My heart goes out to you. I'm older and it's all I can do to keep myself healthy and making a living to take care of myself. Everyone figures it out there own way.

I was more or less abandoned when I was 16 or so. I had no choices and no one to help take care of me. I lived in a smaller community and found help through organizations that did find me a job. I was under the care of a pdoc who encouraged me to go to college. I was also eligible for government benefits because of my mom's illness. I dropped out of high school to take care of myself - but wanted to go to college. I did go and got financial aid - this was not all rosey - it was hard as hell and really no one in my family gave a ***** about me or how I was doing in school or in any other way for that matter.

I still struggled for a long time (life is better - but it took a long time - and still working on it) - I guess my point is - as long as they have you to lean on.. they probably will not take the initiative to go get things done - hopefully there is help in your community to get the ball rolling.

It's a journey and it's really going to suck sometimes - but I sure know how to appreciate the small things.

avlady - is your son interested in doing any volunteer work - music/kids? My first real job I work with developmentally delayed individuals - it opened my heart. With all the doom and gloom they need to try to have something they are passionate about in their lives but money will give them freedom - some way to do both? That's what I continuously work on.

Hope I do not come off condescending - I hate seeing the pain people are in with not a lot of solutions or support.