Comments on: Getting Around

By: The Happy Feminist

The Happy Feminist — Tue, 16 May 2006 16:20:58 +0000

My husband and I often joke that “once you’ve been with a paraplegic, you don’t go back.”

But it’s true. Since I started dating my paraplegic husband twelve years ago, I haven’t had to worry about birth control or pregnancy, which makes a huge difference in just being able to relax and enjoy things. And this is going to sound awful and selfish — but if the man is impotent, the focus of sex is going to be on the woman’s pleasure. An impotent, paraplegic is of necessity going to be much more selfless in bed.

Yikes. Now I’ve headed into the territory of TMI. I’ll shut up now.

By: a nut

a nut — Tue, 16 May 2006 15:57:09 +0000

I forgot to mention the book Lesbians on Disability edited by Victoria Brownworth, too. I found a lot of great stuff for a presentation I choose to do. And I forgot the link to my posts if anyone was interested.

By: a nut

a nut — Tue, 16 May 2006 15:50:17 +0000

I posted on women with physical disabilities and their sexuality last month for my own imposed Disability Awareness Week. I learned a lot when researching for that paper and have continued it since.

Helen – thanks for the film suggestion. I’m going to have to try and find it now. Autism is a World is a good movie, too.

David – Maybe you and your sister would be interested in a book titled Waist High in the World by Nancy Mair; she also has MS.

Moving Violations is also another great book I’m told. It’s in my pile of stuff to read.

By: David

David — Mon, 15 May 2006 18:49:25 +0000

I have a sister who uses a wheelchair due to her MS. We talk. I have also watched “Murderball,” which I would love to show to my students because it works well to dispel so many myths about folks who use wheelchairs. I would be hesitant to call any of the guys in this movie disabled, because most of them could kick my fully-abled ass quite easily.

Between these two sources, I have learned a lot.

By: Nomie

Nomie — Mon, 15 May 2006 14:15:04 +0000

Sarah S. – “grammar” and “sentence.” [/snark]

I agree with Lynn – Roland in “Saved!” is an excellent example of a character who’s not a stereotypical disabled guy. He’s got a good sense of humor, e.g. dressing up as a rollerskate for Halloween.

Also, on the U.S. version of “The Office,” the owner of the building where the office is based is in a wheelchair, and has no problem with it. Of course, Michael, the boss, is spectacularly insensitive, but that’s the character.

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 15 May 2006 10:51:20 +0000

Psst! “Waist,” not “waste.”

Wow, I am a moron. How did I do that? Thanks guys.

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 15 May 2006 09:12:57 +0000

Check out the film Dance me to my song by Rolf de Heer, 1998.

By: Marksman2000

Marksman2000 — Mon, 15 May 2006 08:01:57 +0000

Great post, Jill.

By: Ragnell

Ragnell — Mon, 15 May 2006 07:09:27 +0000

Wow, here’s one point where comics did manage to handle it well. Dick Grayson (Robin) and Barbara Gordon (former Batgirl) continued their on-again, off-again romance well past the point where her legs were paralyzed. It’s often implied that they slept together between panels.

By: Gordon K

Gordon K — Mon, 15 May 2006 04:39:56 +0000

This is one of the better “Yes, We Can ‘Do It’” articles I’ve read.

But if I hear one more girl rave about how hot guys in wheelchairs (by which they almost always mean athletic-ish paras and quads) are, I might just go berserk.

The devotee part was interesting; I’m still not sure what to make of that fetish, despite having looked for websites on the topic.