Physical Disability and Sexuality, Some History and Some Findings

In this chapter, we will explore some of the myths and misconceptions that exist about the sexual lives of people with physical disabilities. We look particularly at the myth of asexuality and we report on data from the survey study showing whether this myth exists in the views of South Africans without disability, about people with physical disabilities. We also look at the kinds of stereotypes about people with physical disabilities that survey respondents used. The chapter then looks at how this myth of asexuality among people with physical disabilities means that many young people with physical disabilities are excluded from sexual health education, may be vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation, and generally feel excluded from the world of dating and relationships. We draw on existing research knowledge, our survey findings, as well as the pictures and personal stories of participants in our research project in this chapter.

Cleone’s Story

In this chapter, Cleone, a project participant, writes about how acquiring a physical disability in her early adulthood impacted on her sense of femininity and sexuality. Cleone was a model prior to acquiring a physical disability and she writes about attractiveness and the body, and her journey to reclaim her sense of femininity and sexuality.

Sexual and Reproductive Health: Layers of (in)Access

In this chapter, we investigate some of the social (e.g. negative attitudes about sexuality and parenthood) and structural (e.g. inaccessible health care facilities) barriers that people with physical disabilities face when trying to lead a pleasurable, safe, and healthy sexual life. We do this by presenting an accessible review of the existing research literature, a summary of relevant survey evidence, and use of the personal stories of the participants.

Physical Disability and Masculinity: Hegemony and Exclusion

In this chapter, we will explore the intersections of disability and masculinity. We will look at how disability influences how men are viewed by others, and how men with disabilities view themselves as masculine and as sexual beings. We also look at the influence of culture on masculinity in the South African context. We draw on existing research knowledge, as well as the pictures and personal stories of some of the male participants in our research project.

Some Background, and a South African Study on Sexuality

In this chapter, we introduce central concepts and theories relevant to thinking about disability and sexuality in the global South. We discuss what we mean by physical disability, sexuality, gender, and embodiment, and provide a brief description of the research study on which this book is based. Here, too, we provide a rationale and outline for the book.

Rosabelle’s Story

In this short chapter, Rosabelle, one of the project participants, writes a personal story about how sport had a hugely positive impact on her self-confidence, body image and ultimately her sense of sexuality. Rosabelle’s personal narrative is co-written with one of the researchers, who provides theoretical insights relevant to conceptualising and making sense of her experience.

Physical Disability and Femininity: An Intersection of Identities

In this chapter, we will explore the intersections of physical disability and femininity. We look at how societies’ ideas about disability influence the way women with physical disabilities are viewed and view themselves as sexual beings. Using a combination of background literature and qualitative data from our photovoice study, we explore how social representations of femininity and expectations for women may negatively affect women with physical disabilities’ sense of themselves. We include pictures, written texts, and stories produced by some of the female participants from the project.

Bongani’s Story

In this chapter, Bongani writes about growing up with a disability in a Zulu family, as well as in the context of a school for children with disabilities. He reflects on what physical disability has meant for his developing sense of himself as a young man, his sexuality and relationships, and his wishes for the future.

The Meaning of Participation: Reflections on Our Study

In Chapter 10.1007/978-3-030-55567-2_1 we provided a discussion of participatory research as a method for doing research, and provided an outline of what we did in the research project upon which this book is based. In this final chapter, we reflect back on our experiences of doing a participatory research project of this kind.

Vic’s Story

In this chapter, Vic, a project participant, writes about getting married and becoming a father after having acquired a serious physical disability in an accident. He writes about how he and his wife underwent IVF to have 2 children. He also writes about the at times inappropriate reactions and questions from others about his wife’s pregnancy and his sexuality. Vic’s story is tied to current scholarship relevant to thinking about reproductive rights and disability.