Guides
First date checklist for people with chronic conditions
Practical things to think through before, during, and after — so you can focus on the person.
The best first date is one where you spend more time thinking about the person than managing preventable problems.
Before you go
Consider:
Medication
Do you need anything with you?
Food
Can you safely eat at the location?
Bathrooms
Is access adequate?
Mobility
Is the location accessible?
Energy
Is the timing realistic?
Transportation
Do you have a way home if you need to leave early?
Emergency information
Is there anything you normally carry?
Keep it proportional
You do not need to turn a date into a medical expedition.
The purpose of preparation is to make health management quieter in the background.
Keep basic dating safety too
Meet publicly.
Maintain your own transportation when practical.
Tell someone where you're going.
Don't let sympathy override caution.
And never send money to an online romantic interest you haven't met—FTC guidance is explicit about this common romance-scam pattern.
FTC: What You Need to Know About Romance Scams (external link)
Then put the checklist away.
Go meet the person.