Dating, Relationships, and Disability

Growing up in a marginalized community, you may face unique challenges in dating that others don’t fully understand. Social stigma can feel overwhelming, but you deserve love, connection, and joy, regardless of societal biases. Embrace Your Authentic Self You may feel pressured to downplay parts of your identity to fit mainstream dating norms. However, authenticity is your greatest strength. When...

Asking someone with a disability about their sexual capabilities is profoundly dehumanizing and ableist, revealing a deeply problematic view that reduces individuals to their physical conditions rather than recognizing them as complex, multifaceted human beings. Such invasive questioning fundamentally disrespects personal boundaries, assumes that disability somehow negates sexual agency or intimac...

Dating with a disability introduces unique challenges that center around vulnerability and communication. The journey of connecting with potential partners is often marked by a delicate dance of self-disclosure, where individuals must navigate the complex terrain of when and how to share their experiences and needs. Breaking Through Fear: The Power of Early Communication The initial hesitation to...

Dating and Disability: An Overlooked Quality of Life Issue Dating and relationships are a critical yet often overlooked aspect of disability advocacy, playing a vital role in the quality of life for people with disabilities. While discussions frequently center on healthcare access, employment, and accessibility, the impact of romantic relationships on disabled individuals' well-being deserves more...

Dating begins with recognizing your desire for meaningful connection amid today's complex landscape of apps and social expectations. Initial doubts and insecurities surface, revealing that the journey is as much about self-discovery as finding partnership. Navigating the Digital Space Creating profiles and sending first messages becomes a delicate dance of authenticity and presentation. Each inter...

Are you tired of endless swiping and dates that feel more like job interviews? You're not alone. Today we're exploring why your path to meaningful relationships doesn't begin with the perfect profile picture – it starts with understanding yourself. You'll discover how self-awareness becomes your greatest asset in navigating modern dating and creating authentic connections. The Hidden Operating Sys...

Register here for Dating Made Easier and the Doing the Impossible in Dating workshop on January 8. People with disabilities can transform their dating lives by healing body shame and embracing their authentic selves. Our deep dive reveals that body shame isn't innate - it's learned and can be unlearned through self-acceptance and challenging societal beauty standards. Mainstream media's narrow rep...

You're being welcomed into an intimate and empowering conversation that speaks directly to your experience navigating relationships and disability during the holiday season. Moving beyond common narratives of challenge, you're guided through a refreshing exploration of hope, connection, and authentic love. As you listen, you're invited to discover how love manifests in your life beyond traditional...

Happy Holidays! We  dive deep into reimagining the holiday season through the lens of disability and authentic connection. We explore not just the challenges, but the rich opportunities for meaningful relationships that arise during this festive time. You'll hear about how love shows up in unexpected ways – it's not always about that romantic partner, but maybe it's that friend who truly gets...

  The holiday season, often centered around family and togetherness, can amplify feelings of isolation, particularly for those navigating dating while feeling marginalized. Loneliness during this time is common, but it’s also manageable. We’ll discuss strategies to turn this season into an opportunity for self-discovery and social connection. From reaching out to friends for casual meet-ups t...

Dating App Boundaries: Protecting Your Well-Being In this episode, we dive into the critical topic of setting boundaries on dating apps. Dating online can be exciting, but it also comes with unique challenges that make establishing clear personal limits essential. Why Boundaries Matter Boundaries are more than just protection—they're a powerful statement of self-worth. By clearly communicating you...

  Check out the Annual Sale for Dating Made Easier here. Check out our sale on professional training and our Empowering Healthy Relationships curriculum. Boundaries are not about pushing people away, but creating deeper, more meaningful connections through mutual respect and understanding. They act like invisible property lines around your emotional and physical space, helping to eliminate mi...

Check out the Annual Sale for Dating Made Easier here. Check out our sale on professional training and our Empowering Healthy Relationships curriculum. The Power of Decision-Making: Breaking Free from Paralysis We've all experienced that moment of being stuck, overwhelmed by choices and afraid to move forward. But here's a powerful truth: making a decision, any decision, can be transformative. Dec...

Looking for a fresh approach to dating? Consider asking three people you know if they're aware of anyone single who might be interested in dating. This strategy leverages your existing social network and reveals potential connections you might not have discovered otherwise. When you initiate these conversations, you're subtly expanding your dating possibilities. Your connections might not immediat...

Click here  or here  for the very special early offer mentioned in the podcast. In today’s dating world, where dating apps and casual relationships dominate, finding meaningful connections can feel more challenging than ever. The fast-paced, swipe-driven culture often reduces potential partners to quick judgments, making it hard to build trust or develop deeper bonds. Casual relationship...

  Key Links: Register here for the November 6 Dating Narrative Workshop. Check out the Firewalk book mentioned in the podcast. Connect with Angie here . Ever wondered if a disability could break the bonds of love? This week's episode proves that love can grow even stronger through life's biggest challenges.  Meet Angie von de Wall, whose marriage was tested when a biking accident caused...

Have you ever thought about what your dating narrative is? Whether you realize it or not, there’s a story you tell yourself about your dating life. This narrative shapes how you approach relationships, influences your confidence, and impacts the way you show up in potential partnerships. It’s the running dialogue in your mind that interprets your past experiences and creates expectations for your...

The work I do with people around dating and relationships is personal with disabilities. What I mean by this is I help you with the only thing you can control about dating - yourself. I think a big reason why people struggle with dating and relationships is they don’t realize how influential their own personal growth and skill development is to meaningful connections and relationship success. That...

If you’ve experienced adversity in dating because of being marginalized for your disability or appearance, it can be easy to feel discouraged. You may have faced rejection or felt misunderstood by people who couldn't see beyond what makes you different. But giving up on finding a partner means closing the door on one of life’s most fulfilling experiences. Love, companionship, and intimacy are with...

For centuries, people with disabilities have struggled to be seen, to have others look at us and recognize us for the people we are. As I said in a recent episode, historically we have either been gawked at as though our differences are too bizarre for the mind to wrap its head around or we’re ignored because it’s easier for others to just not allow us into their ecosystem. Being Seen This is prob...

I think it’s part of the human experience to struggle against how others perceive or judge us and keep returning to how we define ourselves. This is especially true when you live with a disability or some other obvious difference. This can also certainly be amplified by dating and putting yourself out there to meet new people.  Define Yourself Method The Define Yourself method empowers you to...

I’ve been sharing various techniques and strategies we not only teach but help you to really embody within our Dating Made Easier community. Ultimately, dating in general is about getting that relationship you want. However, much of the time in your dating journey, you don’t get what you want, do you? So how is it that we can teach a “Getting What I Want” method? As with most of the support and re...

From time to time, I like to share concepts I teach inside the Dating Made Easier community about developing a mindset for not only successful dating, but for greater happiness in life. You Are More Than Judgments You Are More Than Judgments teaches you how to detach your sense of self-worth from the judgments of others. It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking approval or fearing disapproval, e...

When considering your needs in dating and relationships, it's helpful to think about them in terms of a hierarchy, much like Maslow's hierarchy of needs. At the base level, you must first feel safe, both emotionally and physically, before you can focus on higher-level needs such as love, belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Each of these needs plays a crucial role in the foundation and growt...

One of the key struggles for many who have been marginalized in the dating scene is feeling like a disability or other significant difference is a detractor for others. Whether you believe it’s seen as a burden, a barrier, or something that takes away from who you are, that belief just won’t serve you well for drawing the right relationships to you. If this is something you’re struggling with or y...