Mik and Emily,
I’ve just gone through a bad break-up, and can’t find the confidence to start dating again because I think no-one will want to date a disabled person. Any pearls of wisdom?
A
Hi A, and so sorry to hear that you’re going through a tough time at the moment, it’s not a fun place to be and I can totally empathise with you. If the break-up was only very recent, maybe you need to consider giving yourself a bit more time before trying to find love again. We go through heartbreak and often believe that we need to rush to find something or someone new because that’s the only thing that will make us feel any better. That’s just not true, and perhaps it’s time for you to find out about who you really are, what you’re into and what qualities you have that could be really attractive to a partner because, trust me, you’ve got a lot more to offer than your impairment. Once you do start to date again, remember all the things you love about yourself that are a real offering to someone new. Mik and I have brilliant partners, and lots of our disabled friends do too, so there are plenty of people out there more than willing to date disabled people. What’s important is how you present that impairment. If you find comfort and a small sense of pride in it, someone else is much more likely too, as well. Good luck, remember to be proud of who you are, and don’t be afraid to show that to potential love interests!
Em x