Dating with MS

I am single and don't necessarily want to stay that way forever. Which means I'm going to have to date again. Since I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was in a relationship and that relationship is now over, this will be the first time I've entered the dating world as a person with MS. So, when do I disclose the MS to a potential partner?

With STDs, it's a no brainer. You tell the person before you have sex. Hopefully not immediately before because that could be awkward. But MS is not transmitted through sex or any other behavior. You can't “catch” MS from someone.

Since I've done some online dating in the past, I'm wondering if the MS is something I should include in my dating site profile and, if so, where? How's this: “Single mom, creative, funny, intelligent, attractive, and suffering from an incurable neurological disease.”

Or maybe I leave it off the profile, but I let the person know on the first date. “Hi I'm Julie. Nice to meet you. Yadayadaya. What's your favorite color? Yadayadayada. Really, well I have multiple sclerosis. Have you read Julie and Julia?”

I worry that if I tell too soon, it will scare the person. I also don't want to feel like I'm selling someone on a defective product.

“Step right up. Slightly worn 45-year old woman, keeps her mind and body fit and her spirits high. Intelligent, funny, thoughtful, and kind. While supplies last, get a great deal on this defective version, available as is, with MS lesions on the brain and spine.”

I guess I will just have to be who I am and trust that the Universe will bring me love when I'm supposed to have it. I will just keep on keeping on being who I am and keep on seeing MS as just another part of me. I share this and other parts of myself with people I like when I feel comfortable or feel like sharing it might help someone, even if it's just about changing perceptions of MS.