Chapter 15 — Grabbing the Helpine
In 2003, when SPOD closed down, I took over the their helpline, by getting the number transferred to my phone. I answer helpline calls from 11am-7pm weekdays.
Feeling a bit isolated, I started the Sexual Health and Disability Alliance for other disability helpline operators. SHADA slowly grew to take in all kinds of health professional who cared about the sexual needs of their clients.
Some callers in recent years have preferred emails to the telephone which is sometimes OK, sometimes very difficult. It took 55 emails to and forward to support a disabled lesbian reach orgasm!
I have another sex therapist who works with disabled people, Sue Newsome, who answers the calls whilst I am abroad.