The Voiceless Minority

  Ahh. . . the world of online dating. It involves so much: finding a potential match, developing a connection, setting up a day and time to meet (assuming the conversation goes anywhere), coordinating a way to get to the location (assuming you need assistance), and then hoping that the date goes well or finding that the person isn’t the right fit.   In the words of Smash Mouth’s “All Star”, “There’s so much to do! So much to see!” This is especially the case for dating as a person with a disability.   I took time to read Disability Horizon’s article on Disability dating sites: how best to find and make a date . The tips that were provided are pretty spot on to what a person should do when they’re seeking a partner online; however, I myself have found failures with online dating.   Here are some of the things that aren’t spoken about when it comes to online dating:   ●       Sometimes, first impressions are deceiving . I...

  Love on the Spectrum U.S. won two Emmy Awards for outstanding casting and directing of a reality program. The docuseries highlights the dating experiences of individuals with autism, offering a rare look at their unique journeys. While some participants, like Abbey and David, find love, others leave without success or experience relationships that don’t last. So why are we still talking about this two months after the Emmys? Because the challenges faced by people with autism in areas like dating are often misunderstood or ignored. Love on the Spectrum U.S. not only shares the personal stories of its participants but also helps foster empathy and understanding, giving viewers a chance to see the importance of representation and inclusivity in media. Does my own dating journey mirror the experiences shown in Love on the Spectrum U.S. ? Not exactly. I was introduced to the concept of dating in junior high, and at the time, I had a very narrow view: meet someone, fall in love...

Hello again, I hope that everyone who is reading this had a great weekend and enjoyed the posts from last week.  On Friday, I wrote about privacy and setting boundaries when you have a disability. This post will examine boundaries also but this time from a different angle. In this piece, we will look at the idea that some people with disabilities tend to rarely find themselves in long-term relationships, because of their inexperience with romantic relationships sometimes they end up unknowingly losing themselves in the relationship and neglecting other parts of their life.  This piece will provide some helpful tips to ensure that any romantic relationship you have as well as the other relationships in your life are balanced.   Anyone who either knows me or reads this blog regularly will be aware of the fact that I am now in a relationship with a little alien by the name of Samantha. What you may not know is Samantha is the first disabled person I have dated and my fi...

According to my friends, I am a twenty-six-year-old male who is funny, charming, and intelligent. Apart from these traits, I do have one that makes me stand out from the crowd. I have a disability. It is known as cerebral palsy. This is not a life-threatening disability, but it does limit my movements and other activities in my life. I am currently going for a master’s degree in education and hold two bachelor’s degrees, one in history and one in theater. By many people’s standards, I would be considered well on my way. However, there are still obstacles I must overcome. As I’ve stated before, in 1990, a piece of legislation was introduced known as the Americans with Disabilities Act. This Act attempted to eliminate as many barriers to inclusion in society for people with disabilities as possible. It specifically focused on five areas, including making it easier for people to access public education, public buildings, and improving communication opportunities. Additionally, it aime...