I Became a Burden to My Father after I Lost the Ability to Walk – Story of the Day
I was paralyzed and trapped in a wheelchair in an accident, and my father refused to be burdened with me. But then he gets taught an important lesson.
I was 19 when I was run over by a car on my way to work. For me, it was the end of the world: a screech of tires, darkness, and pain. And when I woke up, I heard the voices say I’d never walk again.
I kept asking for my father, but he only showed up three days later, looking the worse for the wear and I knew he’d been on a bender while I’d lain there fighting for my life.
She was injured in a horrible accident | Source: Shutterstock.com
My mother died when I was 12, a victim of breast cancer. I remember her as a sweet, weary woman, always cringing from my father’s cruel words, working to keep food on the table while he drank his paycheck away.
As soon as I turned 14, he ordered me to find a part-time job to help with the bills, and when I was 16, I dropped out of school and started working full time to support myself — and him.
But when my father finally arrived at the hospital to visit me, there was neither compassion nor gratitude in his eyes. The doctor explained that although my spine was not severed there had been severe bruising and compression.
I might — by a long shot — recover my ability to walk, but most likely, I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. And that was when my father walked away. He said to the doctor, “She’s over 18, isn’t she? She’s an adult, right? So she’s not my responsibility anymore. You take her.”
My father was an alcoholic | Source: Unsplash
I remember my doctor’s horrified expression and my father’s gaze sweeping over my limp legs. “Useless! Useless like your mother!”
Those were the last words I’d hear from him for the next six years. A little while later I was transferred to a recovery center where I was lucky enough to be assigned to a therapist named Carol Hanson.
Family is built on love, not a biological bond, or shared DNA.
She was an older, motherly woman who immediately took me under her wing. Carol was as loving as she was demanding, and she was very demanding. Over the next year, she pushed me towards a recovery I’d never dreamed possible.
The day I stood on my own two feet and took my first step, I cried like a baby, and so did Carol. It was only the beginning, and the next few months I worked even harder, but finally was pronounced healthy.
I woke to discover I was paralyzed | Source: Unsplash
It was a bittersweet moment for me. I was healed from my injury and I was walking again, but I was terrified. I had nowhere to go, no family. I was all alone in the world.
Carol walked in and found me crying. She sat beside me on the bed and put her arms around me. “Jenny,” she said to me, “it’s all right to be scared. You’re starting your life again.”
“I have no one, and nowhere to go,” I whispered, remembering other patients leaving surrounded by loving family, “I’m alone.”
“No you’re not,” Carol said firmly, “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. Would you like to move in with me? Just until you get your life together again…”
I was stuck in a wheelchair | Source: Unsplash
So I did, and it was lovely. Carol and I got on beautifully, and she gave me my own room, a pretty room, the prettiest I’d ever seen. “It was my daughter’s,” Carol explained with tears in her eyes. “I lost her like you lost your mother.”
I started googling for jobs the next day on Carol’s computer, but when I came down to breakfast there were some informative flyers on the table from the local high school announcing night classes for adults wanting to complete their secondary education.
“I think,” said Carol firmly, “that you need to go back to school so you can go back to college.”
My mouth dropped open. “College? I can’t afford college!” I gasped. “Carol, I don’t have a cent to my name and no way to support myself if I don’t get a job, and quickly.”
The physiotherapist helped me heal | Source: Pexels
Carol shook her head: “No, Jenny, you can’t afford NOT to go to college. Listen, I will lend you the money, and when you graduate, you pay me back — just like a student loan with a bank.”
Anyway, she talked me into it, and I quickly completed the high school certification I needed and applied to the local college. I’ll admit Carol’s example inspired me to become a nurse, and four years later, I graduated summa cum laude.
I started working at a local hospital and ended up specializing in neo-natal care. One day, a TV crew came in to do a news story on a set of identical triplets and ended up interviewing me.
For a while, I was a bit of a celebrity, but the attention brought me an unwanted visitor. The doorbell rang and when I opened it, I was stunned to see my father standing there.
I became a nurse | Source: Pixabay
He looked terrible, like a bum, and he reeked of alcohol and sweat. “Jenny, my sweet baby girl!” he cried, reaching out his hands. “I’ve finally found you again.”
“Found me again?” I asked sharply, “You abandoned me in the hospital because I was useless, remember, like my mother?”
He squeezed out a few tears. “Oh my baby,” he sobbed. “Forgive me, I was frightened and in shock… You won’t turn your dad away now, would you? I haven’t been well…”
“You look fine to me,” I told him coldly, but my trained eye had already noted the yellow tinge to his skin and eyes. He had some kind of liver disorder, probably due to his drinking.
An unexpected visitor | Source: Pixabay
He shuffled forward. “I’m sick, Jenny, daddy really needs you…And…” he licked his lips thirstily. “And I’m broke, baby, no money for food…You’re not going to let your daddy go hungry, are you?”
“Like you left me to my fate? Helpless in a wheelchair? Guess what ‘DADDY,’ I am. Get out.” I slammed the door in his face and walked back into the lounge.
Carol looked up at me and smiled. “Who was that, Jenny?”
“Oh, just some man selling something!” I went to the sofa, sat down beside Carol, and hugged her fiercely. Carol hugged me back.
Carol adopted me | Source: Pexels
“Jenny,” she said, “there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. Would you allow me to adopt you? Become your mother? Because in my heart you already are my daughter.”
I started crying and I just couldn’t stop. I had been cursed with a terrible childhood, and now as an adult, I had been lucky enough to find a loving home and a parent who cherished me.
What can we learn from this story?
1. Family is built on love, not a biological bond, or shared DNA.
2. What you give is what you get, as Jenny’s father discovered.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a beautiful socialite who humiliates an old friend and ends up regretting it.
This account is inspired by our reader’s story but written by a professional writer. All names have been changed to protect identities and ensure privacy. Share your story with us, maybe it will change someone’s life.
I Found Receipts for Thousands of Dollars in Dresses and Jewelry in My Husband’s Drawer — The Truth behind Them Broke My Heart
I Found Receipts for Thousands of Dollars in Dresses and Jewelry in My Husband’s Drawer — The Truth behind Them Broke My Heart
Carla thought she had everything nailed down with her perfect husband Andrew and their lively bunch of kids. But things got weird when she found receipts for fancy gifts in Andrew’s drawer—none of which were for her. As she digs deeper, what she uncovers could shake up everything she thought she knew about trust and loyalty.
A pile of receipts | Source: Flickr
Hey everyone, I’m Carla, and I guess I’m here because I really need to sort out my thoughts and maybe get some of your perspectives. I’m 28, married to the love of my life, Andrew, who’s 34. We’ve been together for almost a decade now, and honestly, he’s been nothing short of amazing.
Man giving a grateful woman a gift | Source: Pixabay
We have three adorable little ones—ages 6, 3, and 2—and I’m currently expecting our fourth. You could say our home is always bustling with energy and tiny giggles, which I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Little girl kissing a pregnant belly | Source: Pexels
Andrew has been an incredible partner through and through. He’s the kind of dad who’s not only present but really involved. He does school runs, helps with homework, and can get all the kids bathed and in bed almost as well as I can.
Man assisting a little girl with schoolwork | Source: Pixabay
And as a husband? He’s been my rock, especially during this pregnancy, which has honestly been a bit tougher than the last ones. But here’s where things got complicated.
Man kissing a pregnant woman’s belly | Source: Pixabay
Recently, I decided to do a big clean-up, you know, to make room for our new bundle of joy. It was going pretty smoothly until I opened one of Andrew’s drawers looking for some old photographs.
A desk with drawers | Source: Pixabay
Instead of pictures, I found a bunch of receipts tucked away under some papers. These weren’t just any receipts—they were for thousands of dollars’ worth of fancy dresses and jewelry. And none of it was ever gifted to me.
A woman looking at a piece of paper on a desk | Source: Pexels
I can’t even describe how I felt at that moment, my heart just sank. I started piecing things together in my head, and all signs pointed to something I never imagined: was Andrew cheating on me? It felt like my perfect little world was just starting to crumble around me.
Woman in shock | Source: Shutterstock
That evening was one of the longest of my life. I was a mess of nerves and anxiety, pacing back and forth in our bedroom, waiting for Andrew to come home.
The receipts lay spread out on our bed like some sort of accusation, each one a sharp reminder of my growing doubts. I rehearsed what I would say, how I would confront him, but when I finally heard the garage door open, all my plans just dissolved into a wave of fear and sadness.
Pregnant woman sitting on a chair with a dog by her feet | Source: Pixabay
Andrew walked into our bedroom, cheerful as he usually is after work, ready to tell me about his day, but he stopped mid-sentence when he saw the receipts and the look on my face.
“Carla, what’s wrong?” he asked, his smile fading into confusion and then concern as he picked up one of the receipts.
Man in a suit enters room with a serious expression | Source: Pexels
“Why, Andrew? All these receipts for fancy stuff, and none of it’s for me? What’s going on?” My voice was shaky, the hurt clear in my tone as I confronted him with the evidence strewn across our bed.
Woman with an expression of shock and confusion | Source: Shutterstock
Andrew’s face went from confused to pale as he quickly picked up one of the receipts. “Oh, Carla… I can explain. Please, just hear me out,” he said, his voice full of worry, not the guilt I was bracing myself for.
“Explain? Andrew, are these for someone else? Are you… seeing someone?” The words tasted bitter, and I struggled to hold back tears.
Man leaning forward with his hands joined together | Source: Pexels
“No, no, not at all, Carla. These aren’t what you think. They’re not for a lover or anything like that.” He stepped closer, his hands reaching out, but I wasn’t ready to be comforted, not yet. “Remember Jenny’s sister, Angela? I’ve been helping her out.”
“Angela?” My voice cracked, a mix of confusion and a flicker of relief starting to pierce the initial shock.
Woman looking confused | Source: Shutterstock
“Yeah, Angela. You know, Jenny’s little sister. After Jenny died, her family kind of fell apart. Angela’s mom went to prison, and things just got worse from there. I’ve known Angela since she was a baby. She needed someone, and I was able to help. So I did.” His eyes pleaded for understanding.
A young woman looking afar | Source: Pixabay
He explained how he’d been quietly looking out for her, making sure she had what she needed to feel normal—prom dresses, a car for her 16th birthday, a little sparkle for her graduation—stuff that made her happy, made her feel valued in a world that hadn’t been kind.
A young girl hugging the hood of a blue car | Source: Freepik
“Why keep this a secret from me?” I finally asked, the initial shock giving way to a tangled feeling of relief and concern.
“I thought I was protecting you—from extra stress, from worrying over this. I wanted to handle it myself.” He looked sincere, earnest.
Man bowing down in sorrow | Source: Shutterstock
I took his hand, finally, feeling the old, familiar comfort in his touch. But inside, my thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions—grateful for his honesty, yet overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what he’d been doing all this time.
A man and woman holding hands | Source: Pexels
As Andrew finished explaining, I felt this huge wave of emotions crashing over me. Relief, confusion, a bit of anger, and a whole lot of surprise.
I mean, here was my husband, a guy who’s already super dad and super hubby, also playing hero to a girl who’s had a rough life. It’s sweet, it’s noble, but also, why didn’t I know any of this?
Woman looking bothered | Source: Shutterstock
I had to sit down. My mind was racing, trying to process everything. “Andrew, I just… This is a lot. You’ve been like a father to her?”
“Yeah, I guess I have,” he admitted, sitting beside me. He looked drained, like a weight was lifted but another was put right back on. “Angela’s been through so much, Carla. And I was there through all of it. I just wanted to make sure she had opportunities, just like our kids.”
Distraught man wraps his arm around a distraught woman | Source: Shutterstock
I understood that, I really did. But there was this nagging feeling in the back of my mind. “And now a wedding, and a house? Andrew, that’s huge. That’s like… our kids’ college fund huge.”
He sighed, running his hands through his hair. “I know, I know it sounds like a lot. But Clara’s wedding is important to her, and the house, it’s not just any house. It’s a start for her new life with her husband. I want to give her that.”
Bride looking happy on her wedding day | Source: Pixabay
“But what about us? Our family?” I asked, my voice shaky. I mean, we’re doing okay financially, but we aren’t millionaires. Our youngest has had health issues, and those bills aren’t small. We have plans, savings for the kids’ schools, their future.
Woman gesturing as if explaining | Source: Pexels
Andrew turned to me, his eyes earnest. “Carla, I promise, this isn’t going to hurt us. I’ve got it figured out. Angela is like family too, and I can’t turn my back on her, not when I have the means to help.”
Man explaining to a woman | Source: Pexels
His conviction was clear, and it tugged at my heart. He was doing something wonderful, but at what cost? I was torn between admiring the man I love and worrying about whether his generosity might stretch us too thin.
Woman in deep thought | Source: Pexels
“Andrew, I love how big your heart is, but we need to think about balance,” I said softly, trying to keep the peace but needing to be honest about my fears. “Our kids, our baby on the way, they have to come first. We need a plan, something that includes Angela but also protects our family.”
Woman with her palms up as she speaks | Source: Pexels
“Yeah, you’re right. We should have a plan,” he agreed, nodding slowly. “I should have talked to you about this a long time ago. I’m sorry I didn’t.”
A man looking pensive seated on a chair | Source: Pexels
Sitting there with Andrew, still holding hands, I felt like my head was spinning. “We’ve really got to get our budget straight, especially with the new baby almost here,” I said, trying to steady my voice.
“Yeah, I know,” Andrew replied, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll figure this out together.”
Two hands holding a pregnant belly | Source: Pexels
That helped, but there was a whole tangle of feelings inside me that wasn’t so easy to smooth out. “We need to set some clear boundaries, Andrew. It’s great that you want to help Angela, but our kids have to come first. They depend on us.”
Man touching his pregnant wife’s belly as they stare at each other | Source: Pexels
Andrew nodded, looking thoughtful. “You’re right. I guess I’ve let things slide too far. I wanted to give Angela the chances Jenny never had. But I see now, it’s gotten out of hand.”
Man looking sullen | Source: Pexels
It was a relief to hear him say that, but it didn’t fix everything right away. How do you balance helping someone you care about with taking care of your own family? Where do you draw the line?
“We’ll work out a plan,” he said, trying to sound confident. But I could tell he was as torn as I was. This wasn’t just about money; it was about his past, about loyalty, and about doing the right thing without letting it hurt our family.
Man gesturing to a woman listening to him | Source: Pexels
We sat there in the quiet, long after the kids were asleep, not saying much as we both lost ourselves in thought. I knew Andrew had been dealing with this alone for a long time, and now that I was in on it, the responsibility felt both heavy and important.
Man and woman sitting in silence as the woman cuts up some grapes | Source: Pexels
I still wasn’t sure what the right answer was. How do we make sure our family’s needs are met without turning our backs on Angela? It felt like we were at a crossroads, and I really wasn’t sure which way was the right way to go.
Woman looking out the window | Source: Pexels
What would you do in my shoes? Should I ask Andrew to dial it back with helping Angela, given everything going on with our family right now? How do you choose between supporting someone who’s practically family, even if not by blood, and taking care of your own family’s immediate needs?
I’m really curious to hear your thoughts. Would you put your foot down, or would you find a way to keep supporting both our kids and Angela without hesitation? How do you balance the past that’s shaped your present with the future you need to build for your children?
A family watching the sunset | Source: Pixabay
Would you put your foot down, or just try to keep supporting both our kids and Angela without missing a beat? How do you juggle the stuff from the past that still hangs around with the future you’re trying to build for your kids?
Thanks for listening, and I appreciate any advice or experiences you might want to share.
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