#disabilityanddating

Guys!! I went on a date for the first time since I was diagnosed with JIA. As much as I try to embrace who I am, I didn’t want to tell him that I have a chronic illness. Like, “Hey! Nice to meet you. BTW I have a lifelong disease that is completely unpredictable. Oh, and I’m really into alternative music”. So I decided the chronic illness detail could wait until a second date. I took down my disability placard and attempted to hide it. Long story short, he found it. I’m 99% sure my face turned bright red. All I could think was, “Crap! I really liked him..”. Well it turns out, there really are some great people out there. He was extremely nice about it! He didn’t even say sorry (one of my biggest pet peeves)!!!! He asked a few non-invasive questions, and then acted like I just told him my favorite color. The conversation just kept going.

Moral of the story: The truth is I can’t hide my disability. It is something that is a part of me, and I hope to someday talk about it the same way I talk about my favorite color. I hope every lovely spoonie finds the same strength to do so. It’s finally time to let go of any shame or taboo that society has placed on us.

Love and spoons,