Jordan

My situation is rather unique and confusing, and it's actually quite embarrassing too, but I don't know which last name I want to pass down. I don't want to use my real name, so take this example as my full name and assume it is so: Tyler Brayden Tyson-Smith.

I apologize for the confusion I am about to bring to you, but this is my life:

I go by my middle name, Brayden. My mom's maiden name is Tyson and my dad's last name is Smith. When I was born, my mom and dad weren't married, which gave me the hyphenation (Tyson-Smith). Since I was born, I always went by the name, Brayden Tyson-Smith.

My dad was never around in my life, and whenever I got old enough to understand that, I didn't want to carry on his last name because I didn't feel apart of the family. My mom's grandpa died last November- his last name was Tyson. No one else could pass on the name since he had three boys, who all happened to have girls. So I felt like it was up to me to pass on the last name of Tyson. So i dropped "Smith" off of my name, and here recently, I have just gone by Brayden Tyson.

I noticed it caused a mass confusion with people like doctors and jobs, so I sort of was forced to go back to Brayden Tyson-Smith. Now that I'm 19, and I will start a family of my own here soon, I am really confused on what to go by. I refuse to pass on the last name Smith for the problems my dad and I have, and I really want to go by just Brayden Tyson. Is it possible that I can do that and use it as my kid's last name as well? I only ask because usually you pass on the dad's last name, but I don't want to.

I'm sorry for the confusion, but it's really a HUGE problem that I have to come to terms with. Thank you.

I am currently 18 and will be graduating high school this upcoming year. I have been diagnosed with bipolar and ADD. I am currently taking medications for it and the signs of success have been shown. I can function efficiently. I have a job now, and I do very well at it. I don't have a problem with anybody or anything. I really need to know, can I still be a firefighter/EMT despite these problems? Please leave an answer and an explanation if necessary. Thank you.