Love the loyal, forget the rest, and always show some style
James Taylor famously sings, “The secret of love is in opening up your heart...It’s okay to feel afraid…But don’t let that stand in your way…Cause anyone knows that love is the only road…And since we’re only here for a while…Might as well show some style.” Hearing him say style makes me think of my shoe collection stacked around my room. I like to think it adds points in the style department, even if my dad rolls his eyes and wonders how many more shoes I need. Life throws a lot at you, sometimes beautiful, sometimes messy, sometimes scary, but somehow you just keep moving forward.
Three years ago on the Fourth of July I went to the James Taylor concert at Tanglewood with my brother and my dad’s buddy who has become like an uncle. We were slightly buzzed and caught up in the music and the moment. We got emotional talking about memoirs and what it means to grow into men. It was one of those rare moments where everything felt raw and meaningful, a reminder that connection and openness make life rich. I have been playing with the idea of bringing back my podcast. No promises, but it is fun to imagine how some of these stories could live there again.
For now, work has most of my attention in a good way. I have strong interviews with health PR agencies for account management roles. One is for an internship similar to the work I did at Porter Novelli and another is a full time junior role with another pharmaceutical client. Close connections from over the years in health PR have been running mock interviews with me, so I feel prepared and ready. Since interviews are moving, I have been able to step back from LinkedIn when needed and focus on other parts of life.
While I was home in the Berkshires until mid to late October, I have been catching up with friends from growing up, sometimes over coffee and sometimes having them over at my parents’ house I grew up in. I even had sushi with my high school philosophy teacher, which turned into a trip down memory lane about school, college, navigating disability, and dating. He shared his own ups and downs from teaching to contracting work. His fifteen-year-old dog was with us the whole time, lying down cool as a cucumber.
Many of the young women who first knew me through Charley’s Fund are now in their twenties and thirties, which is amazing to see. But the “Cute Charley” phase is over. I am a man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy trying to date and live life fully, seeking real connection, intimacy, and romance. I want to be seen as more than a cause or a charity story. Touch, conversation, and shared experiences matter just as much to me as they do to anyone else, and I hope to connect with women who see that side of me. I am talking with matchmakers now, an old school approach that is coming back because people are tired of swiping and small talk. Some have been upfront, saying they admire me but weren’t sure they could work with me, given how few people are open to dating someone in a wheelchair, and they felt it would be morally wrong to charge me a fee with such slim chances of results. It is a shame because I want and can provide authentic and genuine romance just like anyone else.
On a lighter note, the NBA season is only five weeks away. I am in the process of selling my PlayStation 4 and upgrading to a PlayStation 5 with NBA2K26 on the way. I never got into headset shooter games, but I have always loved FIFA and 2K. I am excited to test Jalen Brunson in the game, play MyCareer mode, and build my Knicks into a championship roster. Football is fine and I like the Giants, but basketball is my prime sport.
I am also working on getting my reading rhythm back. I used to finish books in one sitting, but social media has shortened my attention span. The last book I read was twelve weeks ago. Three new books are waiting on my desk, and soon I will dive in again. My brown suede journal is almost full, which means it is almost time to hunt for the next one, but it is a sign that my aspirations are back and stronger than ever, fleshing out ideas to shape my future just into what it should look like.
Life right now is a mix of work, reflection, and small routines. Mornings start with coffee and Morning Joe on MSNBC, followed by The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway and NBA Today on ESPN. My dog gets plenty of kisses and walks, and I have been resharing blog archives on the Instagram highlight function, pairing each post with music that fits the tone. Last week I even went back to New York City with my mom to check out apartments. We have Zillow alerts on the Upper East Side, Union Square, Murray Hill, Gramercy, and maybe Williamsburg, as Brookyn is slowly making it in the accessibility realm. If you have tips on apartment hunting, dating in the modern world, or are in health PR and want to chat, I would love to connect. I am always up for learning, talking, and maybe asking too many questions during movies, as my family and friends will tell you. James Taylor was right. Life is too short not to show some style, whether it is in the shoes I wear or the stories I share. I keep creating connections, staying close to those who have been loyal from the start, and letting go of anyone who judged or turned their back on me. Here’s to a sweet new year and a happy Rosh Hashanah.
