What do you think of a service that provides sexual help for the disabled?

[Bonobo]

There is such a service now in Japan.

It is called "White Hands" and I know it would be controversial as hell in the US.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/features/view/business-caters-to-sexual-needs-of-disabled
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“The disabled too have sexual desire. Well, of course they do, it goes without saying, and yet most care facilities ignore the fact.”

One that doesn’t is a Niigata-based organization called White Hands. “It’s very businesslike,” writes investigative journalist Kaori Kawai in Shukan Post (Aug 20-27). “A young woman slips on a pair of disposable gloves. She removes the man’s trousers and underwear and covers him with a bath towel. She dips a cloth in warm water and rubs him down. She slips a condom on him. The woman does not remove her clothes, engages in no superfluous sexual contact, uses no erotic DVDs or books. The entire procedure lasts 5 to 10 minutes on average.”

White Hands was established in 2008. As of June 30, it had 155 clients scattered all over the country. Some 80% of them are men suffering from cerebral palsy – either singles who due to paralysis cannot masturbate, or married and unable, for the same reason, to engage in sex without assistance.

Kawai introduces us to one regular client. Akio Sudo, 54, lives in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture. The youngest of eight children, he never went to school; his father went bear-hunting with the disabled child strapped to his back. He was 20 when his father died. He went to live in an institution, vowing to get out of it someday and live independently. It took him 20 years to develop the skills and confidence, but he did it.

Being in a wheelchair hardly seemed to confine him. He made frequent train trips on his own from Joetsu to Tokyo for the sexual services there. This was before the age of barrier-free convenience. If his wheelchair got stuck or upended, observing how people reacted became part of the fun. With an attitude like that, you can go far.

[fadedrose]

1. It's about time...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I think it's a great idea.

And yes, it would be very controversial here.

[Zorra]

3. Long overdue. nt

[wickerwoman]

4. If it's consensual why not?

It depends on the disability though. How do you define consent for someone with the mental or emotional age of a four year old?

[Liquorice]

5. It sounds like it's only for disabled men. nt

[TheMadMonk]

8. Tradition says otherwise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_hysteria

:hide:

[Liquorice]

9. I have no idea what that link has to do with my post, or with

disabled people hiring sex workers in general. It's like you just wanted to find a place to post the link, and underneath my post seemed like as good a place as any. :shrug:

[TheMadMonk]

11. I was noting that modern "theraputic orgasms" were introduced for women.

Which stands in contrast to your only for (disabled) men observation. Perhaps I was reading in a degree of envy, which wasn't there.

I could also note that the only thing really remarkable about the OP article is the open acknowledgement of the health benefits of sexual release (and provision of such service) in a Western facing direction.

Informally (and in differently prudish cultures) such services (including full "service") have been available to the differently abled since time immemorial. Including with "propper discression" women (at least those of means).

[Enthusiast]

14. That's why the Monk was ducking his head.

:rofl:

[Lost-in-FL]

6. If that is all they have to look forward to then why not?

It all depends of course if they are conscious of the act (based on the degree of disability or mental health of course).

And no, I could see euthanasia being legalized in the US first before the sexual service is even considered.

[Enthusiast]

15. I can see a certain segment

of society perceiving euthanasia as the lesser of two evils.

[Tripod]

7. Welcome to Las Vegas,,,,

My 98 year old Grandma is in therapy for a stroke too. No, really, I think it is a great idea. I hope when I get old that medicare will help me pay for it. LOL. I have a relative that has been disabled from birth. I think at 15 years of age he would do a lot better in life with sexual issues taken care of. I'm not 15, but I feel that way still. :bounce:

[Codeine]

10. Makes sense.

But you're right, the reaction would probably be quite negative here.

[Ilsa]

12. Something like this could also make the difference in

restoring sexuality to men that have undergone prostate surgery.

[blue neen]

13. The disabled have the right to as full a life as they can get.

That includes sex.

[seabeyond]

16. you mean disabled man has sexual desire. cause i am not reading any concern for the disabled woman.

:shrug:

[Bonobo]

17. I guess they just just both do without then? nt

[seabeyond]

20. you state people, but it is clearly not about people. it is about men.

there is not a damn thing wrong with pointing that out as it screams out to us. you have all this self righteous empathy for them men and not an iota or thought for the women.

[Bonobo]

22. So you have sympathy for the men then?

I don't see that either.

BTW, I did not design the system, I did not even comment on the system. I asked a question, so how can you make so many assumptions about my level of care or lack for women?

I would be all for women getting the same treatment.

[WatsonT]

26. If this post were about women

and someone were to say "what about the men?" that person would be derided as sexist.

[howard112211]

28. Tell me: Would a similar service for women find recipients?

Honestly, I'm curious.

[undeterred]

18. As long as it doesn't involve providing birth control for women

it won't be controversial in the United States.

[jberryhill]

19. I think it's none of my business

[Stuckinthebush]

21. Best response of the whole thread ^

Bingo.

[RichGirl]

23. I think prostitution in general should be legalized.

That would eliminate the middle man, the pimp, who doesn't do anything except take a big cut of the money.

After that we should eliminate the pimp in the healthcare system. That would be the insurance company.

[ThomCat]

24. This is a great idea,

I think this is a fantastic idea, as long as;

• They offer this equally to men and women
  
• It is covered by insurance or assistance programs
  
• They provide and manage the birth control
  

A hell of a lot of people with disabilities are expected to have no sex life at all. Imagine that if it was you, having to live without any sexual outlet at all. None. Because you can't do anything by yourself, and you can't get any of the help you need because this one part of your health is off-limits for serious help or even discussion.

[uppityperson]

25. Very interesting. Having it be regulated to make sure it is safe sounds good.

[backscatter712]

27. They call them sex surrogates in the U.S.

A bit controversial, but they exist.

[KamaAina]

29. Where do I sign up?

:evilgrin:

not a mobility disability, but one that keeps the females wondering if I'm really a potential partner. :(