ADVERTISEMENT

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

#4

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

TheMattSchwartz Report

Add photo comments
POST
izzymcare avatar
Isabel Care
Community Member
5 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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

KatAMacfarlane Report

Add photo comments
POST
bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 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 )

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

Hannah_Zeev Report

Add photo comments
POST
horselover-1 avatar
Raela beebe
Community Member
5 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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

PixelUlu Report

Add photo comments
POST
bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#12

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

Denisepersisted Report

Add photo comments
POST
bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love is a verb, and brave, and imaginative and adaptable.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

findingmygay Report

Add photo comments
POST
#19

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

alexhaagaard Report

Add photo comments
POST
jacquibaker avatar
Jacqui Baker
Community Member
5 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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

FunkisHen Report

Add photo comments
POST
greytoes_99 avatar
katboxjanitor
Community Member
5 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.

ADVERTISEMENT
#21

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

TheLizFantastic Report

Add photo comments
POST
acshepherd1218 avatar
Amanda Raynes
Community Member
5 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

View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

wintersong Report

Add photo comments
POST
fjordhestfarm avatar
Sven Mom
Community Member
5 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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

PleaseMrsButler Report

Add photo comments
POST
#29

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

RosebudsTheSled Report

Add photo comments
POST
acshepherd1218 avatar
Amanda Raynes
Community Member
5 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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

edyngreen Report

Add photo comments
POST
flashiverse avatar
BarryAllenTheFlash
Community Member
5 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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#31

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

JamieVanSulli Report

Add photo comments
POST
au-coin-de-la-page avatar
Caroline Espenschied
Community Member
5 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 ?"... :-)

View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

meg19_99 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#38

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

KristinAsker Report

#39

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

Elle5Gina Report

Add photo comments
POST
#40

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

sicklefrijoles Report

Add photo comments
POST
bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#45

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

_LeahRachel Report

Add photo comments
POST
izzymcare avatar
Isabel Care
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look up Graphene heat pads. Mains or power pack for use out and about

#46

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

scorpiospoonie Report

Add photo comments
POST
#48

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

RebeccaDreiling Report

Add photo comments
POST
bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 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.

#49

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

sarah1986 Report

Add photo comments
POST
bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mental health issues scare so many people... he is doing very well, hope things ease for you too.

#50

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

napqueen__ Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#51

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

InkedNepenthe Report

Add photo comments
POST
elichaffner avatar
Kiss Army
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went over to my parent's house twice a day for several months to give my dad injections because he couldn't do it himself and it was so hard for my mom to do.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#52

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

JamieVanSulli Report

Add photo comments
POST
#55

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

BlondeBlogger Report

Add photo comments
POST
#56

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

sadclownbaby666 Report

Add photo comments
POST
bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Arrrg that sound horribly painful ! An award here too.

#57

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

jennlynbrown Report

Add photo comments
POST
#59

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

emotionaleater Report

Add photo comments
POST
#60

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

rachael_stevens Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#62

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

SydneyClifford Report

Add photo comments
POST
#63

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

MSorsomething Report

Add photo comments
POST
bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

#64

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

ChieAleman Report

Add photo comments
POST
#65

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

PawLilith Report

Add photo comments
POST
#66

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

john_gayne Report

Add photo comments
POST
#67

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

rfvanderlinde Report

Add photo comments
POST
bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 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.

#68

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

jenrobinegan Report

Add photo comments
POST
#69

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

findingmygay Report

Add photo comments
POST
#70

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

A_D_Elliott Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#72

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

jlinne Report

Add photo comments
POST
#73

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

doodle_beth Report

Add photo comments
POST
#74

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

BlondeHistorian Report

Add photo comments
POST
bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
5 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.

#75

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

sic_sonja Report

Add photo comments
POST
#76

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

sabrina_tess_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
#77

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

existenceisjoy Report

Add photo comments
POST
#78

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

EineLorelei Report

Add photo comments
POST
#79

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

kelsdi Report

Add photo comments
POST
#80

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

pots_n_pains Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#81

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

kaybr0 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#82

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

ssfontana5 Report

Add photo comments
POST
lisawetter1960 avatar
Lisa DeJarnette
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

#83

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

pots_n_pains Report

Add photo comments
POST
#84

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

Born2lbFat Report

Add photo comments
POST
#85

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

EmbraceEnigma Report

Add photo comments
POST
#86

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

KatAMacfarlane Report

Add photo comments
POST
#87

#youcanlovemebutyoucantholdmyhand

chrisiant Report

Add photo comments
POST
lizmorea avatar
Liz Morea
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While coffee does have more caffeine than energy drinks, it's how the caffeine is delivered that seems to be at issue. ... Energy drinks are often high in sugar, while even sweetened coffee would contain less. A Monster Energy Drink has 54 grams of sugar, which is equal to 13.5 teaspoons!Sep 11, 2014