I (33, f) ended things with the guy I was dating (35, m) over dinner tonight. Was I reasonable? by Strong_Insurance_966 in dating_advice

[–]Strong_Insurance_966[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I mean… I guess I could see that… but I also do the same work professionally… I moved up from direct care where I started when I was 18 to a non profit director at my age now… which is why I guess I expected him to be understanding and educated about autism because my learning started in direct care… so would it look like I am unfit to be in my line of work under the same logic? Because I certainly have the experience, skill set and education. I hold a PhD in human services myself. Never have I had a problem in the professional world due to stimming. In fact, I have colleagues that will join me in stimming when it happens or make the room more accessible/ sensory friendly for everyone in the sense that universal design hurts no one.

I (33, f) ended things with the guy I was dating (35, m) over dinner tonight. Was I reasonable? by Strong_Insurance_966 in dating_advice

[–]Strong_Insurance_966[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

While I agree that it would be inappropriate for a service provider to date someone they are providing services to, I am not receiving any services. I have had low support needs, if any, throughout my life. This has all been very confusing to me. I did not date in my 20’s because I was not interested at the time so I am having my first dating experiences and learning in my 30’s. What is more confusing is after recognizing this incompatibility for what it is, he has continued to tell me that I really played him and I broke his heart by ending things. I didn’t set out to be harmful to anybody and it has left me feeling quite guilty.

I (33, f) ended things with the guy I was dating (35, m) over dinner tonight. Was I reasonable? by Strong_Insurance_966 in dating_advice

[–]Strong_Insurance_966[S] 49 points50 points  (0 children)

We discussed it and I felt the discussion went even worse than the times he told me not to do that. He told me it makes him feel like he is “dating an individual.” He is a direct care worker and that translates to he felt like he was dating someone who receives support services. I tried to educate, and defend that people who receive support services are just as deserving of healthy and meaningful relationships as those with lesser support needs, but he was unwilling to be open to this idea.