Figuring out the right time to tell your family, friends, employer, or date about your MS is a little tricky. You're trying to balance your right to privacy with your need to be honest and forthright. A good rule of thumb is this: When you believe the other person has a need to know, and you feel comfortable doing so, then go ahead and explain your situation. While that may seem straightforward, things can get a little murky. For example, one woman with MS never felt comfortable sharing the fact that she had MS with a man she'd grown close to, and in the end, it cost her the relationship. Mind you, he didn't leave because she had MS; she eventually stopped calling him back because she felt uncomfortable hiding it for so long. And here's where self-esteem plays a big role: you have to be comfortable with who you are in order to share yourself with someone else. Learn to trust your instincts and not your fears when it comes to disclosure while dating.

It's when you start spending real time with someone else that you may feel obligated to be more up front. You don't want to be accused of being deceitful, although in reality you are attempting to protect yourself by letting that person get to know you before you share something that may change his mind about having a relationship with you. There's a balance you must strike between putting your best foot forward and divulging the intimate details of your life. Waiting too long can also cost you more: if the person decides against going further in the relationship, you may already be emotionally invested and have a lot more to lose. You may also find that you favor the speedier route: tell the other person as soon as possible (maybe even the first date). Better to know his reaction right away before investing anything into the relationship.

Only you can decide what feels comfortable, but a little planning can go a long way. Be ready to answer some questions about what MS is and how it affects you. And since MS is commonly misunderstood, be ready to debunk some myths — most commonly the myth that MS always leads to physical limitation or disability. Talking openly and honestly can help put the other person at ease. In the end, it's up to him to decide whether he chooses to continue the relationship. If things don't go the way you had hoped, try not to invest too much of yourself in the outcome. Know that you can and will survive rejection and that risk, after all, is part of the dating game for all singles.

Try to keep in mind that people with MS do date, marry, and have families all the time. You may find that certain people are more open to the idea of dating someone with MS than others, and so it becomes a matter of finding the right person, someone who understands you and sees you for who you are.