Growing up with cerebral palsy I never experienced many problems in the dating department. I was your normal teenager with crushes and things, and had my first real boyfriend at sixteen. That lasted on and off for 4 years, but I had other boyfriends in between the breaks and after and my disability was never an issue for him.
Although we broke up for reasons unrelated to my disability, when we became serious (being together for three years), his father had A LOT of degrading concerns. He asked my mother who is a strong woman who would stick up for anyone if "Our kids would be messed up?" and if "My problems were genetic." This made my mom enraged and caused a huge feud between his father and I for a long time. He regrets saying that now, but exemplifies the ignorance of some.
Besides the run in with his father, I have never had any other issues with dating prospects or their parents.
For Sacred Heart graduate Emily Lupica, 23, who also has Cerebral Palsy and walks with the aid of a walker, dating hasn't been impossible, but she has had some challenges.
"I always have to disclose right away for the most part because the walker is there," Lupica says. "I mean with people I talk to online I let them get to know me first before saying it, and I wont bring up what I have unless asked so even if I'm standing talking to a guy in my walker I wont be like by the way I have CP."
She claims that no one has refused to date her because she has a disability, but she too has seen the ignorance of people.
"My last ex told me to get faith healed, so obviously it can be an issue!" Lupica adds.
Best Advice for Dating
--Be open and honest about it
--You don't have to tell him/her right away, but embrace questions
--Relax!
--Appear confident, even if you totally don't feel confident! (If you appear confident, it will radiate and you'll be very surprised of the positive results and encouragement)
--Don't let your disability stop you, let your awesome personality shine
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