Muscular Dystrophy

The first time I met my husband was at a restaurant, on a blind date of sorts. He was walking (or should I say stumbling) across the parking lot to meet me, our mutual friends in tow. I thought to myself, “Oh no! I am so not gonna date a drunk!”

I sat through the dinner, making every attempt to be pleasant, but I knew, without a doubt, that this man, charming and witty as he was, was not going to get a second date. Fact is, he didn’t appear drunk. He didn’t slur his words, he didn’t make stupid jokes or laugh too loudly at mine. Then, I noticed a Medical Alert necklace hanging around his neck. While trying (vainly) to catch a glimpse at the ‘disease’ printed on the pendant, I tried just about everything to get a look. I failed. So, when he asked for a second date, without our friends, I said, “I don’t think so. I am not really in a dating mode right now.” And I thought that those words were clear that I wasn’t interested in him.

Wrong! He smiled at me, took my hand gently, and told me, “I have Muscular Dystrophy, it isn’t catching.” I, like most of America, knew ALL about muscular Dystrophy and he didn’t have it! He couldn’t. Now, this man was lying to me! After all, The Jerry Lewis Telethon showed sick disabled children in wheelchairs every Labor Day weekend! We all decided that maybe we would go to a movie sometime, but, really, I think we all just wanted to leave and end the evening.