The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
On a morning talk show, a woman, covered her face, refused to give her name and made them change her voice and outted the husband and daughter of the woman who killed her two teen kids for being "mouthy".
The reporter said that "in an alanon 12 step meeting, Parker Schenecker and his daughter cried and told the group that his wife (her mother) was a drug addict and alcoholic."
I cannot believe this. I literally sat there with my jaw dropped and was stunned. Absolutely stunned. And the woman who was doing the outting KNEW she was doing something wrong as she made sure she was not identified.
It makes me sick to now have this "mark" against alanon. I can't imagibe how many lives that women single handedly ruined. There were people out there watching that morning show, NEEDING alanon, possibly considering making it a meeting today who will now never walk thru those doors because of one ignorant, sick person.
Yes, I know it will blow over and those who really need it will find it. But today, I am FURIOUS that our main principle of annonimity has been blown all for the sake of someone's 15 minutes of fame. Sick.
I agree this is absolutely unsettling and unacceptable!!!!
My feeling is that many will be turned off al anon for good . They will laugh and say "Look what good al anon did for that family The addict killed the children and no one stopped her"
I do understand that Alanon participation is based on attraction rather than promotion and that when people reach a bottom they will find us.Then they will ready to hear
It is just sad to have our principles abused by a member.
-- Edited by hotrod on Tuesday 1st of February 2011 03:45:08 PM
Freeagain, this is indeed disturbing. Was this woman who did the outting a member of the Al-anon group that Parker and his daughter attended? Therefore breaking the anonymity of Parker? This is what I understand from your post. This is indeed disturbing. This definitely breaks Tradition 11.
Free, you also made a good point however, this person's "15 minutes of fame" will blow over. Al-anon will survive. It has survived some 50 years, so it will survive another 50 years.
"nothing changes until something changes"
Overcome
-- Edited by Overcome on Tuesday 1st of February 2011 03:52:01 PM
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I can Overcome all things through my HP who strengthens me.
Let's see what a Higher Power can do with this. I know how sick I was when I first got here and learned the steps and traditions. For a long time honestly I could not be trusted to be found in "progress" and perfection wasn't a serious thought then either. In the end and everyday since I get another opportunity for growth. I only have to work my program that I can assure myself and others I will keep the principle of anonymity both of my own affilitation and my alcoholic.
HP can use this in ways that I cannot. (((((hugs)))))
Imagine the bad rap AA has received through all the years... and yet it's still going strong.
I'm sure this isn't the one and only time an Al-Anon member has broken anonymity at the level of press, radio, TV or film in the past with some potentially damaging words... I doubt it'll be the last, either. But here we are. Al-Anon is still here, still helping millions of people worldwide.
I too was stunned by this when I saw it. It is one thing for the father of those poor children to come out and say it. It is his choice to break the anonymity, but for another Alanoner to do that boggles the mind. Hard enough for the father to loose his children (and his wife in many ways) while serving our country, but then this. I don't understand it. Yes Aloha I fear for what this may do to the many recovering addicts or those who are trying to recover. As always Jerry you are right, HP must have a plan in all this. I just wish I knew what it was. We'll have to wait in see. Meanwhile I offer prayers for all those involved in this terrible tragedy.
Live strong, Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
