It's great Joseph that you had that opportunity and yes you deserve it!
People who have ''normal'' kids, (what is the norm?) have no idea what parents with disabled kids have to endure,but for one I know what you have to go through on a daily basis. I don't need to be there, I know how sometime we just want to give up but because we entered the race, we just have to see it to the end!
I wish you the best,and congratulations to your daughter who just turned 14, my son is turning 17 very very soon and for the first time I will not be there for his birthday, I feel a bit of guilt but I need to break away for a little while.
I wish you the best of courage in the years to come and determination to see it through.GBY!