It’s that time of year when everywhere you look, advertisements are promoting chocolates, hearts, romance, and roses. It’s all about Valentine’s Day. And, for people living with a spinal cord injury, the holiday can represent something you feel like you have lost: love, romance, and sexual intimacy.
However, if you or your special someone is living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), that doesn’t mean that you can’t still feel Cupid’s arrow and join in the romance. We’ve put together five of our SCI community’s favorite blog posts to show you how love, romance, and sex are still possible with a spinal cord injury.
Rediscovering Sex After an SCI
A spinal cord injury doesn’t have to mean the end of your sex life. After all, humans are naturally sexual beings. You’ll likely be happy to know that many people who have lived with an SCI for years have discovered the joys of having intimate relations— even with lessened sensations. Read more to learn about how other SCI survivors have rediscovered sex by learning how to enjoy it in a different way.
Read MoreSex, SCI and Why It’s Still Important
While it’s true that sex is different after an SCI, it still ultimately boils down to sharing intimacy, closeness, and realness with your significant other. You can still feel sexy and engage in two-way pleasure despite your injury by discovering new erogenous zones on your body. Read more to learn some helpful tips from other SCI survivors who challenge the notion that sex doesn’t matter or can’t be enjoyable after an SCI.
Read MoreProfiles of True Love in the Face of a Spinal Cord Injury
Hearing stories about two people who are in love and truly committed to one another are always heartwarming. The love stories about people with spinal cord injuries can be especially touching. Read more to learn about four couples who are deeply in love with each other despite one of them having a spinal cord injury.
Read MoreSeeing Yourself as Sexy Again After Paralysis
Feeling attractive can be a challenge when you’re sitting in a wheelchair. However, it’s all about how you feel and what you choose to project about yourself. Your disability can’t take your sexy away unless you let it. Discover these seven tips to help you feel sexy; ultimately, also this will help you find others who can see past your wheelchair and see you.
Read MoreLauren & Ryan’s IVF Journey with SCI
A common misperception is that individuals with spinal cord injuries can’t have biological children of their own. However, many couples with spinal cord injuries can still have biological children naturally, through a surrogate, or through the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Read more to learn about how one SCI couple faced the challenge head-on to start a family.
Read MoreRomance after a spinal cord injury is possible. We hope that these stories have inspired you and that you realize that you can still enjoy one of the best and most romantic holidays of the year.
