isolation. it's very, very hard, but i absolutely love this boy. >> reporter: mary is feeling desperate and starts to think that one of those day-habs might be better than nothing, so she sends in an application. >> i still wake up every single morning in a panic and worried about what am i going to do about eric? >> eric needs to get outside. >> i look at the future, and that feels so hopeless. >> i mean, mommy. >> reporter: both families are watching their sons slip away, discovering they have to make compromises, but as difficult as things seem, one family is about to discover things could be even worse. >> reporter: coming up -- >> we have nice weather. that is about the level of service that we have here. we always tell people don't move here. >> the team that comes to help him, helps me do better for him. >> reporter: and heart break. >> what does it mean to the