From the age of 12 to 18 I kept a diary while my adopted brother was spiraling out of control under the influence of fetal alcohol issues and bipolar disorder. Nothing might have come of this, except that I was a budding writer, and my journal entries had a certain readability and interest that I recognize now as an adult. So this is our family's story. I share it in the hope that it will give perspective and courage to others who may be going through hard times.