4. Shame, Lies and Meeting Maura

A chapter on meeting my best friend, Maura, for the very first time.

Slowly, slowly, slowly, leaving the house for squash became my routine. But I was ill equipped with my limited care team to weather the anxiety of each outing with a full exposure. The fear of people, places and judgment lingered. And as the fear lingered, shame grew.

Shame is an evil bastard.

If left unchecked, shame worms its way into every corner of y…