Micki, thanks for the prompting. My sole purpose is education, not complaint. I seek no sympathy. While my life as is true with everyone, has its challenges, I am beyond blessed and being a CD is a nonissue for me. It actually creates adventures and opportunities that I would not have otherwise.

Allow me to set the stage a bit. I volunteer significantly, almost exclusively in mainstream situations. And I am 100% accepted, I have never had a negative experience to my face (I am sure I have rolled eyes behind my back). For many of the organizations I work for, I do so in both genders and no one cares a bit.

Quote Originally Posted by Micki_Finn View Post
I feel the very real frustration in your second post. Unfortunately without any details about some of the events or circumstances that lead you to that, it feels a bit like a tempest in a teapot. What?s going on that these people are blowing you off? Are they friends? Acquaintances? Strangers? What are they asking you to do? Did they reach out to you or did you volunteer yourself? I know you weren?t writing for advice, but answering these questions might allow your readers to sympathize with you more.
In many different circumstances, I get involved in lengthy conversations with all types of people. All referenced here were initially total strangers, all reached out to me. I have been asked to get together for dinner, been told they wanted me to attend an event like a birthday party, offered help seeking employment, received so many different offers. None are ever solicited by me. In many circumstances, I am given their cell number. One fairly recent example: I had one woman with whom I volunteered and talked with for well over an hour, who held bracelet making parties, almost plead with me to attend a party. I gave her my card with my contact information to send me details and never heard from her again. And yes, I do follow up, but now having had this happen so many times, I never expect anything.

The dialog this has sparked here and on my blog have confirmed this is not at all uncommon. I'd be happy with a "pleasure meeting you", don't need false platitudes. But hey, that's life!