Ironically, a couple friends' parents have died in the last few months.  After 60+ years of marriage (in bath cases) one parent would die and the other would go within weeks.  I guess they simply lost the reason or will to live after their spouses had died.  In both cases the initial "survivor" was perfectly healthy at the time of their mate's death.

I guess that would be evidence that they had truly married their soulmate, eh?

Kyle

----- Original Message -----
From: kat <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2003 3:05 pm
Subject: Re: Empty Nest  / soccer mom

> I've always been on my own since college, except for a year during
> grad school
> and during my mother's last illness. I don't think I could live
> with another
> person; I'm too set in my ways.
>
> Kat
>
> On Friday 07 November 2003 06:35 pm, you wrote:
> > I live on my own & love it ;)!
> >
> > Cindy C
> >
> > -------Original Message-------
> >
> > From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
> > Date: Friday, November 07, 2003 03:05:11 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Empty Nest / soccer mom
> >
> > Hi Betty.
> >
> > I don't think parents ever stop worrying about kids with
> disabilities. BUT
> > you have to start preparing us when we are young to be
> independent. I know
> > there
> > is disparity in services
> > throughout the USA, but then you should look to model programs or
> > legislation
> > and say, we need that in our area. The Lanterman Act in
> California, for
> > instance, created the opportunity for people living in
> institutions to live
> > in
> > their communities, and have the support structure they need to
> not only
> > help people with developmental disabilities, but to also give
> their parents
> > peace of
> > mind in their old age.
> >
> > I know of many people with severe disabilities who live in their own
> > apartments with the help of dedicated staff. They get money from
> in-home
> > support
> > services as well as Regional Center pays an agency of the
> person's own
> > choosing
> > with additional support. Granted if somebody has severe mental
> retardation,> then
> > additional help and support is carefully given, however even
> those with
> > cognitive disabilities can make many decisions about their own
> lives. Like
> > what to
> > make for meals, what they want to do on any given day, who to
> spend time
> > with.
> > etc.
> >
> > Mag, 47, with quad athetoid CP/fibromyalgia, arthritis, djd.
> > .
>