I want to deviate from my normal dialogue about my recovery from burn injuries and talk about myself. Most people I've encountered in my life do not believe how shy I am. I cannot approach anyone I do not know, especially women, and strike up a conversation. This has plagued me all my life. I think early rejections and expectations contributed to this behavior. I really don't understand it. This has led me to living alone for a lot of my life, and after my injuries, it has created even more insecurity for me. I have thoughts about why no one would want to be with me. I perceive my scars to be a total turnoff to women I'm attracted to. I have heard women talk about being with someone who has been totally changed by being scarred from burns, and they said they could not be with a man so much changed in appearance after they were scarred in any manner. I was in a hospital elevator with two young girls who didn't realize I was a burn injury survivor, and their conversation was about a husband, and how this girl did not think she could ever be attracted to him again. This was a devastating conversation for me to hear. I was also told that 90% of relationships are over when one partner is disfigured in any way, an very unfortunate statistic. I had a relationship that had hit hard times, but my injuries sealed the deal for our separation. I'm 60 now and I think I still look attractive, but I completely unsure of my prospects regarding meeting someone I'm attracted to. I've been with many women in my life, and I always wanted the relationship to work out, but because of something about myself or the woman, things never worked out. Who knows what goes wrong, but I don't deny my independent inflexible attitude has had something to do with my lack of success in romance. I don't like being told how I should live or be. Maybe this attitude spells a lonely life for me, but is it so difficult to understand why I would want to be with someone who is not out to change me? I think that I am at a definite disadvantage now, but I also hold out the hope of still meeting a soul mate. The 18 to 22 year old women, who want to be my friend, please stop I'm not interested in your porn sites. My hope still remains the same, to meet someone I could never approach on my own. I need some help in this area. Thanks to anyone who reads this post and might relate.