Back2UsShow_Dating with a Disability

Dating in general is difficult; but, dating with a disability is daunting at times to say the least.  In 2011, I found myself back on the dating circuit after being married for 14 years.  Not only was the entire dating scene different but I was different--this time I was dating after being diagnoised with Chronic Inflammatory Demylinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP).

I was dating without the ability to define who I was by the work I did because my illness had taken that away from me.  I mean, think about it, the first or second question that we usually ask after meeting someone is “what type of work do you do?”

So I found myself emotionally naked.  I was once told by a potential girlfriend that my limited mobility on some days was simply "too much work and took too much preplanning".  Yes, you do have to think a little more about the accessibility of venues when you date someone with a disability.  

Alanna Higginson, in her Aug 06, 2013 Op-Ed piece in The Advocate wrote “Remember, ability isn't permanent or a right. It can be taken away in an instance. Your life as you know it can be altered dramatically by a terrible accident, mental breakdown, or the even onset of diabetes."