It's My Breakdown and I'll Cry If I Want To!!

I am the type of person when things get so overwhelmed and stressed out for me, I do one of two things. Sometimes both. And that is to have myself a good cry and I get very testy at others. I admit that.
Now, as a parent of a special needs child we face much more challenges than the neuro-typical parent. Our stress levels are higher. And I don't care what any neuro-typical parents would say in disagreement with that. It's the truth!! Any of you with special needs children will agree wholeheartedly with me! Although in many ways we are still "normal" our challenges are definitly different, but they are also more overwhelming and stressfull!
On our way back home from the 2010 PMSF Conference we broke down with our 17 year old van. You may wonder why we drive such an older van. But again, those of you with severely handicapped children understand that one of the biggest issues in raising a child with so many needs is the financail burden. Neuro-typical parents don't understand and/or underestimate the cost involve such as leg braces, wheelchairs, ramps to get them in and out of the house, vans with LIFTS!! Majority of this does not come cheap! And I've been asked WHY? can't I afford a $40,000 van and a $5500 lift to put into that van? On top of everyday bills, such as mortgage (yes, we need a place to live too you know!) utilities, car insurance, house insurance etc etc. Not to mention the fact that most often families with a special needs child with so many needs demands that one parent stay home to care for that child.
Believe me, I've had people think that my husband and I should have one of us home to take care of our daughter, which I agree with. But don't understand why we can't pay for all of this with just one income? How many families neuro-typical or not do you know live today on just one income? Compound it with a family member requiring lots of medical attention.
So, there we were driving home from the Conference. When our van decided to start to overheat and sputter! On the highway, in the mountains of North Carolina. Oh my!! I prayed and prayed! Hoping that we would make the trip home. We only had to cross the mountains into Tennessee, and we would be on the homestretch!!
After pulling over twice and hubby adding coolant we finally ended up off an exit, at a McDonalds in Strawberry Plains. Long story short we spent 3 hours there!! And I hope to never step foot in another McDonalds again. At least that one anyway!! Talk about horrible. The people were rude!! Hubby dealt with the van, making phone calls to whomever we could think or remember thier phone number. While I took Baby Girl inside to keep her cool. The temps outside were around a humid 100 degrees, and both of us do not do well in heat.
We sat inside the McDonalds trying to cool down. But she kept fussing, and fussing. Afterall hanging out in a McDonalds for 3 hours is not part of an Autistic childs routine. And I was at the point of stress and feeling so overwhelmed that I broke down and cried. Yes, all the while in the restaurant and not one person bothered to come over and see if we were at least "okay."
Hubby finally got a hold of friends of ours,who drove up to help us. Fortunatly we were only an hour or so away from home. And after adding coolant to the system, followed us back home to make sure we didn't have any more problems. The downside is that our old van is going to have to go into the shop. But the upside is that we got home after 3 hours wait, and we know who are greatest friends are!
And if ever you have a moment you feel like you need a good cry, go ahead and do it! It will do you good and after all, we all are entitled to a good cry every so often.