The Controversial World of Medically Assisted Sex for the Disabled

VICE Asia
24 Jun 201917:31
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script features Spencer Williams, a 24-year-old radio show host living with cerebral palsy in Vancouver, discussing the intersection of physical disabilities and sexuality. Williams, a client of Sensual Solutions for over a year, hosts a radio show called 'All Access Pass,' which focuses on disability issues. He has been instrumental in creating a mini-series on sex surrogates or intimacy coaches, professionals who provide sensual touch and erotic coaching for individuals with sexual dysfunction or physical challenges. Sensual Solutions, a company based in Vancouver, operates in a legal gray area due to Canada's laws around paid sexual services but aims to improve the sexual lives of clients with disabilities. The script highlights the importance of sexual rights for all, the misconceptions about disabled individuals' sexual desires, and the ethical debates surrounding the commodification of sex. It also showcases the personal stories of individuals who have benefited from these services, emphasizing the transformative impact on their confidence and quality of life.

Takeaways
  • 🎙️ Spencer Williams, a radio show host with cerebral palsy, discusses the intersection of physical disabilities and sexuality on his show 'All Access Pass'.
  • 🤝 Sensual Solutions is a company that provides intimacy coaches for people with disabilities to help them navigate their sexual lives.
  • 🇨🇦 Operating in a legal gray space due to Canada's laws, Sensual Solutions works in an area where sex work is not explicitly legal but also not criminalized.
  • 🌐 The company's services aim to improve the sexual quality of life for clients with disabilities, countering the misconception that disabled people do not have sexual desires.
  • 📈 The episode on sex and disability has been well-received and considered the most important one to date, highlighting the importance of the topic.
  • 💡 Sensual Solutions was founded by Trish Central after she identified a lack of services for disabled individuals in relation to sexuality and sensuality.
  • 🚫 The societal tendency to desexualize disabled people contributes to the lack of services available to them for sexual fulfillment.
  • 🧘 The services offered by Sensual Solutions include cuddling, touching, kissing, and massaging, with a focus on helping clients find new pleasure centers.
  • 👪 Some family members of clients are uncomfortable with the concept, associating it with sex work or trafficking, despite it being a therapeutic service.
  • 💰 Clients find the service valuable and worth the investment, emphasizing the importance of sexual fulfillment as a basic human right.
  • 🤔 The hiring process for intimacy coaches at Sensual Solutions includes an application, phone screening, in-person interview, and background check, with an emphasis on individuals with a health background or a personal connection to disability.
  • 🌟 Coaches are motivated by a variety of factors, including personal connections to disability, human rights activism, and a belief in the importance of sexual health for all.
Q & A
  • What is the name of the radio show hosted by Spencer Williams?

    -The radio show is called 'All Access Pass'.

  • What is the primary focus of Spencer Williams' radio show?

    -The show primarily focuses on disability and disability issues.

  • What is the name of the organization that Trish started?

    -Trish started an organization called 'Sensual Solutions'.

  • What type of professionals does Sensual Solutions hire to work with their clients?

    -Sensual Solutions hires intimacy coaches, who are professionals that provide sensual touch and erotic coaching.

  • What is the goal of the services provided by Sensual Solutions?

    -The goal is to improve the quality of the client's future sexual life by helping them overcome obstacles in their sex lives due to disabilities.

  • How does Spencer Williams describe the response to the episode on sex and disability?

    -Spencer Williams describes the response as really well received and considers it the most important episode to date.

  • What is the legal status of companies like Sensual Solutions in Vancouver?

    -Companies like Sensual Solutions operate in a legal gray space due to Canada's laws around paid sexual services.

  • What misconception does Trish identify about people with disabilities?

    -The biggest misconception is that people with disabilities do not have sexual desires or needs.

  • What does Trish mean by 'remapping of the brain' in the context of her services?

    -It refers to the process of finding new pleasure centers in the body for clients whose genitalia may not be functioning, essentially helping the client access their body for pleasure in different ways.

  • What is the typical hiring process for intimacy coaches at Sensual Solutions?

    -The process includes a basic application form, a phone screening, an in-person meeting, and a criminal record check. Trish also looks for individuals with a health background.

  • Why does Trish believe there is a lack of services for disabled people when it comes to sex?

    -Trish believes the lack of services is due to societal tendencies to desexualize disabled people and avoid dealing with their sexual needs.

  • What is the perspective of the clients who use Sensual Solutions regarding their experiences?

    -The clients express increased confidence, a sense of being human and worthy, and gratitude for the service that allows them to explore their sexuality.

Outlines
00:00
🎤 Spencer Williams on Disability and Sexuality

Spencer Williams, a 24-year-old radio show host living with cerebral palsy, discusses the intersection of physical disabilities and sexuality. He is a client of Sensuous Solutions, an organization that provides sensual touch and erotic coaching to people with sexual dysfunction or physical challenges. The discussion includes the importance of not excluding oneself from a fulfilling life, the role of sex surrogates or intimacy coaches, and the legal and ethical considerations surrounding such services. Williams emphasizes the impact of Sensuous Solutions on his confidence and views on sexuality, and how it has helped him and others to not feel alone in their experiences.

05:02
🤝 Sensuous Solutions: Bridging the Gap for Disabled Individuals

Trish Central, founder of Sensuous Solutions, talks about the lack of services for disabled people regarding sexuality and how societal misconceptions contribute to this gap. She describes the range of services offered, such as cuddling, touching, and massage, with the aim of helping clients discover new pleasure centers and improve their sexual life. The paragraph also touches on the personal stories of clients who have used the service, their nervousness, and the ultimate positive impact on their self-worth and confidence. It also explores the reactions of family members to the use of such services and the distinction between sex work and therapy.

10:08
🌟 Hiring and Motivation Behind Sensuous Solutions Coaches

The hiring process and motivations of intimacy coaches at Sensuous Solutions are explored. The coaches come from diverse backgrounds, including health professionals and human rights activists, and are driven by a belief in the importance of sexual health and rights for all. The narrative discusses the training provided to coaches, the educational aspect of their work in helping clients understand their sexual desires, and the personal rewards coaches receive from their roles. It also addresses the stigma associated with sex work and the importance of recognizing the value of sexual services as a basic human right.

15:09
🚀 Overcoming Stigma and the Transformative Power of Sensuous Solutions

The final paragraph delves into the personal experiences of clients and coaches with Sensuous Solutions. It highlights the initial unease some feel about paying for sexual services, but also the profound impact it has on their confidence and overall life satisfaction. The narrative emphasizes the misconceptions and stigma surrounding sex work and the importance of viewing sexual services as a legitimate and necessary part of human connection and well-being. It concludes with reflections on the transformative effect of the sessions and the ongoing excitement and novelty clients feel with each encounter.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Disability
Disability refers to a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities. In the video, it is a central theme as it discusses the impact of physical disabilities on sexuality and how services like Sensual Solutions cater to the intimate needs of individuals with disabilities, aiming to improve their quality of life.
💡Sexuality
Sexuality is related to a person's sexual identity, desires, behaviors, and orientation. The video emphasizes the importance of sexuality for individuals with disabilities, challenging societal misconceptions that may desexualize them. It highlights the need for open conversations and services that support their sexual health and well-being.
💡Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects body movement, muscle tone, and coordination. Spencer Williams, the radio show host in the video, lives with cerebral palsy. His condition is used as an example to discuss the broader issues of how physical disabilities can affect one's sexual life and the importance of addressing these issues.
💡Sensual Solutions
Sensual Solutions is a Vancouver-based company that provides intimacy coaching for people with sexual dysfunction or physical challenges. The company operates in a legal gray space due to Canada's laws around paid sexual services. It is portrayed in the video as a pioneering organization that helps clients overcome obstacles in their sex lives, emphasizing the importance of sexual rights for everyone.
💡Sex Surrogates
Sex surrogates, also known as intimacy coaches, are professionals who provide sensual touch and erotic coaching. They work with clients to help improve their sexual life quality, particularly those facing sexual dysfunction or physical disabilities. In the video, the role of sex surrogates is explored as a means to help individuals with disabilities experience intimacy and sexual fulfillment.
💡Legal Gray Space
The term 'legal gray space' refers to an area of law that is not clearly defined or regulated. In the context of the video, Sensual Solutions operates in such a space due to the nature of their services and the laws around paid sexual services in Canada. This highlights the ethical and legal complexities surrounding the provision of sexual assistance services.
💡Human Rights
Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled. The video discusses the concept of sexual rights as a part of human rights, arguing that everyone, including those with disabilities, should have access to sexual experiences. It emphasizes the importance of advocacy for self and others to ensure these rights are not infringed upon.
💡Sex Work
Sex work refers to the exchange of sexual services for money or goods. In the video, there is a discussion about the stigma and misconceptions associated with sex work, particularly in the context of services provided by Sensual Solutions. The video aims to differentiate between sex work and the therapeutic, consensual, and professional services offered by the company.
💡Stigma
Stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. The video addresses the stigma surrounding sex work and the services provided to individuals with disabilities. It highlights the negative societal attitudes and the impact these can have on the acceptance and provision of sexual assistance services.
💡Confidence
Confidence refers to a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities. In the video, the impact of sexual experiences facilitated by Sensual Solutions on clients' confidence is discussed. It is shown as a positive outcome, with clients reporting increased self-esteem and a sense of empowerment.
💡Somatic Sex Work
Somatic sex work involves body-oriented practices and therapies that focus on the body's role in the sexual experience. The video mentions this type of work in the context of helping clients discover new ways to experience pleasure and intimacy, which may not involve traditional forms of sexual activity. It is part of the holistic approach taken by Sensual Solutions to address clients' sexual needs.
Highlights

Spencer Williams, a 24-year-old radio show host living with cerebral palsy, discusses the intersection of physical disabilities and sexuality.

Williams is a client of Sensual Solutions, an organization that provides support for people with disabilities to improve their sexual lives.

Sensual Solutions operates in a legal gray space due to Canada's laws around paid sexual services.

The organization pairs clients with intimacy coaches to help overcome obstacles in their sex lives.

There is a significant lack of services for disabled people regarding sexuality, often stemming from the misconception that they do not have sexual desires.

Sensual Solutions aims to provide a range of services from cuddling to erotic coaching, assisting clients in discovering new pleasure centers.

The response to Williams' radio show episode on sex and disability has been very positive, highlighting its importance.

Trish, the founder of Sensual Solutions, started the organization after noticing the lack of services for disabled individuals in the sex industry.

Sensual Solutions' approach includes helping clients with tasks such as transfers and condom use, aiming to enhance their sexual experiences.

The stigma around sex work and the desexualization of disabled people are significant barriers to providing these services.

Coaches at Sensual Solutions are motivated by a variety of factors, including personal connections to disability and a belief in sexual rights as human rights.

The hiring process for Sensual Solutions includes a criminal record check and an interview to assess the candidate's motivations and background.

Sensual Solutions provides training for coaches in areas such as basic transfers and understanding the needs of disabled clients.

Clients often need guidance in discovering their sexual desires and preferences, which Sensual Solutions helps to facilitate.

The work done by Sensual Solutions is seen as healing and transformative, helping clients gain confidence and a sense of self-worth.

There is a societal stigma attached to the concept of exchanging sexual services for money, which Sensual Solutions aims to challenge.

Sensual Solutions views sexual interaction as a basic human need, essential for overall well-being and connection.

The experiences provided by Sensual Solutions have a profound impact on clients, boosting their confidence and changing their lives.

Transcripts
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