I pulled away from people a few years back to try to lessen their pain if I killed myself but have since decided it wasn't fair to them or me so just quit it. Perhaps your wife has a hand in this separation or perhaps her family is just angry with her. I might try getting together with them individually after consulting the wife about it.

There are people who react very poorly to sickness or disability but it's hard to imagine her whole family would be this way.

Good luck.