'Pretty Cripples' and the people turned on by disability
Posted: 12 Mar 2016, 16:43
After posting a photo of herself online, disabled BBC Three presenter Emily Yates was shocked to receive a message saying "pretty cripple". It led her to investigate the secret world of "devotees" - those who are sexually aroused by disabled people and their struggles.
It was 2011 and I was living in Melbourne, Australia, when I posted a photo of myself in my wheelchair on Facebook ahead of the university's annual ball.
Later I saw a few friendly comments had been added from people wishing me a great evening but below that I was shocked to see the words "pretty cripple" posted by a friend in New York.
I was hurt that compliments and negative terms could go hand-in-hand in this way, but was even more offended when I later discovered that, to some, it was the biggest gesture of admiration he could have given me.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-35762887