SEX, DISABILITY AND ME
WOMAN'S OWN|February 06, 2023
Lorraine Stanley, 50, doesn’t let her disability hold her back in the bedroom any more
SEX, DISABILITY AND ME

As I leapt energetically at the front of my aerobics class, sweat poured off me. ‘Great work today, ladies!’ I beamed. It was August 2004 and my new aerobics business was going well. I’d started out four months earlier after a career change from my job in the public sector, and now I was leading nine classes per week.

‘And remember, 20 minutes of exercise a day – however you get it!’ I winked at my class. Aged 31, I was as active between the sheets with my partner as I was leading my aerobics class. But as I packed up my kit, I knew there would be none of that tonight. I had a sore throat and figuring I had a bug, I decided on a few early nights.

Instead, weeks passed and I only felt worse. I was permanently exhausted and my muscles burned. I could barely get out of bed, let alone run an aerobics class, and I gradually taught fewer and fewer classes.

The GP couldn’t work out what was wrong. After two years of tests – and constant exhaustion and pain, I was diagnosed in summer 2006 with myalgic encephalomyelitis, known as ME, and fibromyalgia – a chronic condition that causes full body pain.

Struggling with the reality of my disabilities, my relationship broke down and I needed a carer.

Life was tough – and incredibly lonely. Just after my diagnosis, aged 34, a new carer arrived. ‘Let’s get you sorted, eh?’ she smiled, pulling on her rubber gloves to give me a wash. She was kind and professional but the minute she left, I burst into tears.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 06, 2023 من WOMAN'S OWN.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 06, 2023 من WOMAN'S OWN.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.