23 Answers

What do you suppose would be the outcome, even if Madonna were to hand her brother a million dollars?  Would he use it to go to rehab, buy himself a house, start taking care of his health, go to university for an education, look for work???  I don't think that drug addicts listen nor take advice very well.  I expect that Madonna would be "throwing good money after bad" if you get my meaning.  Is he entitled to her money because she has done something with her life?   NO.

pythonlover

Well said

Ducky

Thank you.

maybe, he's an actor. 

If he's a non-rehabilitated drug addict that explains a lot. I can understand not wanting to inadvertently feed his drug habbit, by enabling his ability to sell anything she gave him. But, a person of her stature could easily arrange something where he at least wouldn't be sleeping under a bridge. I realize everyone is responsible for themself and their choices. But, where he is at today, clearly demonstrates that the sometimes overpowering influence of the drugs is more in control of his life than he is himself. People could have as harsh an opinion of him as they wish, but who in their right mind would purposely choose to become a useless junkie living under a bridge amongst the rats and pigeons? If she so flippantly chooses to disown her own brother, than maybe there is some basis for whatever came out in some book (that he might not of wrote himself, but been manipulated to be a part of). I have little doubt that it would have been easy enough for someone to manipulate an active junkie...look at how many women sell their bodies to support their habits. I bet they didn't grow up aspiring to be where they're at either!

Well there are always two sides to a story but I would think if it is true that his sister at some point would buy him a trailer or something.

I heard Madonna was upset about some of the books content,maybe that is why she is not helping him.Her brother is also a non rehabilitated drug user.

pythonlover

That's what can happen when you take drugs.

My brother was a homeless person. He just could not cope with society. Sadly he was murdered in his compound.. No arrests.

He is gone to far bridge over troubled water.cant help someone "who does not want help.

I lived under a bridge for about a year and it was great (until the city decided to upgrade the bridge....).....

Same thing with obama relative, except his relative was arrested here for something else and found to be here as an illegal. . Obama not doing much to help .

Ducky

As far as WE know!

Helping anyone who will not help themselves is enabling. I'm sure Modonna would help him if he showed that he truly wants help and would follow through with his rehabilitation ... I've experienced this in my own family. It's very painful for all concerned.

Happens in the best of families. Understandably so. There is always a list of socially acceptable reasons why they fly over the cuckoo’s nest, so that we need not get too involved ourselves. We won’t discuss the subject further. Not at the dinner table dear. I can’t do anything about that. If you can’t stop talking about that maybe you should go outside and eat your dinner there. Not that again. Go to your room and don’t come out until I tell you you can come out.

      These responses were typical to any similar situation.   

His name was Tim  Thank you Yvonne. You brought tears to my eyes I do miss him

Thanks CleavelandRick. It happens in Ohio in 2005 on Oct. 25th

Yvonne57

Hi clu. The 6th anniversary is Tuesday. I'll be thinking about you and your brother all day. What is his name?

Clu thank you.  I know you are right.  Sorry about your beloved brother.

 I have heard many stories like this over the years.  A big rich person not able to help the poor brother or family member. Personally I think it is disgraceful.  It's easy to say he's a drugger.  Figure out some kind of way to make a contribution to your brother's life. Charity truly begins at home. A little help at a crutial time a in person's life can be the life changing support he needed at that time. I have been through that with a brother.  Everybody told me I was crazy and he's never going to be anything.  I did not give up.  And asked my mom not to give up on him.  Sure enough.  Today he is the most successful and wealthiest person in our family, with his own family now.  And I did not even have the money Madonna has.  No excuse for rich people making excuses why they can't help their family.   What about a squirrel that has 100 nuts put away for the winter and all the other squirrels are falling over from starvation.  But the rich squirrel will not share one nut because he needs it for the winter, when everybody will be dead but him.

I wonder if there is way to have him arrested for possesion of drugs and give him a choice, either jail or Rehab? Madonna can afford the best rehab for her brother. It would seem to me, that she could at least try.If that was my brother, I would not give up and try to help him any way I could. Otherwise I would not be able to sleep at night .

It seems like most of us have an understanding of the situation of addiction. It’s a mental health problem. When I see the people with their signs I can be sad all day. I give them a dollar or two dollars and say I hope it gets better for you. I Saw an old man outside our pharmacy and his sign read “Need money for meds.”  

I think the Salvation Army helps people with alcohol and addiction problems. I’ve considered going to church there. 

LOVED Madonna music......HATED HER.

When she took a turn toward the SLUT and WHORE culture she turned me off and I haven't paid any attention to her since.

Her GAY brother? Who cares.

My family was self destructive as stated. I would not remain with them and I am sure they found every possible reason for me to remain far away. Scape goats are outcasts who have learned, in my case how not to treat anyone. I would not carry their guilt for them, I would not subscribe to their ways. I have been under the bridge and I am better off for my experience, in my estimation. Anyone so wounded seeks to recover alone where no one is going to be poking holes in were it is no one’s business. Under the bridge, can be a very good place to be. The opportunity there is to recognize the facts of what you did to yourself and why you did that. Those 12-step programs help.

Experts who help drug users usually tell their family to show them the door this is when they first start this - this subject is distressing and what I see here is speculation..

So sad but here in London,  there are a lot of very intelligent people living under bridges etc. by choice and they are not drug users.So many good answers here - although I must confess I did not know of this guy.As Robertgrist says many  want to fly over the cuckoo's nest with or without drugs.

We don't really know if she has ever helped him before or even if she is helping him now. If He isn;t ready for help it wouldn't matter if you gave him a billion dollars.I have a brother who has had problems and I helped him out in many ways and many times. When I needed him he had no time for me. I have resigned myself to the fact that I can't fix him. A very hard conclusion to reach but one

That had to be reached for my own sanity. There are a lot of things that happen in a family that outsiders don't get cause they don't get the whole story. If he wrote a book that people are reading, he has income, maybe the bridge life is the one he wants

I think that it is a very very very VERY sad thing!