DEAR ABBY: I have a 54-year-old profoundly disabled, nonverbal child who is in a group home. I have been advocating for her since birth, when we learned she had suffered severe brain damage. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck for so long that the damage was irreparable. My first husband couldn’t handle it and left us.

Luckily, a number of years later, I met and married a wonderful man. He treated my daughter as if she were his own. Every weekend, we would take her out for breakfast. Many times, we’d have to leave the restaurant because of her behavior. He was my rock and my support and helped with her until his death.

I still visit her, but I find it increasingly difficult, knowing that one day I won’t be there for her. Physically, I’m no longer able to take her out by myself

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