Search Results: dysfunctional families

**possible trigger warning**
I've been through a lot of crap in my life that I'd rather like to forget (haven't we all after a few decades, though?). As a very young child I began to suffer physical and emotional abuse at the hands of my own family. My older brother, who was supposed to be my protector, beat me every day from the time I was 6 until I was 15. I'm not talking about hair-pulling and teasing. I'm talking about countless black eyes, busted lips, bruises everywhere, a dislocated jaw (3 times), and several occurances of pissing blood. It was so bad that everyday was a waking nightmare spent in fear of the next time a fist comes hurtling down into my face or stomach or back. No one gave a damn. My parents were never there and when they were they were beating my a** as well (belts, wire coat hangers, extension cords and one very memorable experience of having a skateboard flung at my head). They were supposed to protect me and didn't seem to see a problem with having a child that's face is constantly black and blue. At 12 I suffered year long sexual abuse (rape, sodomy) from a family friend that was living with us. I was screwed up. I didn't even know for a long time that this wasn't how all families acted. When I got away at 15 I had such a hard time dealing with it all that I tried to commit suicide and was institutionalized for a little while to keep from hurting myself. But that was a long time ago. About 16 years, anyway. I still suffer from PTSD and major trust issues but my life is better than it ever has been. I have a family (husband, kids) and they are my life. They saved me from myself, in a way.
I heard recently (from an in-law) that people who go through things like that are damaged and basically worthless. That we all end up as drug addicts or prostitutes or abusers ourselves. It made me very upset because I am none of these things. I've tried very hard to be a decent person and leave my past in the past.
Do you think that I am an exception to this? Is it really that impossible to be a good person after all of that? Anything you'd have to say, I'd like to hear. Any comments will be much appreciated.

To what degree?

My family definitely has their days. Parents are split up/divorced, Mom is bipolar, Dad has heart problems and is NPD, my brother is mysterious and secretive, and my sister is always trying to be exactly like me and acts like my parents sometimes.