Internet dating and players

He found a Groupon and I researched a location, picking out a restaurant in New York City that was supposed to be wheelchair accessible.

As it turned out, the restaurant was accessible, but the painting class was happening in a room upstairs.

There have been plenty of matches that haven’t worked out, and whether that’s actually because of my disability, I’ll never know.

But I had a nearly yearlong relationship with a man I met through OKCupid, so I know it’s possible for lightning to strike again.

Finally, I took the leap I’d been so afraid to make, opening up about disability to strangers whom I hoped would appreciate my honesty and perhaps send me a message.

Not one to be deterred, I persevered, downloading every possible dating app and creating accounts on various dating sites. I kept up with this facade for a while, messaging matches who were none the wiser.

But I wasn’t helping the situation by keeping the existence of my disability concealed, springing it upon people only when I thought it felt right.

In retrospect, this served only to contribute to the stigma I usually work so hard to fight. In every other area of my life, my disability is front and center.

A few months before my initial swipes, I’d gone through a messy breakup with a man I dated for over two years.

I truly believed he was the person I’d marry, and that I’d never have to worry about rejection again.