I used to hide all my issues from new people but ended up feeling like I was pretending to be someone I wasn't and it only added to my insecurities. I hid who I was because I assumed that no one who knew could care about me...

Well, the only way I could find out if someone could care about me, with all my issues, was to stop hiding. Recently I met someone and was honest and he didn't run away! (I did for other reasons...)

Not that you HAVE to tell anyone anything. But I think it's much healthier to be honest, when asked. Starting off a relationship hiding things as big as this...

And, the truth is, if they judge you for it, they just aren't worth it and would judge you when they found out...

That said, this has never been easy for me, either... I am also on disability. I avoid dating for other reasons but I understand the dilemma... Just be yourself! Pretending to be someone else for approval isn't worth it, in my opinion...