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The purpose of this article is to help sensitize counselors to some of the issues involving sexuality and persons living with disabilities. Sexuality and persons with disabilities (PWD) is a subject not often discussed in society. Stereotypes associated with PWD presume that they are not sexually attractive, are incapable of having sexual desires, and that any kind of sexual expression is inappropriate. This article discusses myths and misconceptions about sexuality and disability, psychosocial issues facing PWD, gender expression of sexuality, and intimate relationships.
To be human is to be sexual (Winder, 1983).
When the word sexuality is mentioned, a person having a physical disability or a profound disfigurement is not at the forefront of the conversation. If not associated with youth and physical attractiveness, sex is viewed as unnatural (Orange, 2009). Best (1993) wrote that an individual's sexuality is a total collection of one's characteristics that identifies and communicates one's sexual nature. Orange reported that when sex and disabilities are discussed, approaches such as affection, caring, and loving are rarely mentioned. A greater emphasis is placed on capacity, techniques, fertility, and dysfunction. Best noted that a person's sexual nature includes, but is not limited to, gender, physical appearance, capabilities, body adornment, behavior, and life style. Sexuality is an integration, acceptance, and self-realization of all these aspects. One must also have the ability to communicate these traits, and receive and accept sexual communication choices to and from others. The purpose of this article is to help sensitize rehabilitation counselors to the myths and misconceptions regarding sexuality and people living with disabilities (PWD).
Important components of sexuality are body image and selfperceived appearance; people who are physically attractive tend to be treated better and are perceived as being more sexually appealing (Atkinson, Lindzey, & Thompson, 1994). Gatens-Robinson and Rubin (2008) stated that Americans strongly value attractive physical appearance. Chen (1998) remarked that the standards for health and beauty have been defined since the beginning of Western civilization. Westerners are obsessed with having an impeccable physically fit body that includes being tall and slim. For people with physical disabilities, inner beauty is often overshadowed by less attractive or unacceptable outer appearances. Because Americans place such a great emphasis on appearance, PWD suffer significant stigmatization (Cash, 2004). As...