
I'm here, and you're all here. And that's enough. I hope to meet/gain support/lend support to anyone here who finds themselves in pain, and I think that's probably plenty of us. I know it includes me.
Happy new year,
-B-