I agree that certain aspects of empathy are genetic, when my daughter passed two of my closest friends didn't attend the service or acknowlegde her death with a card.
I am forgiving of them because I understand they lack the skills to be able to contact me, whether it's denial or not being able to face me with the right words, instead I feel bad for them.
As for here on the home front, I don't get empathy from anyone, which sometimes makes me furious, but I keep it to myself. I feel that no one can feel your pain or the intensity of it so they can't understand something they can't visualize.
On a lighter note I have started pool therapy, I love it, all floaty and no pain, I might be able to restart all my frozen muscles afterall, oh for a pool in my backyard, covered of course!!