The mother is still alive and Martin says that part of his locked-in time was spent thinking about and understanding his mother’s heartbreak at seeing and weariness in caring—for years— for this apparent husk that was once her son.
Not everyone is ready or composed of the particular personality it takes to successfully raise a severely handicapped child. This can be true even when the parent loves that child. There are times when it’s best for the child and the entire immediate family, to find a suitible and supportive environment such a child can be transfered to. Differing views on how to care for a sick child without totally neglecting your other children who are healthy, is a very common cause for divorce.