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Imani Barbarin in a Paris-based activist who often draws attention to the problems that people with disabilities face, encouraging everyone to face them with a positive attitude. Recently, Imani has started one of the most heartwarming initiatives on Twitter. Under the hashtag #YouCanLoveMeButYouCantHoldMyHand, the woman asked people with various physical and mental illnesses, “What are some of the physical ways your partner makes you feel loved that are different from the way abled people show love?”

"I actually am disabled. I was born with cerebral palsy," Barbarin told Bored Panda. "I asked the question initially out of a desire to see more romances involving disabled characters and realized that to represent disabled romances correctly, the 'regular' romantic signifiers wouldn't apply. For instance, because I walk with crutches and use my hands heavily to get around, I can't hold hands in public spaces, but I'm just one person with a disability so I decided to post the question online."

"I think the love and companionship that disabled people need and desire is the same, it just manifests itself in different ways," Imani added. "Too often, we portray loving someone disabled as burdensome, but the people who have responded are joyous in the way they show they care. That's uplifting to see."

She thinks that the reason why so many people have resonated with the post has a lot to do with loneliness. "These stories are those of hope. We can be loved the way we are and the right person will make us feel more at home in our own skin."

"I specifically want disabled people to be hopeful in reading these stories. I want them to know, myself included, that we aren't a burden or abnormal to love.

More info: Facebook | Twitter

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    Isabel Care
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't drop stuff, I just have a personal poltergeist following me around. Bought pretty plastic "glasses" so they bounce when dropped, less to clean up

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    Magpie
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wonderful !..... Be Brave Life is Joyous...quote from Leunig. ( Australian cartoonist and social commentator )

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    Raela beebe
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could be a sensory disorder. I had a friend when I was little who couldn't be touched a lot when she was a kid, I had to be really careful. She's gotten better with it over the years but if She's anxious unless you know her like I do it's hard to know when It's ok to touch her.

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    Magpie
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow...that just sucks. And the love your @Lalizig demonstrates is brilliant. "Love is a Verb" it is what we choose to show with our actions each and every day. sorry i cannot remember where i read that. *possibly* Ursula K. Le Guin

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    Jacqui Baker
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I usually just throw up anything I've taken for the pain but live with codeine/paracetamol tabs on my bedside cabinet , my hubby will get a bucket and put it on a towel next to the bed for me cause he knows any sudden movements (like a run to the loo) make me worse.

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    katboxjanitor
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love and gratitude is not 'little' and neither is your expression of appreciation.

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    Amanda Raynes
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thats so nice i am heat sensitive with my heart and my man acts like it is new to him constantly

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    Sven Mom
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have undiagnosed neuro disorder. My left side sometimes jerks ans pills upward. My typically PASSIVE husband about came over the cart when people in line at Wally World check out were imitating and mocking me behind my back. Was especially proud to have him at my side that day. He is always there for me despite his own pain, missing one leg and preparing to have the other one removed.

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    Amanda Raynes
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get left with kids and he looks at me crazy when i suggest he even leave the room. My heart is bad and i am stating to see he just doesnt care

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    BarryAllenTheFlash
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is so sweet! It sounds like you guys support each other through a lot.

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    Caroline Espenschied
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's good that you hear "I love you" when he says "Did you take your meds ?"... :-)

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    Magpie
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    PTSD is a b***h! for those who are working through it, and our friends and loves. Hang in there, with a lot of the *right* counseling, practice and more practice it does get easier to live with. Partner medal award here too.

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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, bless him. Love IS a verb, this is what it looks like.

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    Yes I am copying and pasting myself... damn computer screen has gone all watery. >>Wow, bless him. Love IS a verb, this is what it looks like.

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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So my definition of love keeps expanding. Love is a verb, and asking careful questions and being perceptive.

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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    and making us laugh : So my definition of love keeps expanding. Love is a verb, and asking careful questions and being perceptive.

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    Me too about being a zombie. Lol. But that just sounds so nice, sweet,kind,reassuring and would make me feel safe and very loved. You're Blessed. Remember that on bad days may help. God Bless <3

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