Would you go out with a Disabled person?

[marshlander]

I guess that for most people the whole deal is somewhat situational. By that I mean that a majority of the so-called "able-bodied" do not knowingly come into contact with disabled people on a regular enough basis to be able to form any relationships with them. On the other hand, there are meeting places and support groups for people with particular conditions. Until those living with disability can feel comfortable moving away from people more like them I guess that many friendships and other relationships will continue to have their origins within the clubs and support groups that exist for every condition.

I'm aware that my own relationship grew out of a similar ghettoised thinking. Although we may have been brought up in different countries, Albert and I tend to converge in matters of age, interests, mobility, academic attainment, work choices and experience, attitudes to family, our place in the world, politics, food, drink and plenty of other things besides.

For me, the opportunities for meeting disabled people are usually limited to groups with whom I work from time to time, whether it be running gamelan or hand-drumming workshops for the local deaf club, samba workshops for the local Asperger's group or for adults with learning difficulties or music technology composition sessions for people with mental illness or severe physical disability.

Perhaps I don't get out enough, but generally I am not aware of seeing disabled people in the places where I go for r and r and I would imagine that my experience of being with a range of people has at least raised my awareness to a minimal level.