Dating Someone with Cerebral Palsy: Everything You Need to Know

dating someone with cerebral palsy

If you’re dating someone with cerebral palsy, then we understand your desire to learn about the condition, support your partner in the right way, and understand what’s helpful and what’s not.

If you currently have CP, then perhaps you need a bit of advice on how you can effectively and kindly enforce boundaries and communicate with your partner.

In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about cerebral palsy and dating.

Then, we’ll tell you where and how you can find love online, whether you live with cerebral palsy or are open to dating someone who does.

1. You’ll Do a Ton of Research

When you first start dating someone with cerebral palsy, it’s normal to want to read and research the condition as much as you possibly can.

You’ll comb through books, online forums, blog posts, and try to make yourself an expert on the subject.

This is fine and shows that you care enough about the person you’re dating to want to understand what they’re going through and the best ways to help them. And chances are good that you’ll also pick up some genuinely useful tips and tricks.

But doing all of this research can also cause you to see your partner as, first and foremost, someone who has a disability. It’s easy to accidentally find yourself thinking that having cerebral palsy is your love’s defining characteristic.

This is a trap you should watch out for — and if you’re the partner who has cerebral palsy, don’t be afraid to bring this up.

Saying something like, “I so appreciate all the research you’re doing to learn more about my condition. I just don’t want you to forget that I have other traits and that I don’t see this as the most important thing about me. You should feel free to ask me any questions you like as we continue to see each other because I am the ultimate authority on the uniqueness of my condition.”

There will be a learning curve on both ends, for sure. But the sooner you communicate, answer questions, and give gentle reminders to an overly-enthusiastic partner, the better off you both will be.

2. Let Them Maintain Their Independence

It’s only natural to want to care for the person you love.

But when you’re getting into cerebral palsy and dating, you need to ensure that you maintain a firm boundary between “lover/partner” and “caretaker and nurse.”

Don’t baby a partner with cerebral palsy — and that also means understanding that their disability doesn’t give them a “free pass” to treat you poorly. Yes, their ability to help you with chores, etc. may be in limited in some ways, but they can and should offer you support in others.

Above all, when you’re dating a person with cerebral palsy, you’ll need to be patient. This is where that “caretaker” role can sneak in and wreak havoc on your dynamic. Of course, they’ll need your help every once in a while.

But you shouldn’t attempt to finish their sentences for them, do tasks for them that they can handle themselves, or try to make things “easier for them” when it’s clear they want to see if they can do something without any help.

Just like any other partner, people with cerebral palsy want their independence.

If you’re the person with CP in the relationship, you can and should remind your partner of this. You can say something like, “I know you only want to help, but I would prefer to do this on my own,” or “Please be patient with me. It can be infantilizing when you try to speak for me.”

3. Try a Cerebral Palsy Dating Site

If you are a person with CP, then you’ve likely wondered if there are specific sites dedicated to dating for people with disabilities.

The answer is a resounding, “Yes!”

There are lots of reasons why, especially if you’ve never dated before, you’re interested in meeting someone who also has CP or a similar condition. You may be tired of constantly having to explain what CP is, or you may not want to deal with annoying questions like whether or not your able-bodied date is your nurse.

You may just feel much more comfortable on cerebral palsy dating websites because you can focus on finding the right person, not on someone who understands and accepts your CP.

Dating someone who shares your condition is also an awesome way to enjoy life and get your confidence up.

4. Plan Date Nights the Right Way

Finally, just like any other couple, you and your partner will want to go out on the town for a special date night.

There are a few things you may need to take into consideration to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Make sure that, if needed, the place where you’re planning on going is wheelchair accessible. You can call ahead and ask, or even do a quick visit there to make sure everything looks good.

It’s important to approach your relationship with a person with CP as you would one with anyone else. When you broach the idea of a date, don’t ask things like, “Are you able to go? Are you feeling strong enough?” Instead, just say, “Would you like to go on a date to the park with me this afternoon?” or, “Do you want to go to a movie?”

Dating Someone with Cerebral Palsy Is a Beautiful Experience

Dating someone with cerebral palsy doesn’t have to be as complicated as it might seem.

Instead, it’s all about having active communication, being honest, and telling/asking a partner how they can help.

Whether you’re dating someone who has Bipolar Disorder, has limited mobility, or has Asperger’s or any other differences, we’re here to help you navigate the dating and romance scene.

The same goes if you’re the differently-abled partner yourself, and need a bit of advice on how to help your partner help you.

Above all, we invite you to join our dating site.

After all, the love of your life could already be waiting for you.


15 comments:

  1. Emma

    May 1, 2019 at 3:37 pm

    This is great advice. But not needed. I have my own disabilities and understand. I looked up what CP is and that’s all. I ask questions and so does he. I don’t see him as disabled. He lives a very full life and is an amazing man. Ty for the email. We are doing very well so far. We’ve together for just over a month. We’re happy.

    Reply
  2. Precious Wright

    July 3, 2019 at 1:20 pm

    I have cerebral palsy I have a very mild case of it. My boyfriend has autism.. We are a great couple. I would not change a thing I don’t wanna be with any other person.

    Reply
  3. Wandakate

    August 13, 2019 at 6:47 pm

    I was born with spastic paralysis and it’s a cousin to C.P. My case is actually mild to compare with most however one leg has a calf and one does not. One leg is longer than the other and my right arm is actually longer than my left one. It’s like one longer arm and one shorter arm and leg. I have been this way all my life. I was married for 33.5 yrs. I have 2 daughters. I use a walker now inside but that was not always the case. I also now use a motorized scooter to get around which I didn’t use until I was in my mid 50’s…I am going to therapy twice a week for stretching exercises and other things they are doing to attempt to improve my balance.
    I live alone and care for my dog. My age is now 71 but my mine is only 41 on most days…I actually think I am 41 hahaha…My mind says go and do something but the body makes me stop b/c of the coordination. But at any rate we can live productive lives even with this challenge. I can’t walk well alone. I really feel more secure holding onto something and never attempt to walk outside b/c of falling so I use my motorized scooter…
    Love your life, be happy and do the best that you can do. Good luck to all disabled people out there. Where there is a will, ,there is a way…Keep moving, and never give up…
    Wandakate in N.C.

    Reply
    • A friend

      November 10, 2019 at 2:17 pm

      Hello Wandakate,

      I’ve just met a wonderful woman with seemingly mild CP. I can tell she’s awesome in many ways and stays active both physically and mentally. From what you say it sounds like you have been on a similar boat with a comparable perspective.

      My question to you is: if this girl is someone I can spend my life with, were there any specific moments that were life changing in your relationship as you aged that I should be wary of? Unexpected moments that made the relationship difficult to maintain stemming directly from your disability? Anything from childbirth to medical costs and treatments in general or activities that required a lot of time from your husband?

      I’d just like to know how life would be as I grew old with her basically. Obviously a lot of this is for me to answer on my own, but I’m sure there are certain aspects I may not expect

      Reply
  4. J

    October 6, 2019 at 12:30 am

    Hi I’m am able-bodied person who is a friend with someone with cp. I don’t know much about her specific condition and how it affects her except she doesn’t need a wheelchair and she doesn’t need a walker I don’t think. She’s pretty independent but I’m unsure of how to ask her more details on her condition without seeming rude or intrusive. I would like to know what I’m dealing with and if I should be prepared for anything in the future. Thank you LA in CA

    Reply
    • .

      June 22, 2021 at 5:18 pm

      I have cp and personally I like it when people ask questions it means they want to learn more and are interested. It has to be worded in the right way though. Eg. Hi,I hope you don’t mind me asking but and then your question and then the answer. I hope this helped

      Reply
  5. maddyoneil

    February 28, 2020 at 3:55 pm

    I have minor CP and have a best friend with Autism, ADHD, Anxiety. he’s Very understanding.

    Reply
  6. Patrick Hudson

    April 3, 2020 at 12:56 am

    What to do if your friend whith cervelli Pauley starts crying about something how to comfort her

    Reply
  7. Paul Mumford

    April 27, 2020 at 3:02 pm

    I asked a girl out (who has CP) for a date a while ago. She turned me down flat!

    Reply
  8. Meilsa

    July 10, 2020 at 5:24 pm

    Does a person with cp have any problem with the brain or act in a weird way?

    Reply
  9. Anonimous

    January 26, 2021 at 5:33 am

    Hi! Glad to read these questions. Actually , firstly , its important to understand that persons with CP are just people. At times , their would be chances when they will get some time to get comfortable with a person. The case vairies from person to person and according to the severity of their condition. However , its important to realise that we are not the only one who has to do the entire thing. If s / he is shy , then , we can take significant steps to initiate the conversations. However , as many people with CP and others for that matter are confident and fully capable in their respective fields , so , they’ll also make you feel comfortable. Also , as mentioned in the above post , researching too much about CP won’t actually be great in the long run. In most of the cases , CP doesn’t affect our thinking pattern. Afterall , its all a matter of our spirits and enthusiasm. I’m myself a person with optic nerve attrophy , but , this never affected my other neurological functioning. Hence , its all a matter of meutual understanding and we’ll get the right way.

    Reply
  10. Jane

    March 8, 2021 at 11:35 am

    I have mild cerebral palsy and would never consider dating someone with the same affliction. I want a normal life as possible and I don’t need the burden of dealing with someone else’s disability

    Reply
  11. Ann

    March 9, 2021 at 11:55 am

    I have mild cerebral palsy and I don’t know if I would want to date someone with the same issues as me

    Reply
  12. Katie

    March 9, 2021 at 3:44 pm

    DO NOT DELETE I have a right to express how I feel. CP have a wide range of abilities. So someone with mild CP might not want to date someone with serious CP

    Reply
  13. Bernardo

    July 16, 2023 at 10:33 pm

    I has been talking with a girl who have c/p, but her parents are overprotective, they just find out that we met in person and they call the cops, am I Im troubles? She’s 32

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Precious Wright Cancel reply


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