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Question:
What self esteem! I am a C5 incomplete
quadraplegic who was raped buy a gay man.
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Answer:
by Linda Mona: ()
I'm always saddened to hear when such acts of
violence take place against people within the disability community. Violence and abuse rates have soared among people with disabilities. So, am I surprised that you can't seem to find self-esteem? Absolutely not. Most people who have been raped experience similar feelings. For those of us with disabilities, we are especially vulnerable due to our physical limitations which at times prevent us from being able to figh back and/or keep ourselves safe.
I think that it is very important to get support around these types of experiences. In order to feel better about yourself and your sexuality per se, it is imperative that you find that support. Sometimes people find this support with friends/family or a clergy person while others seek some type of therapy or counseling. If I were you, I would reflect upon what may best suit you. And, it may be that you feel like it is not the right time to talk about such an experience or seek support. I suggest simply think about it as a possibility.
Feeling positive about one's self sexually is difficult for many people with disabilities. We have received societal messages for years that we simply do not fit in with "ideal" images of sexual attractiveness. However, many of us are able to enjoy our sexual lives in ways that are very similar and also different from able-bodied
people. Given that enjoying one's sexuality is a very important part of life, I think that it would be worth your while to explore some ways to make yourself feel a bit more in touch with this part of yourself. Good Luck! Dr. MonaReviewed by: Patricia Fawver Ph.D. in Sexology
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