joe - i have been single for 27 years, until 6 years ago without the stigma of PD. fortunately, i have a lady who pre-dates the diagnosis, and is sticking it out. but that doesn't help you. were i in your position i would look at the local (where are you? - it helps to be in a city of some size) singles scene. here in tucson we have some alternatives, tho as a stranger you would have to look for them, at least beyond the bar scene. but, you would not have to look far for a support group (apda chapter with over 100 at our monthly meetings), with many fine people, married and single, who share one of life's bummers! were i single w/o a s/o, i would definitely attend those meetings with an eye and ear toward finding someone. but don't give up on the non-pd crowd - not everyone will evaluate you by your disease group. nor will they bypass you because of the proximity of your children. in fact, a caring person could be very impressed with a man who, with a numbing disease, cares for his kids as intimately as you do. most importantly, from experience, don't push it. to the right person, you have a lot to offer. YOU are the one who must be selective. so relax. it will happen sooner if you do. bob dolezal At 8:58 PM 7/14/98, JOSEPH M PEINKOFER wrote: >Hi, > >I have been a pretty much silent observer since joining your wonderful >group. I look foward to reading your posts, even the not so happy ones. > >I don't know if I am alone in my situation or there are others like me and >if anyone could share some thoughts- I guess the proper term would be >'inspiration'. > >I am trying, with poor success, to re-enter the world of dating. I have >been divorced for a while now. It has been very difficult for me to find >someone who is willing to date me and my disease-we are a package deal. > >I get along pretty well, can mask my symptoms with medication, for a while. > But then, I am living a life of deception if I don't tell someone, and >that is not me. Additonally, my two little children live with me, and for >that reason alone, women are not interested. Heck, at my age(44), most >have kids already grown and are not willing to start over. > >Don't misunderstand me about my kids being a negative thing. Having them >and being their parent is God's greatest gift he has ever given me and I >thank him every chance. Even, in a strange sense, my PD has been a gift in >the fact that it allows me to stay home with them as I now collect SSD. > >When I mention my situation to a posiible date, women are not interested. >I can understand some of that. > >So, I was wondering, if anyone else in our group has had, or is going thru >this too. >Just one more of those frightening things of Parkinson's. > >Thanks all. I hope that I wasn't out of line asking a question like this >here. > >joe 44 & 5 >> ________________________________________________________________