Hi Jacey, thanks for reading and for leaving a comment! It's really this community that it's given me a new sense that people care and want to help each other.

I think one of the problems of dealing with a legacy of abuse is that I don't know what avenues and choices are available to me. It took 30 something years for me to realize that I could have spoken to the teacher & the principal about this and that I should have.

I love your comment that "If it still hurts you that's all you need to know." This is what I'd like to internalize and for anyone who has been through difficulties to internalize. I think when a person's feelings has been chronically dismissed, one can start doubting oneself.

Thanks for the note of encouragement!