I think you were very brave to hide behind a pillar. At 9 months of diagnosis, I still hid inside my home. At 2 years, I hadn't progressed much further. Then, I participated in an 11-week group for terminal and chronic illness. At the first meeting, we each had to explain a little about our situation to the group. That was the first time I ever said out loud what was wrong with me to others. The group setting along with making other new friends--who only know me in my current state and therefore like me as I am-- help me to accept the challenges POTS/NMH presents daily. Another thing that helped was developing new interests or finding ways to participate, to the extent possible (when possible) in old activities. So, that having been said . . . here are my sort of standard answers (I'm not suggesting that these answers are right for you, just after a few years of practice, here's the approach I take now) when running into someone I haven't seen in a while: Q from acquaintance: How are you doing? A: Great. And you? (I find many people just really want to tell me how they are doing anyway, so, if they don't get back to asking me any questions, I just let them go on. And, I keep my medical situation to myself.) Q: I haven't seen you in a while. Are you working somewhere? A: No. Now, I am a lady of leisure. Really, I've had some health issues come up that are taking a front seat, but, on the plus side, it's really helped to put things into focus for me/prioritize the really important things in my life. Q: What is your illness? A: It has a lot of consonants. Would you like to buy a vowel? Just kidding, the good news is that it's not contagious or anything. (Then, if they really want to know, I give them the full diagnosis. But, by then, I usually can't stand or sit any longer, so, I'm sure to explain to them that my condition affects my circulation and I need to walk around a bit--then, I ask them if they would like to walk with me.) Then, I turn the conversation back to finding out more about what's going on in their life, just as I would have done before my illness. If they really care to follow up with me more about it later, they will. And, if they seem genuinely interested, I'll propose that we get together sometime (explaining that I don't always know if I'll be able to make it until the time arrives--but, I might also say "but, look at me today, here I am shopping & I'm so thrilled we've had a chance to catch up today.") Alternatively, I share something else (non-medical-related) that is going on in my life--like a good book I've read, movie, etc. (if I run into someone when I've been too sick to read a good book, see a movie, etc., then I ask them about something I've wanted to see or read. But, that's just me--I find it interesting to hear other people's perspectives on things that I might not be able to directly participate in.) The most important thing for me when socializing is to remember that my diagnosis is just one part pf me, it does not define who I am. The more naturally I correspond with people, I've found the more likely they are to include me (with my many limitations) in the fun things they do. The awkward situation of addressing my illness also comes up in dating. Boy, do I have more than my fair share of embarrasing dating stories. But, that's for another day--I also suffer from Raynaud's & so typing isn't good for me--I guess I'll work on being more succint next time! Hold your head high. You sound like a very accomplished and talented person. I am very sorry that you are having to deal with this illness. --Wendi