Could you ever fall in love with a person who has Down Syndrome?

Question

I ask this question not to insult anyone with a disability, but to ask in the spirit of sociological intrigue.

Can you pick and choose who you fall in love with?

Be honest. Could you have a romantic relationship with someone who has a profound intellectual or physical disability?

I'm not seeking a philosophical answer as to if it is possible to fall in love with a disabled person, I'm looking for your PERSONAL OPINION as to how YOU think YOU would react if faced with the possibility of loving a disabled person.

Answer 1

I really don't think so - being able to have an intellectual conversation with someone is absoultely a requistite for me to develop feelings for that person.

I've spent a lot of time volunteering for a program that teaches the developmentally disabled to ride horses - I cared about a lot of these kids, but I don't see myself developing a romantic relationship with someone like that.

Answer 2

down syndrome is a serious thing I think, so I guess no. I guess the person would be too disabled to give a love a person like me needs. I don't know about down syndrome, but have seen disabled people having relationships with people who are also disabled.

I think it's the degree of the disability that matters. Me myself I have schizoaffective disorder, but if I take meds or don't have a psychosis for some other reason I'm quite normal.

But if I had a psychosis it would be impossible to have a relation with me. How could you, if I see everybody as a threat and liar and just making fun of me.

As for the intellectual disability, also NO. But again depends on the degree.

As for physical I think yes. But not if I have to take too much care of the other person. Because being a bit disabled myself, taking care of myself gives me enough to do.

Answer 3

I think you subconsciously choose the one you fall in love with based on your inner beliefs and preferences - it would be difficult to go against it (based on my experience).
Some people may not mind loving somebody with disabilities but others may - I do not want to sound rude or anything but I think it is almost impossible for me to fall in love for a person with Down Syndrome. The obvious reason is the physical attraction, the second is the fact that the things that we can talk about would probably be limited and third, I think I cannot handle the responsibility of taking care of somebody with a profound intellectual or physical disability.

Answer 4

I don't think I could because I need intellectual stimulation as much as physical stimulation, and I don't think I'd get that from someone with Down's. It would be difficult to discuss world events and complex matters and I don't think I could constantly bite my tongue and watch what I say about things.

If my husband became disabled, or had a TBI or something, I wouldn't leave him, but I couldn't fall in love with someone who already had a mental disability. I would feel like I was taking advantage of them, or like I was with a child, and I wouldn't feel right about it.

I don't want another child, I want an equal partner. Don't mean to sound snotty, that's just the way it is.

Answer 5

hmmmm...tough question! seeing as I am a mom to a little boy with down syndrome...I would hope that he finds a person that will look past his "syndrome" and love him for the wonderful person he is.
But reality is....there is too much fear and social stigma on disabilities...will it ever change? probably not in my lifetime....and that is so sad! for most people in this society they see a person who is different from themselves and they shy away and don't want to get to know the person. I have learned a lot in the few short years that my son has been on this earth...one is that people can be cruel and judgmental....that breaks my heart.
but on a positive note my son has taught me how to break through those stereotypes and accept people for who they are... rather than what they may or may not have. so to answer your question...yes I would.

Answer 6

Speaking as a disabled person myself, I can only say that I hope someone could look beyond my physical and mental disabilities and see me. I have schizo-affective disorder. Also I had a stroke this past August, so now my left side is just for looks. As for picking who we love, no, I do not believe we can. Our hearts do not have eyes nor minds of their own. Our hearts go on feelings. Feelings of love or hate are the hearts domain. And it is up to our mind to realize that sometimes you just have to go where your heart leads you.

Answer 7

I could fall in love with someone with a physical disability.

Intellectual disability... I don't know. I don't think so.

☼

Answer 8

The ONLY way I could is if my wife became disabled. Then of course I would stay with her because I love her and I am hers through the best and the worst, just like in our vows and I wouldn't love her any less. She is my heart, and I'd never cheat on her even if she was unable to perform sexually. And no, people cannot "pick and choose" who we fall in love with.... GREAT QUESTION!

Answer 9

I personally could not fall in love wih a preson if I knew they had down syndrome . It would be to much stress, and the thought of starting a family is out of the question.

As far as picking who you fall in love with huuum, actually yes you make the decision of weither you decide to let that person in to fall in love with them.

Answer 10

I don't know. There are degrees of disabilities that are not compatible in a mature relationship. In relationships, I seek intellectual counterparts.

Some disabilities are never seen. I have a TBI, but no one would know it unless I mentioned it. With that, I deal with what I got. I am introspective about who I let in.