Lori Coates heads down the aisle after 12 fruitless years when rocket scientist looks beyond the superficial photo: Washington Post

Well employed rocket scientist ignores personal history of social wallflower

Stephen Pate, NJN Network, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, September 5, 2009 satire based on superficial Washington Post

After a dozen years fruitless dating, Lori Coates signed up for eHarmony. She found a brilliant rocket scientist with a high-paying job at NASA who was willing to ignore her social failures and think positive.

Dan Powell, who’s a paraplegic and a rocket scientist for NASA, was worried she was just another shallow chick. He met them before with their phony on-line persona.

Dick had heard all. “I love moonlight walks on the beach, candlelit dinners for two, and making you that special meal.”

Once the women knew he worked for NASA they just saw the dollar signs and nice house in Georgetown.

At first Dick didn’t tell her about NASA. He told her about his life, his music – he plays harp and sings in a folk club, his love for sports and strolls in the parks around his home.

When she asked for a first date as a moonlit walk along the beach in South Carolina, Dick put her off. Too far he said. Too cold in February. Then he admitted his electronic wheels didn’t like sand.

How about meeting at the local folk club where Dick played harmonica in a jam band?

Lori agreed to come on her own being cautious. First dates were not her forte. Too close, too much talk and it never worked out after 12 years of trying.

When she got to the folk club, Dick was in the middle of Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe”. He was singing the chorus like he meant it.

Lori looked worried. She ordered a Shiraz and sat in the booth next to the stage.

On the count of three, the band started the chord changes to a another song.

Dick started to sing. “Lay lady lay, lay across my big brass bed, stay lady stay, stay while the night is still ahead.”

In that minute Lori knew this could be the guy. Independent, smart, fun and a lover.

When his set was done, Dick wheeled down from the stage and joined her.

Later that night he let it slip he was a NASA scientist and had a PhDs in nuclear physics and macro-biology.

Lori didn’t wince or flinch. She didn’t seem to care. She wanted a warm, funny guy who like Bob Dylan. Dick was the one.

Dick thought to himself “Maybe this girl will like me for what I am not what I earn at NASA.”

They dated for months.

Lori “says he was “one of the smartest guys I’ve ever met, and that was a little bit intimidating.”

The couple was married on Aug. 22 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Arlington.” Washington Post

Dick's wedding cake, stay back man he's a rocket scientist photo: Washington Post

Postscript

Tens of millions of disabled people fall in love and get married to people without disabilities all over the world.

We don’t care because we know someday if you live long enough you will be disabled too.

For the original condescending and stereotyped article, see the Washington Post. It’s a nice photo spread but silly copy.