A man with cerebral palsy has been told he is ‘too good looking’ to be disabled by strangers.
Joe Bird, 28, from Solihull, West Mids, has chiselled abs which seem to be a hit with the ladies but says some are ‘put off’ by his disability.
Joe, who works as a receptionist, isn’t disheartened by the comments however.
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As a child, doctors suggested he will never walk but now he is living independently and works our six times per week.
He is sharing his story to normalise ‘inter-able relationships’ and break stereotypes.
Joe said: “Women have messaged me online saying ‘I’d be attracted to you if you weren’t disabled’ or said I am ‘too good looking’ to be disabled.
“Initially, it didn’t make me feel good but I decided to challenge the stereotype.
“Society says disabled people aren’t attractive but I am trying to show that I can still be attractive with cerebral palsy.
“I have embraced my disability and focussed on leading an independent life.
“I don’t have any trouble dating as I am confident and own who I am.
“Women are attracted to my confidence as I talk about my disability from the get-go.
“I am trying to prove to the world that being different doesn’t make you any less attractive.”
But it hasn’t always been this way for Joe, who used to hide his disability online.
He said: “In school, girls wouldn’t even speak to me because I was disabled.
“I used to post photos from the waist up but now I am proud of who I am.
“My disability is noticeable but it doesn’t stop me from pushing boundaries.
“I am lucky to be alive as I almost died at birth as I was born three months premature.
“Doctors didn’t think I would be able to walk but now I can run, jump, carry heavy items and walk backwards.
“I have beat everyone's low expectations and inspired other disabled people too.
“Everyone has limitations but if you feel like you can improve and build upon what you have - and it is going to make it happy then do it.
“I haven’t been deterred by people who are negative as you can’t impress everyone but I hope to challenge stereotypes.
“I get my content ideas for social media from trolls.
"I aim to inspire people to step out of their comfort zones and to be kind."
