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February 6, 2016

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Assistants help boost disableds鈥 lust for life

Despite a crippling disease that confined him to a wheelchair five years ago, Tomas Pik has not lost his longing for physical pleasure.

The 26-year-old Czech used to rely on prostitutes to meet his sexual needs, but says many refused after they learn he has the rare neurological disease of Friedreich鈥檚 ataxia, which he first experienced a decade ago.

鈥淏eing handicapped, you don鈥檛 have much self-confidence, and when a prostitute turns you down, it鈥檚 quite the blow,鈥 he said in the Czech capital Prague.

But now there is a new paid service on offer for the country鈥檚 disabled, one without the risk of rejection.

Sexual assistants meet carnal needs, but they are also trained to help the handicapped discover and manage their sexuality.

The service is already on offer in the Netherlands, an early pioneer in the practice, Denmark, France, Germany and Switzerland.

Lucie Sidova, head of the Rozkos bez rizika (Risk-free Pleasure) organization helping women in the sex industry, said it took about two years to get the service up and running using know-how provided by Swiss partners.

She said that, like prostitution, the service is not a crime under Czech law.

Pik, a bespectacled second-hand charity shop worker, runs a Facebook page promoting sexual assistance and never misses an opportunity to spread the word.

He says that the specially trained sex assistants are not out to retain clients, but to ultimately help them find a lover of their own.

鈥淭he task of a sexual assistant is to teach the disabled how to engage with their sexuality and sex toys and the right way to masturbate because no one else will talk to them about that kind of thing,鈥 he said.

鈥淭he sexuality of disabled people is a big taboo here,鈥 he added.

Iva, an assistant who calls herself a sex teacher, said: 鈥淚 only offer touches, tantric massages, hugs, kisses, nudity.

鈥淒isabled people are often full of pent-up sexual energy,鈥 she said.

鈥淲hen they release that sexual energy, and it鈥檚 the strongest energy you鈥檒l find in the body, their mood improves and they are easier to handle.鈥


 

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