A Secret Behind a Closed Door

"I have high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (Asperger's). I successfully graduated from university, I work as a lead engineer in Seattle, I fully support myself, and I live on my own. Yes, I'm a little shy, I don't like noisy parties, and I need time to get used to a new person, but I'm capable of loving deeply, caring, and keeping my word.

When we turned to a well-known community shadchan, she threw a real fit at my mother: 'If we write this diagnosis into the resume, you can just toss it straight into the trash. No normal family will want anything to do with it. Let's write that he's simply an introvert who likes quiet, and you'll tell the girl yourselves... somewhere after the engagement.' It was so humiliating. The system considers me defective, they suggest hiding my profile through deceit, and if I decide to tell the truth, they're only willing to set me up with people who have severe disabilities. Why do intelligence, reliability, and integrity weigh less than a dry medical term in a medical file?"