Page 50 - Essence of Beauty April May 2021
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that. She turned
bright red, got up,
giggled and left. So,
it wasn’t positive at
all. I think OTs
and medical
professionals need
to confront their
own ableism on the
issue, and recognize
that they have such
an opportunity to
help a disabled
person feel seen and
heard, and they
should embrace that,
not squander it.
Heather: That said,
there are many OTs
and workers who
are sex positive and
explore, and if it is consensual. I savior by being with a disabled
have been working with a sex person, they are facilitating a properly educated in the realm of
sexuality - who are wanting and
worker for 3 years, and it has need; just like a caregiver. For able to help their clients in this
been the best, most me though, sex work has been
transformative sexual experience one of the best decisions I have space. We are lucky to work with
many of them. The more
(the best sex I have ever had). ever made. education there is for these
That being said, I recognize that
an hour with a sex worker can be EOB: Many people with professions, the more it will filter
disabilities have to work with
down to helping their clients.
unaffordable for many disabled medical personnel, caregivers,
folks, so I am in a privileged EOB: Why is touch such a
position when I talk about it, but OTs, etc. on a regular basis. vital part of the sexual
What has been your
that’s why I believe that it should experience on their ability to experience, especially for
be part of disability funding people with disabilities?
schemes. It is about so much provide answers to questions
regarding sex and what can
more than sex; it is about touch, Andrew: Touch is such a vital
companionship, and most we do to make it be more part of the sexual experience,
importantly it’s fun. It gives helpful and positive especially for disabled people
because so many disabled people
experience?
disabled people a chance to
experience sex without worrying Andrew: When I was in my 20s, go without it, or they only go
about relationship per se, and I I asked an OT how to have with touch that is medicalized
think that’s important. It is also better sex as a disabled person and is by caregivers only, so
important to recognize that an and whether or not she could when you get the opportunity to
able-bodied sex worker is not a show me exercises to facilitate be touched out of desire and
want, especially considering that
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