Disability and Sex: let's be frank about Sex Toys

Disability and Sex: let's be frank about Sex Toys

DISABILITY AND SEX: LET'S BE FRANK ABOUT SEX TOYSPeople with disabilities face a lot of stigma, and at best when not battling discrimination outright, they may find that their needs are simply completely ignored, because they don’t apply to the majority of the population. Many people may assume that disabled people simply do not have sex, but that isn’t the case at all. Individuals with varying physical abilities  seek sex for the same reasons the rest of us do - for pleasure, love, procreation, a way to pass time, experimentation and curiosity, and for a whole lot of fun. But beyond this, folks with disabilities may actually need sex toys to assist with sexual difficulties, or physical or sensory impairments.

So how can a person with limited mobility or other impairments use sex toys? Obviously, it depends on the disability. Quite often impaired people need to be more creative in their sexual exploration just to accommodate their own bodies, and to further complicate this, they may be hesitant because of shame or lack of confidence. Finding proper sex toys can especially be difficult for the person who lacks hand functionality or has physical pain.

If you have disabilities and are looking for an adult toy, there are some questions you should ask:

  • How easy is the toy to operate?
  • Where on my body is most pleasurable when stimulated?
  • What creates pain that I can’t or don’t want to tolerate?
  • Are there erogenous zones I can or cannot reach on my own?
  • If I have allergies, what adult toys materials are safe for me to handle?

When you purchase everyday household items - from scissors and remote controls to pots, pans, and clothing, you consider your limitations and impairment, correct? Will this cause pain or allergy flare ups, can I handle this today, how many small buttons and switches are there to maneuver, and so on? Is this vibrator so strong it will cause carpal tunnel pain? Does this one have buttons that are too small for me?

Balance your impairment - pain, limb limitations, strength, allergies - and your limitations - can you open packages alone, do you need help with buttons? How can you hold objects and what are positions in which you can’t summon strength or grasping maneuvers? Are you able to sit, stand, lie on your back, or your side?

Rule out or focus on some toys once you’ve thought about all of this, and then start having fun - what turns you on? What definitely interests you? Do you want solo or partner toys? You will know better than anyone else what you like, have an interest in, and can use most adequately. If you don’t feel familiar or in touch with your sexual side, read some erotic or watch some movies to see what captures your interest.

Some examples of sex toys that may be of benefit include:

Disabled people deserve the same pleasure and enjoyment as the rest of us, and for some - even for many of us without a disability - it’s harder to come by, harder to talk about, and harder to experiment with in the bedroom. You’ll have to take into consideration your own unique set of needs, as well as you and your partner’s’ interests, and from there you can choose wisely what gift you’d like - unless it’s the JOUJOU box wrapped under the Christmas tree.

Do you have any suggestions for other toys? Let us know in the comments what works, or what you think will work, for you!

Article by Sara at JOUJOU


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