Choosing the Date Location is as Important as the Date Itself

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The awesomeness of dating is that it’s a fun activity where you can relax, enjoy yourself, and take some time out not only for you, but for someone you enjoy. It’s one of the true pleasures of life: time away from work and family. What could be better than that?

But factor in having a disability and your options on where to go and what you can do (depending on your abilities of course) can seem limited. You may not be able to do all of the popular dating activities that your able-bodied counterparts are doing on Blind Date, but there are still a ton of options at your disposal. Remember, all you need is a little creativity.

Some things to think of in the beginning

• How well do you know your date? Is this your first date or the tenth time you’ve hung out? This should be your first priority as you begin the process of figuring out the “where’s” and “what’s” of your upcoming fabulous date.
• Let’s face it, there will be some date ideas that you’ll feel more comfortable doing compared to others. Some activities could expose your limitations, and this (not surprisingly), may be something you simply won’t do with just anyone. Needless to say, disabled or not, we always want to put our best face forward. So don’t feel bad if you find yourself in this situation.
• If you’ve met online and you’re meeting in-person for the first time, I know I may sound like a broken record, but MEET SOMEWHERE PUBLICLY. If it becomes apparent that your date’s bad temper might have gotten worse if you were in a private setting, you’ll be glad you were munching on a slice at your local pizza parlor instead.
• Ask about your date’s hobbies. Better yet, dig deeper with questions than you normally do. Ask fun questions like, “What would you eat if you had been sentenced to death and could eat whatever you wanted?” or “As a child, what was your favorite thing to do on a snow day?” Answers to unusual questions can turn on the light bulb above your head and flood your brain with some stellar ideas.
• Remember that it’s never too late to change your itinerary. Make sure you’re paying attention to your date’s body signals throughout your time together. Does he or she seem bored or uninterested in what you’re doing? Don’t be afraid to mix things up and suggest something else on the fly.
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