I would like to clarify a few things. Yes my brother and I had the same loving parents, but I am aware we had very different childhood experiences. Max had darker skin in a predominantly white town, while also carrying the knowledge that his birth mother gave him up. I believe both of these things absolutely contributed to his addiction. Also, my brother was adopted right after he was born, so the first ten months in Mexico he was with my family, not his birth mother. Thank you so much Mark and Elle for allowing me to share my story.