Mom Doesn’t Recognize Her Disabled Daughter after Leaving Her with Stepdad

After Michelle’s mom abandons her with her stepdad, the teenage girl vows to prove she isn’t a burden by becoming successful. After overcoming many obstacles, Michelle comes face-to-face with the woman who left her behind.

Michelle didnt realize something was wrong until her stepdad, Eugene, collapsed onto the sofa and started crying. Theyd just arrived home and discovered a note from Mom on the coffee table. That same note now lay on the seat beside Eugene.

Michelle navigated her wheelchair through the gap between the sofa and the armchair. She leaned over and snatched up the note.

“Michelle, dont.” Eugene reached to grab the note.

Michelle reversed out of his reach. She needed to know what the heck was going on. She held the page in one hand. Her fingers shook as she scanned her mothers words:

“I cant do it anymore. You know I never wanted children, but I tried my best to care for Michelle anyway. That burden has taken the best years of my life from me. But now that shes sixteen, Ive decided its time I pursue my dream of becoming an actress before its too late…”

Michelle didnt read the rest. She crumpled the page in her fist as tears poured down her cheeks. Burden…was that all she was? An accidental pregnancy that further encumbered her mother by needing extra care? Her gaze snapped across to Eugene.

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“And what about you?” Michelle asked. “Am I a burden to you too? Its not like Im your real daughter so nobody would blame you if you dumped me somewhere like a dog.”

“Never!” Eugene rushed over, dropped to one knee, and wrapped his arms around Michelle.

“I dont understand what has possessed your mother but I love you like my own, Shelly, and Ill never abandon you.”

Michelle returned Eugenes hug, but Moms words were seared into her thoughts. It wasnt like shed asked to be like this. It wasnt like she enjoyed depending on others for help with her catheter, physiotherapy, or anything else.

Eugene wiped the tears from Michelles cheeks with his thumbs. “Look at me, Shelly, and listen close, okay? This is…well, its an awful and shocking situation, but youve done nothing wrong. It will be tough, but well carry on without her, okay?”

Carry on? No. Michelle decided right then to do whatever it took to prove her mother wrong. One day, when she was wildly successful, shed get a detective to find her mom so she could flaunt her achievements in her mothers face.

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Michelle worked hard at school and graduated top of her class. Several colleges offered her scholarships, and her friends were shocked when she chose to major in film studies.

“Are you sure this is what you really want?” Eugene asked while they ate dinner. “You have so many career options available to you and Im concerned youre choosing film for all the wrong reasons.”

Michelle pursed her lips. “I want to be a director, Eugene. Whats wrong with that?”

“Nothing…so long as you arent doing it because of your mother.”

Michelle shrugged and turned her attention back to her dinner. “I like movies, you know that, and I really want to get into cinematography. That woman has nothing to do with it.”

Shed never admit to Eugene, or anyone else, that she often imagined her mother staring at her in shock after appearing to audition for a movie Michelle was directing.

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The other students stared openly at Michelle as she entered the room. A young woman with bright magenta hair leaned over to whisper something to her friend, and both girls sniggered. Michelle didnt think much about it until a few days later.

The instructor asked about the movie the class had watched the day before. Lila, the girl with magenta hair, answered with a ridiculous rant about physical film being superior to digital shooting.

“I disagree,” Michelle said. “I think there are benefits and drawbacks to both. Although theres a certain look and feel you can only get from physical film, digital allows you a greater range of editing options that might be more suitable for the project youre filming.”

“Only if youre lazy,” Lila snapped. She didnt expect the new girl in a wheelchair to challenge her opinion like that. How dare she?

Lilas eyes flickered with anger as she blurted, “Digital can never beat the authenticity of a movie shot on actual film. Its just not realistic.”

Michelle rolled her eyes.

“Well, you can shoot silent movies in monochrome if you like, but everyone else is in the twenty-first century.”

Many students laughed at Michelle’s reply and started teasing Lila. The instructor broke up the argument and urged the students to return to the topic, but Lila glared at Michelle for the remainder of the class.

The day wasnt going to end well for Michelle. After classes finished for the day, Lila and her friends cornered Michelle in an empty corridor.

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“You dont belong here,” Lila snarled as she loomed over Michelle. “And I want you out of my class.”

“Your class?” Michelle arched her eyebrows. “Get over yourself.”

Michelle turned and forced her wheelchair through a gap between two of Lilas friends. As she headed away, her wheelchair lurched and tipped backward.

“Not so fast.” Lila sneered at her. She had a tight grip on Michelles wheelchair handles and was now steering her toward a utility closet.

“Hey, let me go!” Michelle couldnt turn efficiently with her front wheels off the ground. “What the hell do you think youre doing?”

“Showing you whos in charge here,” Lila replied. “I didnt come to film school to listen to hacks like you.”

“Are you crazy?” Michelle reached back and tried to pry Lilas hands off her wheelchair. “Just because you dont agree with me, doesnt mean you get to stuff me in a closet.”

“Oh, dont I? Youre the one who has a problem here,” Lila yelled. “All my life I had to listen to freaks like you dissing actually good movies because all your feeble mind can comprehend is that bull that gets churned out for making money. Theres no way Im going to listen to it in film classes too. Not if I can help it. And the next time you want to cut me off, think about this moment right here.”

“Dont do this, Lila. Just let me go.”

“Not until youve learned your lesson.” Lila grinned as she closed the closet room door and turned the light off.

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A janitor found Michelle half an hour later and called campus security.

“I dont think you should return to college until that girl has been expelled,” Eugene said. “Its too dangerous.”

Michelle sighed.

“I dont know what to do, Eugene. I dont understand how a person can be so fanatical about such a nonissue that theyd hurt someone else.”

“Some people are just…” Eugene shook his head. “I dont know. But you cant take the risk that shell bully you again.”

“Ive already pressed charges.” Michelle took Eugenes hand in hers. “I wont let her get away with this. Thank you, Eugene.”

Eugene frowned. “But I havent done anything.”

“Youve been there for me whenever I needed you.” Michelle smiled. “I cant tell you how much I love and appreciate you.”

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“We might have a tough fight ahead of us.” Michelles lawyer, Mr. Abubakar, said as he studied Michelles paperwork. “Your bully, Lila, comes from a wealthy family and is sure to appear in court with an entire stable of lawyers.” Mr. Abubakar lifted his gaze to Michelle. “Are you sure youre up for this?”

Michelle nodded. “Absolutely.”

“Good. You have a strong case, but I must warn you that nothing is certain. With enough time and resources, which our opposition definitely has, even the strongest case can be sunk when it reaches judge and jury.”

“I understand. Im not afraid of a fight, Mr. Abubakar and Ill do everything I can to help you.” Michelle leaned forward and looked into her lawyers eyes. “Even if she does get away with this, I want to know that I did everything in my power to see her punished for bullying me.”

Mr. Abubakar smiled. “Okay, lets meet again in about a weeks time. Well discuss our strategy then.”

Michelle reached across the desk to shake Mr. Abubakars hand. “Ill see you then.”

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Over the next week, Michelle spent all her free time researching legal procedures and precedents for assault cases like hers. It was slow work initially since she didnt understand most of the legalese, but she slowly became more familiar with the terms.

When she returned to Mr. Abubakars office, she brought a folder of notes and a legal book shed loaned from the college library.

“I hope you dont mind, but Ive done some research and found some interesting information that may be helpful.”

Michelle lifted the folder from her lap and presented it to him.

Mr. Abubakar took the folder and scanned the first page. His brow furrowed in concentration as he turned the page.

“This is useful.” He smiled at Michelle. “Id already noted some of these cases, but there are others here that I can reference too.”

“Great.” Michelle grinned. “I was a bit concerned it might be too basic.”

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Mr. Abubakar shook his head. “No, youve done a good job here, just like a trained paralegal. Have you been taking classes in law?”

Michelle shook her head. “I just have a knack for research.”

Mr. Abubakar began discussing the strategy he wanted to use for Michelles case. While he searched his desk for a document he wanted to show her, Michelles eyes were drawn to a collection of framed pictures and handwritten notes hanging on the wall below Mr. Abubakars diplomas.

“Omg, thats a famous actor,” Michelle exclaimed. “Do you know him?”

MR. Abubakar chuckled. “All of those thank-you notes and photos are from former clients. I used to be a junior partner in a bigshot entertainment firm.”

“Why did you leave?”

“Job satisfaction.” Mr. Abubakar shrugged. “My younger self was starstruck by the opportunity to work with all those famous people and movie studios, but eventually, I realized I was just helping strong people bully the little folk into deals that didnt benefit them.” He frowned. “Thats not the type of person I wanted to be.”

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Just as Mr. Abubakar predicted, Lila appeared in court with a team of four lawyers and their aides. Lila smirked at Michelle as the proceedings got underway, but Mr. Abubaker soon turned her smirk into a furious pout.

Despite all of Lilas lawyers efforts to get the case dismissed, Michelle and Mr. Abubakar didnt give up.

They fought hard, and eventually, the jury had to vote in Michelles favor. Lila was sentenced to community service.

“Thank you, Mr. Abubakar. I cant tell you how much this means to me.” Michelle said as she left the courthouse with her lawyer.

Mr. Abubakar smiled. “This is why I do this job, Michelle, to ensure the little guys get a fair chance. Its something you could do too, you know.”

Michelle frowned. “What do you mean?”

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“You have a knack for law. I noticed it while we were putting your case together.” Mr. Abubakar moved closer. “Ive heard bad stories about the kids that go to the arts section of your college. You dont belong among cruel people like that, Michelle. You could become a great lawyer and fight against the injustices in this system with me.”

Michelle was intrigued by Mr. Abubakars suggestion but ultimately shrugged it off. She was committed to becoming a director and, although she would never admit it, her vision of one day meeting her mother again.

Michelle returned to college but soon realized it wouldnt be so easy to escape what happened between her and Lila. Even though Lila had been expelled, her friends clearly held a grudge against Michelle and were determined to make her suffer.

Several students snickered when Michelle passed them on her way to class. She didnt think much about it until she saw a second group of students who openly pointed at her and burst out laughing. Then, Michelle saw the posters.

Somebody had photoshopped her face onto several pictures of naked women and put them all over the walls. Vile slurs had been scrawled across the images using a red marker.

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Michelle halted in the corridor leading to her first class and stared at the pictures surrounding her. They were everywhere! She burst into tears and turned, wheeling away as fast as she could.

Michelle called Mr. Abubakar soon as she got home. “You were right.” She sniffed and wiped away her tears.

“The other kids at school are still targeting me and even the administration doesnt seem to care.”

“Do you want to fight them again?” Mr. Abubakar asked. “Because well need some proof to catch the people behind this.”

“I do want to fight them and everyone in this world who is cruel and bullies others. Ive decided to become a lawyer like you, Mr. Abubakar. Someone who uses their power to fight the evil people in this world. I plan to switch majors tomorrow, and Id like to know if youd mentor me?”

“It would be my honor, Michelle.”

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Seven years later

Michelle completed her law degree and, following Mr. Abubakars advice, she worked in a large firm for two years.

You need to know how they cheat the system so you can beat them, hed said, and she soon realized he was right. When she could no longer stomach the twisted practices of the big firm, Michelle struck out on her own.

She set up her office and made a good income. Eventually, she put up a sign advertising free legal services for needy people on Fridays. Unfortunately, her health deteriorated during this time. Surgery for her medical condition hadnt been viable before due to the risks, but now Michelle had no choice.

After taking an extended leave to recover from surgery and complete her rehabilitation program, Michelle returned to her office. She parked her wheelchair in a corner of the room and slowly walked to her desk to sit in her brand-new office chair.

It was weird to use her legs. She’d gone into surgery with nothing but the hope that she’d survive and be able to continue doing good for her community. Some people had even congratulated her on social media afterward, as though being able to walk now made her complete. She’d blocked them all.

Her first client arrived soon and distracted Michelle from her inner turmoil. Michelle stared at her in disbelief when the woman entered her office.

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“Is it true that you help people for free if they cant afford to pay you?” Michelles mother, Iris, asked. “I don’t have a job and I dont have any money.”

Michelle put her hands together in a prayer position before her face. Could it be that her own mother didnt recognize her?

Michelle thought about how shed looked as a teenager. Shed worn her dark hair short in a boyish cut, so it was easier to care for, and she wore glasses all the time because she was so short-sighted.

Now, shed replaced her glasses with contacts, grown her hair to shoulder-length, and dyed it blond. Was that all it took to fool a mother who hadnt seen her child for years?

“I guess I was mistaken.” Iris rose to leave, but Michelle gestured to her to wait.

“No, youre right. I just…” Michelle hesitated on the verge of confronting the woman but didnt know how. It was easier to focus on the job.

“I do work pro bono,” Michelle continued. “Please tell me why you need legal help.”

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Michelle had often imagined reuniting with her mother when she was younger. Most of her daydreams featured Michelle in a position of power, the epitome of success. On the other hand, her mother would be wretched with need and apologize profusely to Michelle as she begged a favor.

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Having her daydreams play out, in reality, was not at all as satisfying as shed imagined. Iris was in big trouble. Shed crashed into an influential businessmans luxury car while driving drunk, and the mans lawyers intended to throw the book at her.

“Honestly, I dont think I can get you off entirely, but we can push for a reduced sentence, possibly even community service. Ill need more details but first, can I offer you something to drink?”

Michelle stumbled as she returned with refreshments for them. Iris quickly caught her elbow.

“Are you okay?” Iris asked.

Michelle nodded and pointed to her wheelchair in the corner. “Im still getting used to walking.”

Iris nodded absently. Michelle had thought this might be the clue her mother needed to recognize her but no, Iris still had no idea that her lawyer was the daughter she abandoned.

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Michelle met with Iris several times leading up to the court date. Each time, Michelle wondered if that would be the day her mother recognized her, but she never did. Oddly, this was precisely what Michelle needed to bury her demons.

Michelle fought hard in court and was successful. The judge lowered the sentence to a year in prison or a fine. Michelle was satisfied, but when she turned to Iris, the woman was in tears.

“I still have no money to pay the fine,” Iris sobbed. “Ill have to go to jail after all.”

On impulse, Michelle turned back to the judge.

“If the court will permit it, Id like to pay the fine on my clients behalf so she can go home immediately.”

“Why would you do this for me?” Iris wrapped her hand around Michelles wrist.

“You really dont recognize me at all?” Michelle tipped her head. “This may refresh your memory.”

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Michelle reached into her case and removed a note. It was heavily creased from being read and crumpled up several times over the years, but Iriss words were still clearly legible.

“This can’t be real.” Iris stared at her openmouthed.

“You can keep that, I dont need it anymore.” Michelle started to pack up her things. “Im sorry you didnt get to be an actress after all, but I hope you enjoyed living for yourself.”

“Wait, Michelle. We need to talk.”

“No.” Michelle shook her head. “You didnt even recognize me, your own daughter. And I know I dont look exactly the same as the kid you walked out on, but come on!”

“Please, just let me explain.”

Michelle walked out of the courtroom and left her mother behind once and for all. She paid the fine, then returned to her office to help her next client.

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What can we learn from this story?

Revenge won’t lead to happiness. Michelle planned her life around meeting her mother so she could get back at her, and it only brought her unhappiness. Success and joy came to her once she committed to helping others instead.Make peace with your past. Everyone endures periods of suffering but the only way to move forward is to find a way to let go of the hurt.

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 man who sends weekly letters to his estranged son, seemingly in vain, until one day he gets a reply.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.

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