Dear Pastor,

Congratulations on the wonderful job that you're doing. I used to listen to your programme on Power106 all the time when I was in Jamaica, but I'm in Canada now and by the time you come on, I'm going to my bed.

Well, I was born with my spinal cord tied up. Tethered Cord Syndrome is the right name and they corrected it in Jamaica, but I'm walking with a cane right now and I also developed urinary retention. I have a high self-esteem and everything like that, but sometimes I get depressed because I'm 22 and I often wonder if I'll find someone who will love me as I am. I was in a relationship for four years and the guy cheated on me, so I broke up with him. Now he wants to get back together with me because he still loves me, he said, but I just can't trust him again. I won't take heartache from anyone although I'm disabled. I'm here in Canada and I'm going to make the best of it. I'm seeking a job now, but I want to become a medical lab technician in the near future.

I met a man and he is 35. He likes me a lot and he is even talking about marriage because I'm a Christian, but he doesn't know that I'm disabled because I was sitting down when he met me. I plan to tell him no matter the outcome. I don't know if it will work because of the age difference.

When I was in Jamaica and going to high school, the kids used to give me hell, but I'm over it now. But I still remember and wonder why they used to treat me that way when I'm a nice, intelligent and ambitious person.

Pastor, do you think that I'll find love? May the good Lord bless you and your family always. I anxiously await your reply.

M., Canada

Dear M.,

First of all, let me say that I am very happy that you are an ambitious girl and that you have high self-esteem. You will do well. You have your physical problems, but you are showing to others that although you are physically challenged, you are happy and are doing the things you want to do and others can learn from you.

You have to be very, very careful with whom you get into an intimate relationship. A guy may pretend to love you then, after stirring your emotions, walk away from you. But there are other guys married to women who are physically challenged and they are happy.

You said that the guy you met did not know you are handicapped because you were sitting. Please let him know of your condition. It is better for him to know early. I am sure that you wouldn't want him to believe that you have deceived him.

Pastor