asimpleservant-I have to respond to your post.
I went to Dallas with my highschool diploma waving in the wind and was offered two jobs as a department Director, both executive positions. I was working on my degree, but was no where near having it. I took with me my experience from my previous employer where I worked my way into the executive committee after one year of employment. My sister who is a brilliant person, and an ex-witness has had a different experience in the work field. I remember her crying out in field service the first time she had to 'take' a door at age nine.
Your point that people who did not like growing up a witness or simply did not look at the experience correctly, is not supported by anything but your own personal experience. Look around you at other people and you'll see that success is a highly personal accomplishment based upon many different factors. Personality is a big one, I tease my sister about being a (brilliant) nerd and she teases me about being a (charming) car salesman. We have both attained success ex-witness, but it has been how our personalities have adapted to the work environment, and how we are able to engage other people that has led us each down a different path-to the same spot..
I think you are being harsh and critical of the others on this thread. I defend every person who has posted here and thank them for being open and honest. I am sorry for the way you were raised. Raising any child away from society, keeping them from learning social skills and interpersonal relationship management is not responsible parenting. You just worked your way through it -as many survivors do (think: inner city kids, third world country children, survivors of abuse).