This blog was written by Dolly Malone, a 26-year-old stroke survivor- living it up in a wheelchair with her trusty cat by her side.
Being in a wheelchair hinders a lot of things. But it doesn’t have to hinder you from a healthy relationship and sex life. Disabilities can make you self-conscious in the bedroom, they can make you question your performance and make you wonder if you are enough for your partner.
It’s useful to remember that if your partner were not attracted to you… you wouldn’t be in the bedroom anyway. These things that might run through your head are actually really small issues. Your partner is more than likely feeling just as self-conscious as you are, they may feel nervous or questioning their performance too.
If you were not enough for your partner- they would have moved on and most likely met someone else who is.
Try your best to relax and enjoy the moment. Behaviour breeds behaviour – so if you start acting different and nervous, it’s likely that they may sense that and act the same. Even if you don’t feel confident, fake it till you make it. A lot of men like a woman who is confident and simply because you are in a wheelchair your confidence should not be shattered. Be proud that you are different from anyone else.
Being in a wheelchair does not mean that you are not entitled to an intimate relationship. One-night stands are not what you need. Someone who understands your body and how it works is much more desirable. However, I understand the dating game can be…difficult when you are in a wheelchair. For me, a relationship is not essential however, for some it is a requirement. Wheelchair or not, it doesn’t make you any less of a human being, and in turn, it doesn’t make your wish for a relationship or sex life any different from anyone else. YOU are no different from anyone else
The dating game has changed. It’s no longer easy to meet someone in a bar, it’s tinder and online dating. On these sites, I’ve found it to be very difficult to portray that… yes, I am in a wheelchair, but no, I am not a vegetable! Don’t get me wrong, sometimes these websites can work and you can meet a life-long partner.
You should never be left feeling embarrassed or ashamed. That is not the aim of the game. You should never feel ashamed of who you are, least of all in the bedroom with someone that you care about. It is empowering to be naked and natural with someone you care for and your concerns and worries become irrelevant.
So, don’t allow yourself to get hung up on silly things and don’t allow something like a wheelchair to hold you back from an intimate relationship. You are perfect and most of all you are a survivor! Get out and enjoy yourself! You never know who you might meet. 
– Dolly
