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Enabling Romance: A Guide to Love, Sex and Relationships for People with Disabilities
Considered by many to be "The Joy of Sex for people with disabilities," Enabling Romance candidly shattering sexual stereotypes; building self-esteem; creative sexual variations; reproduction and contraception for people with disabilities; specific information on several different physical and sensory disabilities, including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, postpolio syndrome, muscular dystropy, cerebral palsy, amputation, blindness and deafness. Includes explicit illustrations.
- GenresDisabilityNonfiction
218 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 29, 2021
I've had several non fiction books about romance, intimacy, and disabilities on my to-read shelf for a long time now, prompted by various m/m fiction books that have got me right here *punches chest*. But it was only after reading the INFURIATING ending of the otherwise enthralling book Me Before You that I finally put in a request for an inter library loan for this book.
And what a book! It's an important book, one I'd recommend to anyone, disabled or not, with a disabled loved one or not. Awareness and empathy peps, that's all it is. It's simple and upfront and filled with the voices of real life people--people who don't want to be only admired as strong because of their disability, nor do they want to be infantilized: they want to be respected as adult individuals, potential friends, lovers, exactly as a non disabled individual would be regarded. It's just so full of heart and brings practical advice and awareness to the reader.
It's minimally dated as far as some medical and resource references go, but the essence is timeless. Plus, a treat: there were several beautiful pencil sketches of scenes of intimacy.
The writers could have gone into a little more detail in the sections devoted to specific disabilities, but as a taster, an introduction book, an educational primer, it was solid.
(There were about 15 pages ripped out of my library copy, so I had a slightly incomplete experience.)
And what a book! It's an important book, one I'd recommend to anyone, disabled or not, with a disabled loved one or not. Awareness and empathy peps, that's all it is. It's simple and upfront and filled with the voices of real life people--people who don't want to be only admired as strong because of their disability, nor do they want to be infantilized: they want to be respected as adult individuals, potential friends, lovers, exactly as a non disabled individual would be regarded. It's just so full of heart and brings practical advice and awareness to the reader.
It's minimally dated as far as some medical and resource references go, but the essence is timeless. Plus, a treat: there were several beautiful pencil sketches of scenes of intimacy.
The writers could have gone into a little more detail in the sections devoted to specific disabilities, but as a taster, an introduction book, an educational primer, it was solid.
(There were about 15 pages ripped out of my library copy, so I had a slightly incomplete experience.)
May 16, 2012
I picked up this book on a whim. As a blind person, I thought it might be an interesting read.
After finishing it, I personally feel that anyone should read this. No matter if you have a disability or not, I think it's highly informative and can open your eyes a bit.
This book mainly touches on people with physical disabilities. Generally men and women who don't have the use of arms, legs or both. However, they do touch on the more known disabilities--having no use of legs, arms or both. The deaf, the blind, individuals with severe breathing issues, dwarfism, etc.
At this point in time I'm 31 years old. I've been interacting with disabled people of all kinds for most of those years. Despite that, this book had me becoming aware of questions I didn't even know I had. Granted, I didn't exactly stop to contemplate how people in wheelchairs have sexual intercourse. And even if I had, that's an embarrassing subject to bring up even with close friends and family.
It sounds cliché, but I feel glad I read this book. I was astounded to learn how these individuals got around their physical limitations to wind up in successful and sexually pleasing relationships.
So I would suggest picking up this book. There are many stories and quotes from people with disabilities on their situations and how they made things work in a physical relationship/marriage.
As mentioned when I started this review, even if you're not disabled, I think this is something to read. I know from experience that individuals with little to no contact with disabled people think that when you've got a disability, your life is over. And even if you manage to live a comfortable existence, you're some kind of walking miracle.
Overall, this is an excellent book. I'm a firm believer in that a little bit of awareness can go a long way. I applaud these authors in thinking of the idea for this book and recommend everyone read it. Or perhaps give it to someone who is like the person I mentioned above.
After finishing it, I personally feel that anyone should read this. No matter if you have a disability or not, I think it's highly informative and can open your eyes a bit.
This book mainly touches on people with physical disabilities. Generally men and women who don't have the use of arms, legs or both. However, they do touch on the more known disabilities--having no use of legs, arms or both. The deaf, the blind, individuals with severe breathing issues, dwarfism, etc.
At this point in time I'm 31 years old. I've been interacting with disabled people of all kinds for most of those years. Despite that, this book had me becoming aware of questions I didn't even know I had. Granted, I didn't exactly stop to contemplate how people in wheelchairs have sexual intercourse. And even if I had, that's an embarrassing subject to bring up even with close friends and family.
It sounds cliché, but I feel glad I read this book. I was astounded to learn how these individuals got around their physical limitations to wind up in successful and sexually pleasing relationships.
So I would suggest picking up this book. There are many stories and quotes from people with disabilities on their situations and how they made things work in a physical relationship/marriage.
As mentioned when I started this review, even if you're not disabled, I think this is something to read. I know from experience that individuals with little to no contact with disabled people think that when you've got a disability, your life is over. And even if you manage to live a comfortable existence, you're some kind of walking miracle.
Overall, this is an excellent book. I'm a firm believer in that a little bit of awareness can go a long way. I applaud these authors in thinking of the idea for this book and recommend everyone read it. Or perhaps give it to someone who is like the person I mentioned above.
July 8, 2021
As a person with vision loss, I found this book was well written. It provides a good introduction to the romance and intimacy of the disabled community. It is a good read for all, disabled or not.
In 2021, this book feels very outdated as almost all encounters mentioned are taking place in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and pre-internet. It doesn't talk about romance and intimacy outside the heteronormative relationships. Also, it's structured for a male perspective of giving pleasure and not much information on receiving and how to communicate that.
Provides a lot of details and information for multiple physical disabilities that include using wheelchairs, powerchairs, and having breathing apparatus. Very little information on vision loss.
In 2021, this book feels very outdated as almost all encounters mentioned are taking place in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and pre-internet. It doesn't talk about romance and intimacy outside the heteronormative relationships. Also, it's structured for a male perspective of giving pleasure and not much information on receiving and how to communicate that.
Provides a lot of details and information for multiple physical disabilities that include using wheelchairs, powerchairs, and having breathing apparatus. Very little information on vision loss.
April 29, 2008
I used this book as a reference for writing "The Butterfly's Dance." Good information!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews