We build our neighborhoods from the ground up when a special needs situation
appears in our lives.  I'm fortunate in that my geographical neighborhood is
a main staple in my actual neighborhood as well, but I know that isn't always
the case.

I will never forget my first e-mails with Trisha when we didn't know where
each other lived, and discovered that we were right in the same city.  I was
thrilled!

In a message dated 05/31/2000 4:21:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> Personally, we couldn't raise our kids without support. We are the primary =
>  caregivers of course, but you need help. It's finding people you want to =
>  populate your "village" that's tough.
>
>  I think the "village" is still there it's just not a geographic one all =
>  the time like it used to be. The extended family usually is not in close =
>  proximity these days. And there are not too many "neighbourhoods" left in =
>  the traditional sense of the word. In our immediate neighbourhood we know =
>  a few folks... but just  to chat about the weather or gardening, etc. We =
>  have several neighbours who are elderly so Mark shovels walkways in the =
>  winter and helps take out the trash. They always ask about the boys but =
>  there is very little actual support (nor would I expect it). Maybe there =
>  are a few surrogate grandparents lurking. ; )
>
>  I think people have to create their own "village" to support them based on
=
>  what they need. My cousin is the boys' Godmother and is wonderful. She's =
>  really the only family member we see all the time. Most of Mark's =
>  relatives were involved in the mass exodus at the time of diagnoses. We =
>  have been blessed with some great friends, some of whom have special needs
=
>  children as well. These people can always be counted on for support either
=
>  emotionally or practically. We also belong to our local club for parent's =
>  of multiples. Of course the internet has become invaluable to me  as a =
>  source of info and support.
>
>  So I think the support is out there. We just had to move to a new =
>  "village" once we entered the world of disability. It took some
remodelling=
>   and adjusting but we like the village where we live now. : )
>
>  Yvonne
>