my partner and I moved into a disability adapted bungalow in the Harehills area of Leeds a few months ago. While we're very grateful to finally have the security of a housing association house after many years of stress with private landlords, it's meant that we've moved to an area where we know absolutely nobody - this in terms of both social interaction and, almost as importantly, knowing people such a trades people from car mechanics to electricians who are reputable and honest.
This is compounded by the fact that my partner, while a very sociable person, is severely disabled and housebound, while my M.E./CFS means I become very quickly exhausted and anxious in social situations.
Also my partner's pain condition means she has very limited capacity to type, and she has PTSD triggers that relate to any discussion of her medical history or condition - because frankly it's been a nightmare for her for 25 years. All this adds up to her only being able to meet people in person after they've been thoroughly informed as to what not to talk to her about, normally by me, which is obviously difficult to manage.
Anyway, I thought I'd write this and see what comes of it!
Julian
