Dating, Relationships, and Disability

  Visualizing the person you want to meet as a potential partner is a crucial step in the process of dating, as well as finding a loving and happy relationship. This practice helps clarify your desires and priorities, ensuring you have a clear understanding of what you are looking for. I think many people underestimate the value of your own clarity in searching for a partner. By forming a men...

One of my life goals is to “move the needle” on people with disabilities being more viewed as dating and intimate partners. Inclusive dating is a significant part of making that happen. Inclusive dating is all about welcoming and respecting diversity, making sure all people feel accepted and valued. This approach emphasizes the importance of equality and inclusivity in romantic relationships, ensu...

Maintaining healthy and positive belief systems about oneself and relationships is crucial for mental health, especially in the context of dating. Belief systems shape our perceptions, actions, and interactions. When these beliefs are positive, they promote self-worth, resilience, and constructive behavior, which are essential for navigating the complexities of romantic relationships. Conversely,...

Believing that you are worthy of finding love and happiness begins with the realization that your current thoughts and beliefs are simply reflections of what you have accepted as true in the past. If you want to change these beliefs, you must first acknowledge that they exist and then make a conscious decision to change your mind about them. This process starts with recognizing the beliefs you've...

Make dating more possible for you! Join our webinar on Dating Simplified in Three Easy Steps and discover how to make your dating journey easier and more successful with just three simple steps. Register for the webinar here . Maintaining rock-solid confidence while dating with a disability requires inner strength and resilience, especially in the face of negative comments, rejection, and others n...

Maintaining self-esteem while dating with a disability is both empowering and challenging. Affirming oneself is crucial in this journey of probably taking the biggest risk with your heart of putting yourself out there to be vulnerable, show up exactly as you are, disability and all, and face rejection. Last week I did an broad perspective episode on how dating can be a mental health issue as we ki...

I unfortunately lost my voice so today you're enjoying a replay of a popular episode on "Feeling Attractive." It's a good cue for the remainder of the episodes in May about preserving your mental health when dating. "I don't feel attractive." If you haven’t said that at some point in your life, I think you’re in a very small and fortunate group. Most of us have grappled with this feeling, which is...

Dating and choosing healthy relationships significantly impact mental health due to their profound influence on emotions, self-esteem, and overall well-being. First, the process of dating itself can evoke a wide range of emotions, from excitement and anticipation to anxiety and vulnerability. These emotional fluctuations can exacerbate existing mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders or...

Making meaningful connections is a fundamental aspect of human existence, vital for emotional well-being and personal growth. The strategy of making meaningful connections goes beyond mere socializing; it involves actively engaging in relationships that enrich our lives and contribute positively to our sense of belonging. Breaking the cycle of loneliness and isolation requires learning new skills...

As mentioned in the last episode, here's the TV interview I did on dating with a disability. Dating can be a complex journey for anyone, but for people with disabilities, it often comes with additional challenges. One significant hurdle is societal attitudes and misconceptions surrounding disability, which can lead to isolation and a lack of dating opportunities. Many individuals with disabilities...

April is observed as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, serving as a poignant reminder of the prevalence and impact of sexual violence in our society. It's a time to raise awareness, educate communities, and advocate for prevention measures. One crucial aspect often overlooked is the intersectionality of sexual assault, particularly concerning people with disabilities. Shockingly, individuals with di...

In a society where stereotypes often overshadow their potential for romantic connections, people with disabilities face the challenge of being seen as worthy partners. However, your journey isn't limited by these preconceptions but rather defined by unique insights and experiences that can reshape perceptions and foster meaningful relationships beyond mere friendship. Part of the mission I’m on is...

You know my parents were matched on a blind date and they had a love affair with one another that lasted for 65 years of marriage. Of course I’m profoundly grateful that my parents had friends that thought they would make a good couple and set them up. There’s a lot of power in matching people with potential partners. It can change lives and lead to very fulfilling relationships. Many people, both...

Dating can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for individuals with disabilities, yet it often comes with unique challenges and apprehensions. These challenges can be so overwhelming at times that you can get stuck in “I don’t know what to do.” Today with all the choices in dating platforms and more and more people using them, I get why you would feel like “I just don’t know what to do.” But...

Dating can be intimidating for anyone, but if you're living with a disability, it might feel like an impossible hurdle to overcome. One of my core beliefs about dating is that dating, for anyone, can be a puzzle to be figured out - in your own way. You may just need guidance and support in doing so. One of the areas this is very true is how to meet new people. While many people find their partners...

For the last few weeks we’ve been looking at The Big Three challenges in dating with a disability - Communicating with potential dates, figuring out how to meet people, and issues that are specific to disability, such as accessibility and transportation. I would easily argue that most people dating, disability or not, struggles with the first two. If you haven’t listened to them, I would encourage...

There are obviously many challenges to dating with a disability. After all, that’s why I have created a podcast devoted to these issues, as well as my work. Over the last few weeks we have been looking at the The Big Three challenges of dating with a disability: communication, how to meet people, and disability related issues specific to dating. Today we’re looking at the last of the Big Three. Wh...

The most common question I get on dating is, "How do I meet people?" It’s one of the top three challenges people with disabilities (and I’m sure people without as well) report as being a barrier to dating. I did an episode on how to meet people back in episode 29. It gives a good structure for combining the familiar with new venues to meet people. Today, I want to expand on this and look more at w...

Initiating Conversations  >>>Get the brand new Initiating Conversations guide here <<< Initiating conversations with people we are attracted to or interested in requires a combination of confidence, effective communication, and genuine interest in the other person. Firstly, confidence plays a crucial role in breaking the ice. Confidence doesn't mean arrogance; it's about bei...

When I was younger, I wasn’t very interested in research, mainly doing research. It’s the main reason why I never pursued getting a PhD even though I was encouraged by my professors to do so. However as I have gotten further and further along in my career and especially in my work with dating, relationships and disability, I really see the value of it as a means of figuring out solutions to proble...

Do you often feel the dating industry does NOT get disability? Or at the very least. you don’t see a lot of representation of disabled people? In 2022, the dating industry in the US was a $10 billion industry, expected to grow to $24 billion by 2032. Yet, it seems like people with disabilities are not included in designing apps, marketing, or just valuing diversity. I was thrilled when I was invit...

Today we're delving into three essential communication skills that can transform your dating and relationship experiences. We'll also go over practical tips for mastering these skills. Listen for the actionable steps to help you cultivate these skills. The Art of Listening Our first key skill is often overlooked but plays a pivotal role in any successful relationship – the art of listening. In the...

Share your thoughts about the podcast here . Today, we're taking a look at the skills that lead to meaningful connections in dating. While that’s obviously been the intention of dating as long as dating has been around, I definitely feel in the last few years with our post Covid world and so many people meeting online, that developing a meaningful connection with someone has become even more chall...

We're diving into the incredible world of resilience, and how living with a disability can actually be a superpower when it comes to dating and relationships. So, you might be wondering, "How on earth can THIS be a superpower?" Well, let me tell you, it's all about resilience—the ability to bounce back, adapt, and thrive in the face of adversity. Now, imagine this: you're navigating the world with...

On today’s show we’re keeping it real and tackling the tough stuff with a side of humor. We're diving into a topic that many of us can relate to but might not talk about enough—dealing with mean comments about dating with a disability. Yep, we're going there! Facing Mean Comments in the Dating World So, picture this: You're out there in the dating world, swiping left and right, and then bam! You c...