Dating with a disability

Joe_F

I am a single older man with relatively mild congenital CP and other age-related health problems. I am very lonely and am struggling to find a nice woman who wants to go out with me, hopefully leading to a long-term relationship. Being disabled, this is something I have struggled with since teenage years: no-one is interested in someone who isn't "normal". I was recently told by a female friend I had asked for advice '"Women might like you as a friend, but women won't want a relationship with you because of your disability"! I could take the view that someone who really thinks and acts like that isn't worthy of me, let them stew in their own ignorance and discrimination. But, of course, it hurts me badly and reminds me of every cruel rejection of my childhood and youth.  

What do other disabled people out there think? Have you had similar experiences? There doesn't seem to be a good, "mainstream" dating site catering for lonely disabled people looking for love. Do people feel it's time someone reputable (like maybe you, Scope) introduced an online dating offering, to help us live like other, "normal" people?

Joe.     

66Mustang

I have always said there is someone out there for everyone but finding them is the hard part, maybe your suggestion would help people in doing that.

Hannah_Alumni

I am so sorry that "friend" said that to you. And they are not right!

I have had similar experiences where when I tell people I have a stoma, the first question they ask is, but you can still have sex right? *facepalm*.

I think communication is one of the harder parts to dating with a disability.