Disability Sexuality: Can People With Disability Enjoy Sex?

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People With Disability Can Enjoy Sex Too

Human beings are sexual beings with sexual feelings, desires and thoughts. World Health Organization (WHO) stipulates that sexuality, a basic need and aspect of human beings cannot be separated from other aspects of life.
Discussing menstrual cycles, buying condoms, having infections checked out and asking a doctor about contraceptive options is difficult for most people with disabilities.

Mx Tish Morpheus Geddes, the Senior administrative assistant at Wits Disability Rights Unit disputes a misconception that people with disabilities are asexual, an orientation that affects 1% of the population. Asexuality refers to having no sexual attraction to people of any gender identity or sex.

Mx Tish Morpheus says, “This leads to people with disabilities being placed into an incorrect assumption of our sexual orientations. This placement is furthered by the denial of agency, based on a notion that people with disabilities need to be protected, which in itself is condescending and denies sexual agency between consenting adult partners.”

According to Mbalenhle Nkhumeleni, a T-4 paraplegic,( meaning she has a complete injury of her spinal nerves at the T-4 bone), says, “There is this stigma attached to people with disabilities that if you are sexually active then you are promiscuous, that we actually can’t have healthy sexual relationships just like everyone else or that you should get contraception because you should not have any children, you can’t be a good parent because of a mere disability,” said Mbalenhle Nkhumeleni.

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Having a disability can affect sexual activity in several ways, especially for men with limited mobility, fatigue and chronic pain. This doesn’t mean that such people cannot enjoy a pleasurable sex life. People with chronic pain or facing immobility issues may be compelled to approach sex a little differently than they would want to. They could opt for sex toys and tools if they would want to engage in solo sex or consider various sex positions that can alleviate pain and maximize sexual pleasure when having sex with their partners.

Give Yourself Permission To Be Sexual

Research reports that people with disabilities have internalized the asexuality stereotype which lowers their sexual arousal and desire. Permitting oneself to be sexual either solo or with a partner, allows one to reclaim one’s sexuality and also to live a sexually pleasurable life. Allowing oneself to be a sexual being has sexual benefits especially to do with one’s sexual health. People who are sexually autonomous are said to make informed decisions about their sexual health leading to healthier outcomes.

Use Sex Toys, Tools and Sex Positions That Work For You

There are a number of sex toys and tools that are used by people with limited mobility and chronic pain as well. For instance, a Bump’n sex toy is one that can be used in several ways depending on your sexual needs. It’s designed as a huggable pillow that is well-suited for solo play, all you need to do is insert a number of sex toys into it to grind and hump on too. Pillows and sex wedges could assist you to place your body in a position that suits you most and is most comfortable.

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