Dating, Relationships, and Disability

" Using the Let Them Theory for Empowered Dating "  Workshop (August 6) Registration Link Eric McHugh co-created the dating app DATA.ING. The app auto-generates profiles and matches based on users' digital footprints by linking social media accounts, photos, and other data sources to create personality tags. How It Works Unlike traditional dating apps that rely on superficial swiping, DATA.IN...

" Using the Let Them Theory for Empowered Dating "  Workshop (August 6) Registration Link Dr. Victoria Mattingly, CEO of Mattingly Solutions, is an organizational psychologist and author who lives with bipolar disorder and alopecia. Her latest book "Work with an Ally, Act like an Ally" explores two-way partnerships in allyship. Allyship in Romantic Relationships Authentic allyship means takin...

" Using the Let Them Theory for Empowered Dating "  Workshop Registration Link Registration Fee: $10 Stop exhausting yourself trying to manage everyone else's comfort level in dating. This transformative  workshop applies Mel Robbins' revolutionary "Let Them Theory" to dating with disability, teaching you how to preserve your emotional energy for people who actually deserve it. Instead o...

New Feature Submit your question, dilemma, or challenge related to dating here  and I'll answer it anonymously in a podcast. Let Them Reveal Their True Character Stop managing others' comfort with your disability. Let potential partners show who they are through authentic reactions. If someone is uncomfortable, dismissive, or makes thoughtless comments, let them reveal this incompatibility wh...

  Today on the show, Violet Lange, a relationship coach, introduces The Goldilocks Method to dating. Violet overcame trauma and a difficult divorce to find lasting love. She has a deaf daughter with cochlear implants and combines practical strategies with spiritual approaches to dating. Healing Trauma & Attachment Issues Embodiment Practice: Place one hand on heart, one on belly, breathe,...

Register here for  Upcoming Dating Workshop, Authentic Dating Success Path: 5 Stages to Confidence and Connection on  July 9, 6:30pm EDT via zoom . Disability Pride Month July marks Disability Pride Month, commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. The month celebrates achievements of people with disabilities, raises awareness about disability rights,...

Register here for  Upcoming Dating Workshop, Authentic Dating Success Path: 5 Stages to Confidence and Connection on  July 9, 6:30pm EDT via zoom. Dorsey Ross from Westchester, PA has Apert syndrome, a birth defect affecting his hands and face. He's undergone 68 operations throughout his lifetime and hosts "The Dorsey Ross Show" podcast. His motto: "can't" is not in his vocabulary....

Dating confidence comes down to what you believe about yourself and your potential as a partner. Beliefs about yourself help you feel more positive and successful, because whatever you think about yourself gives off energy for how others think of you. The transformation involves moving from "Hopeless, frustrated, devalued" to "a knowing of your worth and what you have to offer." The Foundation: Mo...

Relationship expert Chaya (Jaya Sarah Garcia) shares insights about dating and relationships, particularly for people with disabilities. Chaya, a social worker who can be found on social media as @epicloveexpert, has dedicated her career to helping "super sweet souls" transform their love lives from ordinary to epic. Her mission centers on providing education about relationship behaviors, helping...

  Significant Overlap in Identities Research shows that 36% of LGBTQ+ adults report having a disability, compared to 24% of non-LGBTQ+ adults. Among transgender adults, this figure rises to 52%. This creates a "minority within a minority" situation where individuals face compounding discrimination from both communities. Dating Platform Challenges Dating apps often perpetuate ableism and norma...

Tina Fegley and Tyler Waldman who met on a dating app called Dateability , a platform specifically designed for inclusive dating, share their story on today's podcast. Tina and Tyler will be special guests inside the Dating Made Easier community in June. Join here to get in on the conversation. Tina and Tyler both found mainstream dating apps frustrating—she'd face awkward reactions when mentionin...

Our next workshop is June 4 on Dating, Rejection, and Disability: Finding Resilience and Connection. Register here for just $10. Embracing Summer's Natural Advantages Summer transforms dating for people with disabilities by reducing weather barriers and improving accessibility. Outdoor venues offer more space and flexibility than cramped indoor locations, while warmer weather eliminates the c...

When the same patterns emerge with different people—getting ghosted after a few dates or relationships consistently ending at the three-month mark—it's time to look deeper. These repetitions aren't coincidental but often signal behaviors you're blind to. Dating coaches excel at spotting these patterns and developing strategies to break free from cycles keeping you from meaningful relationships. Th...

Building Self-Esteem Through Guidance Dating mentors provide crucial external perspective for people with disabilities, helping them recognize their unique qualities beyond societal beauty standards. These mentors highlight attractive characteristics beyond physical traits, fostering genuine self-esteem independent of social validation. They help individuals see themselves as complete people whose...

  Download the resource guide for this podcast episode, My Relationship Vision. You cannot expect qualities from others that you haven't developed within yourself, including comfort with your disability. Personal growth and disability acceptance create an authentic foundation that naturally attracts compatible partners. Understanding your values, embracing disability as part of your identity,...

Emotional intimacy forms the core of meaningful romantic relationships, built on vulnerability, trust, and communication. While people with disabilities may face unique dating considerations, these universal principles remain essential for developing deep connections. The Power of Vulnerability What many perceive as weakness actually demonstrates remarkable strength in relationships. For individua...

Sexual violence against people with disabilities remains largely invisible in conversations about disability justice and sexual violence prevention. Survivors with disabilities experience mental health impacts at significantly higher rates than non-disabled survivors, with PTSD affecting up to 45%, depression affecting 50-60%, and anxiety disorders impacting 40-55%. People with disabilities who ex...

  Alarming Statistics People with disabilities face a devastating and largely invisible epidemic of sexual violence. The statistics are alarming: individuals with disabilities experience sexual assault at rates seven times higher than those without disabilities, with women with disabilities facing double the risk compared to non-disabled women. For those with intellectual or developmental dis...

Rejection in dating affects everyone, but disability adds a unique layer of vulnerability. When facing rejection, it's easy to wonder if your disability influenced the outcome. Remember that rejection is universal for anyone seeking connection - the difference is in questioning if someone couldn't see past your disability to appreciate your full worth. Acknowledging the Hurt Allow yourself to feel...

You sit across from someone who makes your heart flutter, wondering if tonight is the night you'll mention your diagnosis. Unlike a visible disability, your multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, or chronic fatigue syndrome remains hidden beneath the surface of your appearance. This invisibility creates a unique challenge—you look "normal" while battling symptoms within. The question of when and how to dis...

When dating with a disability, believing "I am a worthy partner with a lot to contribute" becomes foundational. This mindset influences everything from dating profiles to conversation styles. Those who genuinely see their own value communicate with confidence—leading with interests and accomplishments rather than disability, initiating passionate conversations, expressing unqualified opinions, and...

Resilience isn't just about surviving the dating scene—it's about transforming challenges into strengths. Your life experiences have shaped you into someone who can adapt and thrive in difficult situations. When facing ableism, accessibility issues, non-inclusive dating platforms, and the complexities of disability disclosure, resilience keeps you moving forward. Dating Burnout Burnout manifests a...

The Confidence Gap You're confident in your career, friendships, and personal growth, moving with assured grace. Yet in dating, you second-guess every move. This contrast isn't uncommon, but understanding its roots can help bridge the gap. Why Dating Feels Different Dating vulnerability combines personal rejection with romantic intimacy—a uniquely exposing combination. Professional rejection relat...

Register for Managing the Emotional Roller Coaster of Dating workshop here.   Dating with a disability adds distinctive dimensions to the universal experience of seeking romance. This journey requires both individuals to develop deep wells of empathy as they navigate a world experienced differently. True understanding goes beyond sympathy, demanding active engagement with lived experiences, c...

Understanding Disability in Relationships Finding love as someone with a disability means seeking a partner who understands and celebrates your whole self, including your disability as an integral part of your identity. Reflect on what meaningful disability inclusion and acceptance look like to you personally, and consider how potential partners demonstrate their understanding of disability rights...