Thank-you for hearing me out and supporting. I don't think people understand AB/DL. When they hear about it, they immediately think it's something we choose to be. I can tell you honestly, that if I could remove it from my life, I would, and I've tried as long as I can remember. I remember bargining with myself every year until I was about 19, "ok, it's a new year, no more of this stuff," and every year, I'd fall back into the old patterns. I eventually gave up the fight, but it hasn't led to acceptance. I don't know if it ever will, although I do hope for some kind of peace.
I do agree, Dill, that people focus too much on self-labels. I'm definately one of those, I think!