<p>Lewis, I answer as a friend: I advise you to work on growing a thicker skin. You may have overcome burdens in the past, but your post is an overreaction. I understand how fencersmom’s comments can be construed as abrasive, but even in the worst possible light she’s being no tougher than, well, college admissions counselors (specifically, Hillsdale College admissions counselors). And if you think they’re tough, wait until job interviews, especially if Obamanomics keeps on its merry path. </p>
<p>You’d do well to explain your history to your admissions counselor, but you will have to work on telling it objectively. The way you tell it here, complete with the word “suffer”… dude, it’s not like you beat cancer and lost your parents in a car accident. Low self-esteem? Severely low self-esteem? Most adults call that puberty. I’m not here to chide you, but if you think the world is going to walk on eggshells and make you feel special when you can’t offer up what you are contributing (aside from “nonconformity,” a value you will seldom hear about outside of high school) , you’re dreaming.</p>