disabilities?

I am just a guest but I've read a number of your forums. I spent a couple of afternoons taking part in a nudist household a number of years ago. At 79 years of age I'm not going to change my lifestyle, but I do enjoy people who don't necessarily follow all of the social norms. I am also a blind person. I am interested if any of you are or know nudists who are blind or otherwise physically disabled.

I plan to ask a number of other questions, but for right now this is it.

 

I've come across nudists with disabilities, usually having to use walking sticks or who have a wheelchair. Also met someone with only one leg.

 

There's a well-known naturist in Vermont named Jim Cunningham, who's suffered some severe effects from diabetes. He's become blind, and lost most of one leg, plus he's had a kidney transplant, and more recently he received a new pancreas. In spite of all that, he continues to write and at times he's run a magazine and an organization, both called Naturist Life International. He's said "Well, you just have to play the cards that you get dealt."

Jim Cunningham is still online:
http://www.jimccunningham.com/

If you want to contact him, I'm sure he'd be happy to talk to you, but note that he's very religious. It might lead to conflict with people who have the hippie outlook.

 

I don't care if their black or white, if they have any disabilities or not. People are people no matter what.

Only stipulations I have is- I ain't gay; no baby rapers; and nothing sexual.


ETA- I have several physical disabilities as well. It doesn't stop me.

 

Disabilities are very common, and inconsequential to the enjoyment of naturism. We are not all sculpted and chiselled from marble and buffed to perfection. Be aware that people can participate in naturism irrespective of whether or not they are able-bodied e.g. wheelchairs. Amputees are the most common I've met (including quad-limb defects i.e. no arms or legs). Myself, I have been profoundly deaf since 1974 and also had a kidney transplant in 1977. The first "disability" (is it!?) is entirely inconsequential to naturism and life in general; the second only elicts a polite, often shy enquiry about the scar (which in the 1970s era was significantly bigger e.g. 28cm then as opposed to 14cm now!). Otherwise, many thousands of people the world over throw off their inhibitions and self-consciousness and enjoy naturism for what it is — a healthy, natural pastime or full-time lifestyle.

 

I wish I could help you..
There is a nudist community not far from where i live, only once as a teenager did I work up enough nerve to approach the gate and that was only as a product of liquid courage. Needless to say i wasn't let in and I never looked back into it.

Through high school and college I was a bit of an exhibitionist and very comfortable in my skin until just a few years ago when I lost a leg.. I struggled a lot with that change and lost the comfort I had with my body... It took the acceptance of quite a few others (generally people I met online or in bars) before I felt comfortable in my own skin again. I can't help but think that had I participated in a nudist community/environment all along that I might have taken a much more healthy journey to where I am at now..

I am confident that nudist by nature are all blind to the physical differences of others..
I hope you find what you seek, and look forward to seeing more of you around here..

 

I find that isn't always so, and that by nature everyone acts human. Faults included.

 

That's kind of a bummer... Perhaps I just always idealized nudists/nudism because of my curiosity and lick of experience..

Hope my prior post wasn't entirely unproductive..
I believe I'm going to look more into Jim Cunningham so this thread has at least given me something to think about/look into.

I do look forward to reading and learning more about this and many other things here in the forums.

 

How is it a bummer? I don't understand? People are people no matter where you go.

It doesn't matter how other people view you or others, their views mean nothing. Just treat people equally and fairly, and let others live as they please. You can't change them. Don't let them change you.

 

Only because it would be rough standing there naked for all to see, then realize that you are being scrutinized physically, especially if it were blatantly brought to your attention... I don't know I am comfortable/confident enough in my body to handle that as well as I would hope to...

I do agree with your perspective though..

I did read a little bit about that gentleman mentioned earlier, but it was tied to religion.. I'm not a particularly religious sort myself...

 

I have only a couple of instances when I was naked in the presence of other nudists. It was cool. No one judged me for anything.

I used to have a picture of me posing with one and his friends, everyone was nekkid as a jay bird but me, I had just come in from church. So I was in a suit & tie. I'm standing there posing with them nekkid as a jay bird folks. Funny thing is, I've been naked with them before. Never cranked a boner over the girls, until I was in a suit & tie and then, damn! Well, you get the idea. The folks at church had a problem with it and all I said was "Hey, I'm preachin' to them, so what does it matter?" Anyhow, end of tangent warning....lol!

But no one judged me. I recall when I was in my yard naked and some folks from out of town were driving by and videoed me gardening naked. They took it to the sheriff (I was out in the county) and he cited them for it. They failed to note the road they were on is private though paved. They both got nailed for trespass & voyeurism. Damn I loved that! The sheriff shook his head over the whole thing. All boils down to what he said and what my nudist friends said- it's all about respect. I mind my own business and the terrorists errrr, I mean tooorists should mind their own business.

Likewise, respect, bro. What I'm saying here is no one is gonna judge you because of your body. Because it's all about respect. Me, if they don't like my body then they can always look the other direction. If they don't like your body, same thing. So long as you are within your legal right to be naked there, which is respect for the law, they should respect your rights.

Now I understand they may not respect your right to be naked. If that happens, just don't drop to their level, and walk away. Show them enough respect for their opinion and walk away. Do not let it affect you.

 

I can agree with that... For the most part i keep my social expressions towards other individuals either respectful or indifferent.. Though I can see how indifference might be considered disrespectful, as long as I am not going out of my way to be offensive or repressive I am quite confident/comfortable in my behavior..

 

Ok, what's the problem then? Just go out and get nekkid!

 

I think I'm going to have to take slightly smaller steps... The indecency law around here is a little constrictive for men because its specific to sexual organs (where woman can just "let the garden grow" and be significantly covered)...