Spread the love

Point Of View

Navigating Dating

With A Disability

by Frechena Russ

As a 24 year old, you want to go on dates and be single… right?  Well, when you have a disability, there is a bit more to it. I have cerebral palsy, so I’m more dependent than most cases.   As a girl from the South, the unwritten rule is that a woman has to be able to take care of her man.   However, my situation is the exact opposite.  I’m intentionally dating to find someone who can handle not only me, but my disability as well.

In “singleness,” being able to own who you are before you give yourself to someone else is key. As a college graduate and entrepreneur, I felt it was time to be more social. When you have a disability, self awareness comes extremely early.  Single people have different motivational reasons for dating and along the way often forget to have fun. Shooting your best shot you have to elevate yourself and take the risks.  The risks are a bit higher being disabled because you are trusting someone else to take care of you and your heart.  The ones that take on the challenge are brave and those who complete it are keepers. They may be attractive, but if their hearts are not in the right place, it won’t work.

A disabled person may not be able to physically contribute to the relationship, but mentally and emotionally, they’re awesome.  Dating is about trying to figure that out together. A disability should not affect your ability to find love. The definition of love is a sacrifice.  If an individual cannot do that then they aren’t ready to love anyone other than themselves.  The process of dating is filled with hits and misses as you get to know people along the way.

 

Leave a Reply