Ahh Kate, how is it possible you do not see just how well liked and popular you have been on this forum?
Don't be blind to what you achieved here, all in a relatively short space of time.
For many posters here you "had them at hello."
And with all the challenges and limitations internet communication comes with you did make internet "friends" and you did get internet "support" - probably more than most get on here. There are posters of the male variety that have actually been way more gentle with you than they are to other posters -just my observation.
Oh, and BTW I'm pretty sure this place is a business not a charity.
To quote John Mayer "there's no such thing as the real world, just some lie you've got to rise above."