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The original was posted on /r/ehlersdanlos by /u/Strawberrytracks on 2023-10-06 15:41:43.

Hey y’all! I’ve been hanging out with my friends a lot more recently, which is awesome! But in spending more time with them, the odd behavior of my joints has become more noticeable.

I’ve known one of my friends since kindergarten (I’m 26 now), so she’s not really surprised at all about it, just occasionally concerned when I injure myself. I met my other friend in college and she is only now realizing how severely my joints are effected. In addition to the joint hypermobility, I also have an elbow deformity (cubitus valgus) that is apparent whenever I hold my arm out.

I understand being creeped out by “party tricks”, but she’s reacted badly to even just pictures of me where I was not intentionally “showing off”. She’s never been outright mean about it, like calling it “gross” or anything like that, but she does scream and cover her eyes/look away. I don’t want to be harsh with her as I can tell that she truly finds it to be disturbing, but I still find it hurtful to be treated like body horror. We’re both autistic, so I’m not sure if maybe she just doesn’t realize that that kind of reaction could be perceived as hurtful.

Have any of you dealt with this? Do you have any advice as to how to deal with it delicately?