disabilities have the power to add a little romance, or at the very least some friendship to their lives. This is important because not everyone feels comfortable disclosing information about a disability on such conventional sites as match.com or eharmony, where a disability would have to be noted as a random fact in a category marked “Other.” More likely, many people post their information on these sites without refrence to their disability at all.
Matchmaker Meryl Kaplan founded the popular Dating4Disabled website in ‘06.
personality traits and life challenges. The members’ disabilities or life challenges range from non-mobility issues such as phobias, chronic pain, and depression, to mobility challenges such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, paralysis and amputations. “Our hope,” according to the Mingle Cafe website, “is to facilitate a worldwide community for people to come together in friendship and in love.” “EmpathyPlus is a totally inclusive on-line social community. Our goal is to address unique issues of isolation and social discrimination experienced by people with disabilities, special needs and life challenges. “It’s a gathering place where men and women with various disabilities can experience personal, social, romantic growth in a supportive and empathic zone. It’s a great way to meet new people, make friends, flirt, date, or maybe even find a life partner in an atmosphere filled with caring and openness.” The founders pledge to generate new pages on the site based on visitors’ responses to questions about their particular needs and desires. The site welcomes people with various disabilities and life challenges, and anyone ever touched by them. “Disabled Dating World is part of the Disabled World news, a website that focuses on providing information for people with disabilities. This is a free disability social dating community created to provide dating and friendship services to those of us with disabilities worldwide,” the site says. “Finding that special partner for love, romance, or just to [connect as pen pals for] friendship, has never been easier. We offer you all the tools you need for free as a member of our disability dating group.” Another site that you might be of interest is Disabled Passions, which also offers access to free online dating and social networking services. With all these options, it’s evident that people with
“Dive right in!” Kaplan recommends. “People start off testing these sites by just reading blogs and forums, and where it goes from there can be completely up to you. It’s all about personal choice. Reading the site testimonials in which so many people have found love and friendship is bound to convince you, so prove it to yourself.” Please note: Socializing with someone you meet online as a friend or possible mate must be explored at your own pace and at your own risk. When it comes to sharing personal information or choosing to meet up, taking the right precautions can make the experience well worth it. Good luck! by Betsy Valnes Betsy Valnes, a young woman with Traumatic Brain Injury and anomia, is an active member of the disability movement in the U.S. and abroad. She currently serves as the executive director of the National Youth Leadership Network, a non-profit organization run by and for young people with disabilities.
Dating4Disabled.com specialsinglesonline.com MingleCafe.com EmpathyPlus.com disabled-world.com disabledcupid.com datedisabled.com prescription4love.com lovebyrd.com whispers4u.com disabled-dating.com enableromance.com
HOW KARL MET KENDRA Karl Schraml, 37 Photographer/Chef Central Washington State Nerve Damage Kendra Sanders, 25 Systems Analyst for a major bank Southern California Sacral Agenesis ABILITY: How did you learn about Dating4Disabled.com? Kendra: I found out about it by doing a Google search for online communities that were centered around people with disabilities. I was looking for some place to find friends who understood where I was coming from in my life. ABILITY 55