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After the dark comes sexual light

For my entire career the most common topic I get asked to speak on is disability and sexuality. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to come across some very interesting information which backs up everything I believe about the topic.

During my research I have recently found two very powerful podcasts; one is called OT After Dark and the other Disability After Dark. Both programs focus on breaking down social views about disability to talk about sex from all angles.

I have always considered sexuality to be the most important aspect to my life that gets overlooked by society. It is only by talking to each other that sexuality can be embraced in a safe and consensual way.

As I have said many times, people with disabilities like sex too and yet not only do people like myself have to fight against our physical restrictions of our disabilities but also negative social stereotypes.

Throughout the centuries sexuality and attitudes towards it have seemed to calcify. Back in times of antiquity many forms of sexuality were embraced. It is time to bring that mindset into the present.

I was lucky enough to meet an occupational therapist by the name of Rose Broadway who specialises in assisting people through their sexual journey. The co-presentation we did together has inspired me to reflect on and reiterate some things I feel are important for anybody’s sexuality.

I consider myself a highly sexual person and yet to a lot of people my wheelchair disqualifies me from the right to express this part of my personality.

This however is not the case. I am married and happily so. Ignorant people sometimes suggest that this is just for companionship which could not be further from the truth.

I want everyone reading this to ask themselves if they went blind tomorrow would their sexual feelings disappear? Once you have answered this question I would encourage you all to move forward with a sexuality free mind and take sexuality out of the dark and bring it into the light.

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