The Untold Truth Of Blind Side's Michael Oher

Publish date: 2024-05-11

Biologically, Michael Oher is the sixth child in a family of 12 children. At first, his relationship with his birth mother, Denise Oher, was that of a loving parent. However, during an appearance on "Piers Morgan Tonight" in 2011, Michael admitted they were not as close. "It's not like it used to be," he revealed. "She loved all the kids while we were growing up, and hopefully in the future it'll be where it once was and she's gonna try to do her best to get on track, and hopefully we'll have the type of bond that we once had."

Denise, on the other hand, reflected on parenting in a 2017 chat with WATE-TV. "With drugs bringing up my children, we was here and there, but we was all together. Ain't never no loss," she said. At the time, Denise was recollecting pieces of her life, noting, "I haven't had any drugs in 6 years. Ain't had nothing to drink in three years. So I am on the right path." 

Denise also corroborated Michael's previous revelation that they weren't in each other's lives. When asked about his mother's difficult past, Michael told Morgan she was influenced by her surroundings — he therefore didn't find her at fault. That said, he explained to USA Today in 2009 of their estrangement, "For someone to keep doing the same thing, which got all of her kids taken away, it kind of breaks your heart."

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

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