u/CorvinaChaos

I quite literally don't know how to handle this one because the absurdity of it is astounding. I am a 45f and my emotional support cryptid is 47f. Her partner is 41m. Now that I think you know all the important humans in this story, let me tell you about the animals.

My Cryptid and I both have fantastic dogs. Well-behaved, well-trained, friendly, and social. They are about the same size and age. We want to set up a playdate since both do well with other dogs. Why not get our own dogs together? We both know their temperaments, health history, etc. It makes a lot more sense than our dogs playing with random dogs at the park.

Her boyfriend said no way! The reason is one for the archives, my dear friends. I hope you are ready for this one. My dog is a spayed female. Theirs is an intact male. He is afraid that, because my dog is "such a sweet and pretty girl," that his dog will no longer be as well-behaved. Even though this dog has played with another spayed female that was kind of snippy, if he plays with my dog, he will fall in love and become an asshole.

I am not kidding. This man has literally forbade his dog from playing with my dog specifically because she is "too pretty." 😂

Toxic masculinity and a complete lack of biological knowledge has led to doggy west side story 💔

All of my care is managed through Cleveland Clinic practitioners. Last May, my rheumatologist put in my referral for the EDS Clinic. She warned me that it takes 6 months to a year to even get a call for your referral and that the first appointment is a group appointment with an associate of Dr. Brown and several patients.

I got my call a couple weeks ago and I am scheduled for the second week of July. So many emotions are floating through my mind, but I'm hopeful that I can finally work with clinicians that understand my body instead of administering treatment as if I had normal connective tissues.

I have to ask if anyone here has been a patient at the EDS Clinic in Cleveland and what their experiences were. I have a lot of nerves and want to know a little of what to expect 🫠