OK...feeling a bit feisty tonight so apologies for the response

Damaged? Maybe...hell, yeah, ok....TOTALLY....but I have always worked hard on my damage (kinda like mental 'panel beating' ;oP), growing stronger as I learn to cut through the old crap to reveal what was always there in the first place (just got covered in a layer of someone else's shit - no pun intended! hehehe) and that is the difference between being 'damaged' and a victim..

But I can understand why a lot of people think being a sub is a result of being 'damaged' as there are SO many amongst us who have been abused both sexually and physically...the thread is undeniable. But we should realise that most of us consider ourselves as 'abuse SURVIVORS' rather than 'abuse VICTIMS' and we choose to submit and follow our desires DESPITE our past not because of it. It takes strength and courage to submit even if you have never had your faith and trust so betrayed...imagine the strength it takes for all of us that have been 'damaged' to trust, love and submit...THAT is strength, not weakness

And not to get too 'esoteric', but not all damage weakens....metal is heated to melting point (almost destroying its solid composition) and then beaten with a hammer repeatedly to create a new and stronger version of what it was before....tempered steel has qualities and strength that the raw material cannot achieve...

Phew...sorry...bit philosophical tonight! ;o)

Oh, and for the record, I am a sub and proudly damaged (my Master calls it my 'raw vulnerability') - but for the record my Master has been terribly damaged in his lifetime, even more so than me or anyone else I know, but he is not the slightest bit submissive...he chooses to become the strong, responsible, caring, trust-worthy person that he never had in his own life rather than be bitter and fuck other people over to make himself feel some tiny measure of equilibrium....

All in all, there are no perfect human beings...we are all fucked up, it just depends on how much we let that determine the rest of our lives! ;o)