Margaret Clayton: Brave Chelsea shakes off family chaos to become an independent woman

CHELSEA Cameron is an 18-year-old Dundee girl who has shown that it’s not always what happens to you in life, but how you handle it that matters.

Last week she appeared on Victoria Derbyshire’s TV programme after writing a raw and poignant open letter to her drug-addicted parents thanking them for setting an example that she didn’t want to follow.

In a 1300-word letter to her mum and dad, Tammy and Alexander Cameron, she left them in no doubt that their feckless behaviour had broken her heart and shown her that taking drugs ruined lives and tore families apart.

She posted it on her Facebook page and “thanked” them for not being there for her at all the crucial moments of her life.

When Chelsea was made head girl at Menzieshill High School and when she received an award at the school prize-giving in the Caird Hall, her parents failed to show up to share the experiences with her. When she set off to Uganda on the trip of a lifetime, they didn’t even turn up to say goodbye.

In words that would flay any mum or dad’s heart, their daughter wrote: “Life is not sunshine and rainbows. Thank you for teaching me that life is unfair, people disappoint you and there’s nothing you can do about that. A lesson well learned from both of you.”

But despite the difficulties of living with parents whose lives were dominated by their drug addiction, Chelsea chose another path.

She could have wallowed in self-pity, experimented with drugs herself, messed up her education, her chances for a better future.

Not Chelsea Cameron.

She saw the chaos of her mum and dad’s life and decided to work hard at school, to learn to be independent.

This teenager had the vision to work hard to achieve her goals, the courage to tell her parents exactly how she felt and the wisdom to choose a better path.

She’s hoping her mum will get in touch with her and that they can build bridges.

Tammy has admitted that she’s “ashamed” of her behaviour and that’s a starting point.

If Chelsea’s parents can accept their mistakes and honour their daughter’s courage, it could bring the chance of a new beginning for all of them.

The teenager’s words also shine a light for anyone growing up in a dysfunctional family.

You don’t have to choose the downward spiral.

You can decide that you want to make the best of your time on this earth. You don’t need to be a victim.

One thing is sure – Chelsea’s strength of character is a lesson for all of us in what it means to be human, to hurt and hopefully to heal.