unlike what Kathleen implies, I am not a victim of “social contagion.” Rather, I’m in therapy because my brain refuses to accept the current state of my body with dysautonomia. Because no matter how affirming I am, sometimes I hate being seen with a cane and a walker on dates. Or be pestered with questions, like “What happened?” or “When will you get better?” Because I know I won’t get better.

I’m a Black autistic Jewish queer woman, and I’m scared right now. And it’s not for the reasons you think.