Disabled 35/M in Westchester, New York

[Nate]

Hi all! Another newbie here, both to the forum and to the concept and culture of devoteeism in general.

My disability stems from a genetic mutation called Larsen syndrome. I’ve never been able to walk functionally and have used both manual and motorized chairs for as long as I can remember. Beyond that, I’m host to quite the array of orthopedic and neurological anomalies; one reason I’m here on the forum is to find people who enjoy chatting about this stuff as much as I do.

Another is to forge some friendships and maybe even find romance – not to beat around the bush or anything. Devoteeism fascinates me to no end, and I’m very much looking forward to meeting the lady who wants to meet me, impairments and all.

In the meantime, I’d love to get to know y’all – feel free to drop me a line!

Have a lovely day!

Nate

[Amee]

Hi Nate!

I'm not sure if there's such a thing as a "culture" of devoteeism, but if devness fascinates you, then I'm sure this is one of the best places to learn more about it. How did you find out about devs and PD?

I hope you'll find what you're looking for and wish you a very warm welcome

[Deleted]

Hi there,
Welcome to PD! Hope you enjoy being here. Devotees are all very individual in their interests and attractions, PD is a great place to mingle and learn about us and get to know the community.

[Deleted]

Hi, its great to get to know new members that are open minded. Look forward to hearing more about you.

[feelsunshine]

Welcome to the board!

[Nate]

Hi, thanks for the welcome!

Amee: It started when I got a DM from a devotee who'd found my profile on another forum. She introduced herself as a "dev," which, given my background in computers, I assumed was short for developer and for a moment thought I'd committed some bannable offense on the site -- I can be a bit dense when afforded the opportunity. But she wanted to know about my disability and to explain her fascination, so I responded. The conversation didn't last very long but my interest in devness has only been growing, so the other day I searched "devotee dating" and found PD.

Squirmy and Grubs, whose Youtube channel I came across only a few weeks ago, are also hugely inspiring. I don't yet know the story of how Shane and Hannah met or whether Hannah identifies as a dev, but I hope to one day find the person with whom I can share the kind of love those two clearly have for each other.

[pam]

Hello, welcome to PD. Hope you enjoy it here and make lots if new friends.

[Nate]

Thanks!

[blueskye101]

Welcome!

[lisa]

Welcome to PD!

Aug 25, 2019 19:49:07 GMT -5 Nate said:

Squirmy and Grubs, whose Youtube channel I came across only a few weeks ago, are also hugely inspiring. I don't yet know the story of how Shane and Hannah met or whether Hannah identifies as a dev, but I hope to one day find the person with whom I can share the kind of love those two clearly have for each other.

They once answered this question in the comments section on Youtube and stated that Hannah is not a dev. But I see how one could think that, I had been wondering the same thing for some time. And I enjoy watching their videos :-). (On a side note, I don't think there are many people on the internet who out themselves as devs with showing their face and all.)

[Nate]

Hi again, just thought I’d share a little more about myself. Or a lot more; I like to write.

I’m a lifelong New Yorker and am still living in the house where I grew up. My mother is and has always been my primary caregiver (I almost wrote that as “caretaker” for an inadvertent but nonetheless obligatory reference to Kubrick’s “The Shining,” about which I’m a bit of a nut) but I have a live-in aide who helps with ADLs and other miscellanies as needed. I also have a close friend whom I’ve known since high school –- nigh on 23 years now -– who lives with us and helps with some of the more physically demanding tasks like transferring me in and out of bed and between wheelchairs. He also cooks like a madman and is simply amazing at it.

And last but certainly not least, I have an Australian cattle mix named Emma (who can be seen in my profile picture, peeking out from behind me). She isn’t a service dog but is very much my rock; nary a day goes by in which I’m not somehow struck, surprised or delighted by her uncurbable enthusiasm for life and people -– a much-needed counterbalance to my vivid, misanthropic cynicism.

I’m self-employed and work as a paralegal but originally went to school for computer science. I had visions -– delusions, in retrospect -– when I was younger of being a video game designer with either a major developer or a small indie group that I’d co-found… Sadly, I’m missing both the patience for programming and the creativity for design, and I’d frankly rather play games than make them. (It didn’t help that World of Warcraft launched during my last semester of college and ruined my sleep schedule and made me resent having to go to my AI and Networks classes and work on my senior thesis and come to think of it is responsible for all of my failings as a professional anything. But I digress.)

I lucked out in 2006 when an attorney neighbor lost his data entry clerk and asked if I wanted the job. An interest in the law, legal writing and research blossomed over the next few years and in 2010 I went back to school for a two-year paralegal certificate program. I’m still working for that attorney as an independent contractor and have taken on more of a personal assistant-type role on top of managing his billing and the occasional legal research and advance directive preparation.

And that, as they say, is that… for now. Til next time!

[gaywheellover]

I know you are looking for women, but if you don’t mind talking to a dev guy, I am right here in NYC

[Nate]

I don't mind talking; feel free to message.

[SouthernCalGal]

Hi Nate!  Welcome, I hope you enjoy PD and make a lot of friends!

[Nate]

Thanks!