Best Dating Apps for Wheelchair Singles
Talk about total shit timing. My relationship ended right before the quarantine. We didn’t officially live together so here I am spending hours upon hours alone, staring at the lizard who lives outside of my window (dude has mad pushup skills and his name is Larry). Anyone who knows me knows I’m a major extrovert who thrives off human interaction…this is torture.
If the breakup happened Pre-Pandemic I’d be hitting the hottest places with my girlfriends, chasing my real estate dreams, volunteering, traveling, and doing my best to work out the breakup crazies. None of that is happening. Instead, I’m a caged bird slowly losing my song. I feel like everyone else, trapped and sad. I threw myself into my artwork and I find some comfort there, but my mind is craving in-person interaction. Zoom meetings help, but I need new experiences and new people.
So of course, I do the next best thing…sign up for a dating app, right? HA! Don’t judge, I’m just window shopping. I’m forced to anyway, we’re all locked down and I’m bored out of my mind. This time it’s different, last time I was still in my late 20’s, but now I’m creeping up on 35. Last time I was angry when I divorced, this time I’m sad it didn’t work but knew it was time. I have no ill feelings and that has me leaving this relationship in a much more emotionally stable place.
This time I’m much more established financially, which I’m grateful but also concerns me that it attracts the wrong type. I’m an adult now, dating a man that is 42 isn’t unreasonable, but dating one that’s 22 is.
In the past, I’ve stayed tried and true to Tinder. This time I thought I’d try some of the other apps and share my experience. Keep in mind I’m a 34-year-old quadriplegic, living in the Phoenix area with lots of sass and just a little class, so results vary. I started with Tinder, my tried and true. Tinder always delivers for me. I throw up some pictures (always at least 2 full body with chair included), some clever little bio and the matches roll in…I love it. I get to be funny and flirty over messages, it’s good practice for when we aren’t locked down. I like being chased and Tinder provides that. Just know lots of people are on there for hookups, but there are some really looking for more. I deleted it because I’m not ready to be getting all crazy just yet.
A friend suggested Bumble. I hated it. The girls have to message the guys on there, call me old fashioned but I wasn’t into it. Lots of women love it because it gives them control, guys can’t message you until you message them even if you match. The guys seem to be higher quality than Tinder and it’s a mixture of looking for casual encounters or relationships, leaning more towards looking for a relationship. I actually connected with a guy on there I liked a LOT, and it scared the shit out of me so I stopped that.
Then I was suggested Hinge. I really like the setup of Hinge, instead of a bio you choose three questions to answer and you can upload videos too. The quality of men is pretty high, but know most of them are looking for something serious in my age range (29-42). There’s an option that you’re not set in stone on your age range, other ages can like/match with you…what do I get? Men in their EARLY 20’S! WTH?! Do I give off a cougar vibe? For the record, I’m not looking for cubs.
Lastly, I was so damn curious about Facebook Dating so I gave it a shot. I was on there for like 3 days, it was overwhelming. Lots of people and likes, but the quality was ehh. It was also weird for me to see mutual friends, for me that was TMI. It seems like a few of those guys are foreign guys looking for a 90-Day-Fiance opportunity. However, there were a lot of options that’s for sure and some good catches. I just wasn’t into it.
I have yet to try some of the others, but I may give them a shot and do a follow-up. What I have learned is that being positive, funny, and honest as to who you are is a great way to attract what you’re looking for. I’m very direct about the wheelchair and that is appreciated. All-in-all I’m just not ready. I’m glad I window shopped and had some fun messaging, but I just need to focus on myself. Trust me though, when I’m on the prowl you’ll hear about it.