Got my post in last night

I have posted to the game whenever Alacrity is ready and able to update!

Hello my friends, colleagues and fellow members.

As many of you know, I have a four year old son, William who was recently diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). It is called a spectrum disorder because such a large range of symptoms and issues that it cannot be nailed down. If you meet one child with ASD then you have met one child. They will not be the same as another, just a few common features of the disorder. In general, you have a lack of social skills and interaction, a loss or deficit in speech and Behavioural problems that are anti-social and disruptive. It is a neurological disorder but they have no idea why or how it starts, where the disease comes from but it now effects 1 in 88 children in North America.

We have spent the last four years of our lives in a constant struggle. At first it was to understand what was wrong, then to get someone to examine him and give us some guidance and after that, going through doctor after doctor telling us "he'll be fine, he'll catch up" when we knew that wasn't true. We signed up for programs, waited months upon months to get into programs. 15 moths waiting list for a assessment on his development and the doctors dropped us off the list after 8 months due to a jurisdiction issue. We finally paid for our own assessment , which we got on Dec 11, 2011.

So now we are going through the process of getting him into programs to help him, because if you start soon enough, you can do something - you can lead him to a possible normal life. There is a lot of education of us as well as William and the programs are lengthy and we have to learn to become expert therapists in speech and behaviour as well. After all, we will be around him the most. There is no lead physician or coordinator to help you though. You are thrown into the water and basically you need to learn the system or else. This is part of why I was having trouble keeping up with my games over the last year or so.

Which brings me to the point of this long winded letter. I am going to end most of my games on the inn. Not out of any dislike for the games or anything any of the players did or did not do, but because i don't have the time. Being a DM is not a simple task, or at least not for me, I put a lot of work into my games and I can spend hours a week on the game - but not anymore. Destiny's Flight, Escape from Castle
Rautenberg and Audalis Dreaming are effectively over. I am sorry to all the players but given the choice between family and games ... well you get the picture. I will continue to play out the Voyages of Rocinante, because I hope I can handle one game and I love that game so. Cathy agrees with me and will attempt to post for Willow soon. Bromern and I will continue to produce RPG Mythbreakers on a sorta-monthly basis. I will also keep Floyd Hobart going as long as Brittany wishes to draw it.

I had suggested to Olan that I would walk away completely from the inn. He was very supportive of any decision I made but he couldn't see the inn existing without me. In fact, he was quite horrified of the prospect. I think he overestimates my importance and I appreciate the flattery. I have been friends with Olan for over ten years now, even traveled all the way to Alabama to meet him in person once. Whether I am the "backbone" of the inn or not, this website is my site too and I can't leave it completely.

William is a wonderful boy who teaches me about myself every day. In October 2010, he didn't say anything beyond his letters and numbers 1-10. He didn't us mom or dad. He didn't even say yes or no. Tantrums of the fiercest nature were 3-4 times daily and he wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. Now he speaks in 3-4 word sentences, he calls us mom and dad and even calls his sister by name (Veronica). He is starting to spell his words and has a lengthy vocabulary that is growing. He smiles and will meet your eye. He is developing a sense of humour and has friends in school.

My father used to say, "Never give up on life until ten minutes after you draw your last breath." William is named after him and if he has half the spirit and determination that my father did, then he'll be okay. I may be 1 in 88 to the world, but he is 1 in a million to me.

So my sincere apologies to my friends for abandoning the games, but I hope you will understand.

Good thing is at least we did not get too far into the game that leaving it would hurt.

Maybe another day, another future

... for looking after your family. This is a good and responsible choice, and one that I expect you will be glad you made. Having known you for 30+ years now, I can honestly say that you are one of the best and most ethical people I've ever met. You do not take any significant decision lightly, and this is a very significant decision. It is one that I believe everyone here will respect.

Bye for now.

You and your family have my prayers!

Thank You for allowing me to be a part of Audalis Dreaming and a Lurker in your other games!