One thing I do regret about how we managed over the years raising our son is that we did not have enough energy to continue to "play hostess" to many of our friends and other relatives we were close to before our son was born.  As a result, many of them have simply stopped visiting, which is a real tragedy since it isolates our little family even more.  We did what we could, but somehow, I guess, it wasn't enough.  However, if keeping our friends or impressing our relatives meant that we would have had to expend less energy in accessing appropriate therapies or in staying involved with his progress at school... well, I'd be prepared to lose my friends and relatives all over again.  My son comes first with me. 

Fortunately, there were a few particularly good friends and a couple of really hardy relatives that hung in with us through thick and thin (especially my mom).  They gave much more of themselves than we could give in return, and I didn't always appreciate how difficult it was at times for them to try to step in and manage to really help, without the training I was receiving through therapy.  Still, this did not stop them from trying to do their best.  I thank them to for being persistent in trying to help, even after some of their efforts resulted in minor disasters. 

To these few people (and especially my mom), I simply do not have adequate words to express my gratitude.  These few are the ones who really made the difference in my son's outcome.  Since isolation leads to loneliness and loneliness to depression and worse; perhaps it should be said that they saved our lives.

Ah Holly Im so sorry, that must have been awful.