Love With a Disability – The Dreamy Date. Like the change of seasons, relationships can take all sorts of forms. Take Emma (40) and Heath (43), who have been in love for almost two years now. These Momentum Collective NDIS participants met at a day program and have been determined to make their relationship work ever since. At the time, the couple faced a range of barriers that prevented them from seeing each other. So one day they decided to move closer to one another by taking up residence in our houses across the Gold Coast. Momentum Collective Community Support Worker Jessica Grosskreutz says that “love is love and shouldn’t be different when living with a disability. Having a physical or intellectual disability doesn’t change the need for a loving relationship with another person or the desire to express it. When people living with disability form intimate relationships, they often experience cultural stereotypes and prejudices that can be hurtful and damaging”. “I’m here to support Emma and Heath, giving them back the choice and control on what they want to do”. With a smile on her face, Emma still remembers the day Heath popped the question asking her to be his girlfriend. “It was on the bus coming back from the day program. I was so happy and was in tears. When I told my family, they were all excited for me. He is a great man and I can feel the love in my heart. To be seen by your partner for who you are and be accepted and celebrated... it’s a good thing” - Emma.
The couple are now inseparable and they make plans in advance to organise special dates such as visiting the Botanical Gardens, going out for dinner or stopping by each other’s SIL houses. Heath would like to see everyone who is looking for love to find their soul mate and get the best support they can. “My Support Worker listens to me and helps me see Emma. They know what I like to do and help me plan activities with my girlfriend. Without Momentum Collective’s support, I would probably still be living at home with my parents” - Heath. Emma and Heath’s plans are to live together and maybe marry one day. Until then, they intend to continue going on dates together much like their Valentine’s Day experience
this year, sailing into the sunset with their favourite snacks and drinks.
30 | Momentum Collective
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