- Join us for a special #HAchat on the topic of sexuality and disability. Guest host: @dystoniamuse! hub.am/YanEWz
- Excited for today’s #HAchat on disability & sexuality. Follow the hashtag to tune in at 3pm! #cysticfibrosis
- Welcome to today’s chat on Disability & Sexuality hosted by Pamela Sloate of @dystoniamuse and dystoniamuse.com #HAChat
- Pamela Sloate of @dystoniamuse here. I’m thrilled to be setting intimacy on the table so don’t be shy!
#hachat - I’m looking for your thoughts on sexuality in your health communications and your lives. #hachat
- Let’s start by agreeing sexuality’s an area of our lives that can be impacted but is hardly defined by disability/chronic illness. #hachat
- Further, there’s no such thing as the perfect body & anyone – disabled or ab
le-bodied – can have problems in the bedroom! #hachat - T1.1 – So, Health Activists, how if at all do you broach sexuality, intimacy or romantic relationships with your communities? #hachat
- T1.1 I have to be honest, it’s not something I talk about on my blog/Twitter very often, if at all. #cysticfibrosis #hachat
- T1.1 I discuss it on my blog, so it’s a one-way conversation (except for comments.) I’m very direct about it. #HAchat
- T1.1 There was a chronicbabe.com chat about this in a discussion board last week – an issue for a lot of people #HAchat
- #hachat this is such an un approached topic. Can I clarify, are we only discussing physical disabilities, or are developmental fair game?
- It seems like this conversation is rare in online communities. Why? Do you think there’s value in having this conversation? #HAChat
- T1.2 – Well, now that we’re here discussing, what are messages you’d like to get across relative to disability & sexuality? #hachat
- T1.1 I have/am planning to talk about my relationship w/my husband in a more general sense, from the perspective of chronic illness. #hachat
- Sex issues magnify the shame that often attends disability. Make it safe to discuss the shame. #HAchat
- Sexuality is a huge topic in life but I echo everyones sentiment that convos about it are sparse in the online health community #HAchat
- T1.2 It’s important for people to understand that disabilities and sexiness are not mutually exclusive #HAchat
- T1.3 – Speaking of messages, what do you think are the biggest misconceptions about disability & sexuality? #hachat
- Society is sex negative as it is. Whatever repression/shaming exists in the world is only magnified by disability or illness. #hachat
- T.2. Let’s get to your feelings on intimacy & sexuality, how important a role do they play in your lives? #hachat
- People sometimes see the “disabled” label as applying to everything, including sexuality, so we have to remind them we love sex too #HAchat
- T2 It plays a huge part. I’m someone that likes affection, it’s a way of connecting w/my partner. #hachat
- T.2 having supportive relationships helps when dealing with chronic illness/pain. #hachat
- T2.1 Intimacy is a way for me to connect with another human being I care about and to express my feelings and affection. #hachat
- And don’t forget, orgasms are good for pain! Those endorphins are a natural and powerful pain killer! #hachat
- It’s often the case that sex and intimacy are confused #hachat
- Good point. They aren’t the same thing. RT @MrPaddyDoyle: Its often the case that sex and intimacy are confused #hachat
- T2.3 – Do you feel your disability/chronic illness affects your sexual confidence or inhibits you from expressing your sexuality? #hachat
- T2.2 – I’ve been self-conscious about my Dystonia most of my life but I’ve always felt very sexy and to be a sexual person. #hachat
- @susanmees If I don’t feel good about myself how can I expect anyone else to feel good about me. If I feel sexy, that’s good. #hachat
- P.S. if anyone has a post on this topic to recommend or wants to write a guest post email us editorial @wegohealth.com. #hachat
- Your body will never be good enough if you have low self esteem. A mixture of a healthy mindset AND a healthy body are the best #hachat
- T3 – Moving to a related topic, do romantic relationships pose particular challenges for you? #hachat
- T3.1 I have a fear of rejection anyway and the health issues compound that, so that’s put up a wall #HAchat
- < div class="s-quote-content">T3.1 More recently I’ve stopped dating because the symptoms are so bad, I can’t physically go out on dates #HAchat
T3.1 I have a speech impediment that can inhibit me from engaging with men though I know it shouldn’t. Working on that one! #hachat
For the rest of you, how has your chronic illness or disability affected how you date? #HAChat
I think all these issues are central to simply being human. We all seek self esteem understanding intimacy love. #HAchat
A sexual problem is a sexual problem whether one is disabled or not. It’s a mistake in my view to get hung up on disability. #hachat
I’ve been open about my issues with mental health from the start. Physical issues were diagnosed after we were together. #HAChat
I am upfront about my generalalised dystonia, PKD
but what dates I’ve had, say, you look fine to me. Ugh! #hachat
but what dates I’ve had, say, you look fine to me. Ugh! #hachat
T4 – Aging ultimately nabs us all, do you find your sexual needs, desires & expectations changing as you age? #hachat
I must say you all have been so open and honest. I’m thrilled to see everyone sharing. #hachat
We want to thank you all so much for joi
ning us today and a special shout out to @dystoniamuse for such an engaging chat! #HAChat
ning us today and a special shout out to @dystoniamuse for such an engaging chat! #HAChat
I will be posting some of my own thoughts on this topic on my blog tomorrow. You can find me online at dystoniamuse.com. #hachat
