My interviewing skills were put to the test with Julie. Her story is one of hope and resilience, as she tries to move on. She recalled many incidents that still were connected with painful memories. Julie grew up in what she described as a dysfunctional home with very few happy times. Her parents were alcoholic and split up the large family when she was a young girl. Her feelings of abandonment and loss were profound and she resented this split. Julie explained that her foster parents did not know how to give the children the warmth or support that they needed. She longed for love and acceptance and to return home. Instead, she said she found she was practically raising herself as a child.

That split was devastating and she admits that she is still dealing with her own psychological issues from the scars left from her childhood pain. Julie states that she has not been present fully for her children, particularly her oldest daughter who had little guidance or nurturance and now, as a high school student is showing rebellious self-destructive behaviour, including smoking, drinking, dressing provocatively, and staying out late at night. With her two younger children, she is able to offer more conscientious care and guidance.

As a single mother, raising three children, Julie stresses that her children are the most important thing in the world to her and her biggest challenge is the struggle to "get it together" as she copes with a psychiatric disorder. She desperately wants to make life better for her children and is enrolled in academic upgrading with the goal of obtaining her high school equivalency. Julie's self-esteem is extremely fragile and when she has to contact the school, she indicates she feels very inadequate. She comments that she wonders if she "would ever do anything right"! Julie has no family around to offer parenting models to help her and she draws on her friends for strength and support. She relies on an overall spirituality to give her inner strength and meaning in her life.