Healthy Relationships
“One of the biggest things I have learned having a disability and being in a relationship, is you really have to be yourself.”
– Leanne Beers, Disability Relationships Specialist and Parent with a Disability
Introduction
- Relationships are connections between people
- Relationships may be:
- Close connections, such as between a parent and a child
- Less close, such as between neighbors or community members
- Simple, challenging, short term or long term
- Relationships with other people are important for both your health and well-being
- People you have relationships with may help you feel less isolated and provide you support in a variety of ways throughout your life
- Relationships may enrich your life and help you feel more connected to the world around you
Know Yourself
- We may have relationships with family, friends, providers, personal assistance or other individuals in the community
- Relationships may be challenging
- Learning how to have successful relationships is an ongoing process
- One way to learn more about yourself and your relationships is to explore your likes and dislikes as an individual and in your relationships with other people
- Learning about your relationship style may help you establish boundaries and be more successful in relationships
Close Relationships
Close relationships may be with people who you:
- See on a daily or weekly basis
- Share limited financial information with
- Share gifts with
- Invite to life events
- Invite or let into your home
- Do chores or have meals with
- Talk to about big life choices
- Talk to about personal details, including health information
- Can talk to if you are not feeling well
- Can call in an emergency or for other support
Romantic Relationships
- Dating is a way to get to know someone that you do not know well
- Dating people is usually in order to find a long-term partner or spouse
- Not everyone you date will be a good match or long term relationship
- Communicating and spending time together may help you decide if someone has values and features that would make a good partner for you
Community Members
- Relationships with people in your community can vary
- You may have a different relationship with community members than close friends, family and partners
- Some might be complete strangers, while others you might see often but know very little about
- You only share information with these people that is related to what you are doing with them
- You do not usually share personal space or personal information with these people
- You might say “Hello” to these people and be pleasant with them, but otherwise might limit how much you communicate
- They usually should not be making decisions for you, and may not even be in a position to give advice
Resources
Sample Documents:
Roommate Questions
Dating:
Disabled Dating: List and Reviews of Disability Dating Sites
In My Voice: Sexual Self-Advocacy PDF
Sex, Dating and Disability: How to Help Youth Make Healthy Choices
Sexuality and Intimacy for Couples with Disabilities PDF
Sexual and Reproductive Health Resources
Sexuality, Sensuality, Intimacy and… Yes, They Do Go Together PDF
Taking Charge! A Reproductive Health Guide for Women with Disabilities
Personal Care:
How to Find and Hire a Private Caregiver (Blog Article)
Personal Care Assistants: How to Find, Hire & Keep
PDF: 8 Steps to Follow When Hiring a Personal Care Attendant (PCA)
References
http://registrations.dhs.state.mn.us/PCACourse/Module_06/en/0201.htm
http://family.findlaw.com/guardianship/guardianship-of-incapacitated-or-disabled-persons.html
https://www.thearcoftexas.org/alternatives-to-guardianship/
http://meji.org/topics/guardianship-and-surrogate-decisionmaking
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Acquaintances-Good-Friends
https://www.thearcoftexas.org/alternatives-to-guardianship/
Sexuality & Developmental Disabilities Workshops with Katherine McLaughlin – http://disabilityworkshops.com/sexuality-and-developmental-disabilities-workshops-learning-tip/