I have been following this story here, and I might have commented once or twice, can't remember.
I have a 5 year old son with severe developmental disabilities (not autistic but very similar). I also have an older daughter who is not disabled. I was just thinking about my experience with my son and how much time, energy, money, energy (ha that counts twice) he takes. There have been moments along the way where I didn't think I could do it anymore - care for my son. I have been able to persevere and get through the hard times by several factors: my husband is a rock star dad, we live somewhere that has an affordable and excellent respite/day care for kiddos with special needs, and I LOVE my son. There is a tiny little unicorn part of me that feels for Lori and how difficult it can be raising a child with developmental delays or autism.
I'm not saying AT ALL that any of that makes what she appears to have done OK. Not by a LONG shot. But I hadn't seen anywhere where someone brings this up here, that caring for a special needs child is freaking hard. And obviously Lori as a narcissist is the last person who could do it.
I don't really know what my point is, I'm just kinda rambling. I just wanted to give a voice to those of us who are raising kids like JV and what it's like.