When you've been in the disability, mental illness world your entire life @Faith-and-Hope you learn from the mistakes your parents and family made, and you try to protect people from the same mistakes, or at least vocalise your own experiences so they can make a realistic decision.  

It is not easy being realistic, but I have now accepted that I need life long psychiatric care, and I need to be near services. I try and focus on the positives and what I can do. Of course I have down days and I am still grieving my limitations and unmet potential, but I am grateful for the health and support that I do have and am just trying to get on with life and connect with others.

It sucks that you may have better health in the major towns and cities but you have lost the freedom to go anywhere and do anything you want and dream of when you have life long health needs. Losing spontaneity, freedom and options is a very bitter pill to swallow when you have to sit on the sidelines and watch people take that completely for granted and also judge you for your limitations. But I don't want to be around people like that, they lack humility and gratefulness. 

You're a very caring Mum @Faith-and-Hope and you will be so worn out setting up the future supports, but as long as you have some realism you can channel disappointment and frustration into creative arts instead. And you can design your own little sanctuary and get that art room! They whole place could be your own little gallery!

Enjoy your coffee, I find the smell of coffee brewing so comforting.

Corny