Can Disabled Dating Bring Hope?

“Can I have a girlfriend, teacher?” asked one of my students Iskandar. I looked at the boy and was speechless. I did not know whether I would be giving him false hope and unrealistic expectations or giving him more faith to believe for a better future.

The school I was volunteering at were for kids who were mildly to moderately mentally handicapped mostly because of Down Syndrome. Iskandar was mildly handicapped and was just short of qualifying for the local school system.

He was a very cheerful and polite boy and who is blessed with a loving and supportive family. Having a loving and supportive family and environment is critical for a disable person. It could make or break them.

The question from Iskandar had been in my heart for a long time even after I have stopped volunteering because of too many commitments in family, work and life. Should disabled people – be it physical or mental be encouraged to form dating relationships that could potentially lead to marriage? What positives can disabled dating bring?

Firstly, it’s not really a question of whether they can or not. Every person has the freedom to express their beliefs, ideas and passion. However, while all things are permissible, not everything is beneficial and careful and wise reflection should be given especially when such a question is posed to us by sincere individuals.

Over the years, I have mingled and made friends with people who are visually and physically handicapped who try to fit in and live a “normal” life in society. Disabled dating is often the last thing on their mind because they are burdened with many worries – financial, relationship and health.

Come to think of it, they are definitely just like normal people just with different problems to deal with. Not to digress from the main purpose of this article, I would argue that every person always has some form of disability and the greatest disabilities are unseen rather than seen.

A prideful, stubborn and lazy attitude is a terrible disability for example. A girl who had been sexually abused since young might carry emotional scars and wounds that could make her emotionally disabled and prevent her from ever having an authentic romantic relationship unless she receives healing and restoration within.

So in a way, everyone experiences disabled dating because we all have our imperfections both physically and emotionally and our own unique set of problems.

However, for the sake of our readers, let us talk more about the practical pros and cons of disabled dating from the perspective of physical and mental disabilities. As mentioned earlier, everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. A friend of mine has a relative (let’s give him the name “Joe”) who lost one of his leg in a car accident.

Thankfully, Joe is a man of strong character, maturity and wisdom. He voluntarily left his managerial position although the company wanted him to stay badly and “create” some role to fit him in. He told me as we were hanging out one day,”I know who I am, Paul. I don’t want any free hand outs.

Even with this leg gone, I can still create and add value for people in other ways.” I was moved, encouraged and inspired by his faith and sense of dignity. Joe is now an established consultant from the field he used to be a manager. He is also a savvy investor and is a partner of several small and medium enterprises. I admire his great and inspirational comeback.

“Disabled dating?” Joe looked at me and smiled. “Yes I do think about having a dating relationship sometimes.”

After the accident, Joe asked his fiancee to leave and to move on. I don’t know how he did it..but it must had been very painful.

“I know, Paul. It would definitely make life happier and more meaningful because you have a closer friend, a companion to share your life with,” said Joe. “But we’ve got to think further than that too you know. Everyone is free to pursue the relationship of their dreams and I encourage them to.

Personally, I guess I think too much about the future. Because I believe that dating should be taken seriously and dating can lead to marriage and marriage is for life. If I become a father, who is going to play football with the kids?

And in this wheel chair, I am more liable for accidents to happen at home and if something happens who will take care of the family?” Joe speaks passionately and it was obvious it was something close to his heart.

Well, I have met families where mum and dad are blind while the child isn’t. While these families often struggle financially because the parents can’t bring in substantial income, they are happy and they learn how to make it work. I admire them greatly and my heart goes out to all these people who DARE to love and to shoulder the responsibility of taking care of others.

Disabled dating CAN bring hope.

But you must have hope in yourself first! Because if the relationship doesn’t work out, like everyone else you will spiral down the hole of depression because you are not assured of your self worth and value.

I wish I could travel back to the moment when Iskandar asked me that question and give him a real answer rather than just silence. I would tell him “Iskandar, can you love someone and be committed to that person and take responsibility for that person for the rest of your life even if it doesn’t work out? You can be all that you have within yourself to be! Dream big and work hard to make all your dreams come true.”

To all in the disabled community, I thank you. Your life and your courage to continue living inspires the world. Keep looking at the possibilities and keep walking toward the dream that beats and pulsates within your heart. All the best.

world of warcraft account temporarily disabled?

i was on vacation for a week and i come back to my accounts password being changed. so i did all the stuff and got it back i have the password now but when i try to log in it says my account is temporarily disabled.
how long does it last for or how do i get it so i can play again?

DO ya know of any Disabled Summer Camps in Michigan or near Michigan?

Where are the best boarding schools for learning disabled or developmental delayed children?

I would like to find a good summer camp for my child or even look into a school. If there are any in Georgia please enquire.

Disabled Travellers: Plan, Prepare and Protect Your Policy

You’ve booked your holiday and you know exactly where you want to go and what sights you plan on seeing, the question is; are you fully prepared? As a disabled traveller it is important you attempt to anticipate as many hurdles that could potentially present themselves to you as possible. From contacting the airline to ensure they can cater to your needs as well as ensuring the receiving airport can receive you successfully and with as few hiccups as possible.

If you are a wheelchair user it is important to make sure you choose a carrier that will take into consideration your limitations. Similarly it is important to check that your entire journey is accessible, it is not about planning the perfect trip only to find out that at the other end the airport cannot receive you. Consider the more remote areas in the world or the less developed nations, a lot of them do not have ramped access and so if you have not taken this into consideration prior to the purchase of your ticket and it comes to your attention just before you are due to travel you may feel your travel insurance should cover you and compensate you the cost of a cancellation.

You may find yourself in a very uncomfortable situation when you find the provider refuses to honour the claim. Being aware of your limitations you are expected to take the necessary steps to ensure the seamless nature of your vacation. By not carrying out the necessary checks prior to your departure you are proving to be negligent.

Similarly if you were a driver but could only drive an automatic and failed to mention that when placing a reservation for your rental vehicle, subsequently on your arrival the only cars available were manual, your failure to mention your limitations is likely to automatically make you ineligible for a refund. In such an instance, your insurer is highly likely to agree with the rental company and will refuse to honour any claim related to the cancellation.

Before travelling it is vital you cover as many bases as possible, this should be of the upmost importance to any traveller who suffers from an impairment. Whether it is limited sight or weak limbs you should make sure you inform the various institutions involved in your travelling expedition of any factors that may affect your trip and your enjoyment of it.

When it comes to taking out travel insurance it is vital you are completely honest as any discrepancies will be noted and may nullify the entire policy. When it comes to making a claim, knowing that insurers do not actually want to hand over any cash to their customers it is in your best interest to make sure you are never to blame. Negligence is one of the main reasons travel insurance claims are refused, extra preparation on your part therefore is required to ensure it is not something the company finds you guilty of.

Neglecting to inform your travel insurer of any ongoing health conditions for which you need cover for while you are abroad will mean if your condition flares up while you are aware and you attempt to claim the cost of treatment from your insurer, the very insurer you neglected to inform of the condition is almost guaranteed to refuse your claim, leaving you to pick up the tab. If you have enough foresight to take out life insurance you should try to do all that you can to protect that investment.

Disabled Man Eaten by Orca

Video of Scott Rains, travel and tourism accessibility expert, adventure seeker and person with a disability. Footage taken from his most recent adventure, kayaking in Glacier Bay, Alaska. The device is the McKinnon Hugger and allows individuals with disabilities to transfer from boat to kayak. Don’t forget to watch through the credits. You can find out more at: www.RollingRains.com (accessible travel) and www.DayinWashington.com (disability policy) PS No, he did not get eaten by a killer whale