Dante Bailey: Sharing his experience with cerebral palsy in dating and sports

Dante Bailey is a 30 year old African American Male with cerebral palsy which affects his muscles and speech. With this interview he discusses inclusion when it comes to dating and sports with a disability, helping bring awareness to his everyday life.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your story. (name, disability, age, nationality)   

My name is Dante Bailey. I’m a 30-year-old African American Male. I have cerebral palsy which affects my muscles and speech. I carry around a rag to wipe my mouth because I drool on myself sometimes but so what.

2. What do you think are your greatest characteristics? 

I am a loving, caring person with a big heart and a swagger out of this universe

3. What’s the biggest challenge that you’ve faced?

My biggest challenge is being accepted based on my disability.

5. What’s your dream?

To travel the world. 

6. How do you motivate yourself?

Listening to Gospel music.

7. What's your inspiration?

My mom. She taught me to not give up and keep going despite my disability.

8. What are your current goals (short-term and long-term)?

My short-term goal is to keep working and making money. My long-term goal is to live on my own, start a family.

9. What are you most thankful for in life?

I am a young healthy man. I am also thankful for my family, friends, and having a job.

10. What is the disability community like in your area?

They are very helpful if I and other people with disabilities have any issues.

However, I feel like most places aren’t handicapped accessible.

12. How do you think people can help promote it?

 Listen to us and help to make a change.

13. How do you want people to perceive you?

I am normal like everyone else despite having a disability.

14. What is the best way for people to educate themselves on the disability community?

By asking questions and don’t assume stuff.

15. How do you think being a member of the disabled community has affected your job opportunities?

Most jobs won’t hire me based on my disability and my accommodations for the job. I am thankful that the job I have now welcome me with open arms.

16. How do you think society views dating and sex when it comes to people with disabilities?

 When it comes to sex people act like they going to hurt or it’s wrong to have sex with a person with a disability. I feel like when it comes to dating people are scared to ask us to do anything because they don’t know what we are capable of.

17. How has that affected you?

 I have never been out on a date but during the quarantine, I had a virtual date on Valentine’s day with this amazing woman *name removed*. She was very patient with me. She wanted me to use my voice instead of typing everything. 

18. How do you think society views sports when it comes to people with disabilities? How has that affected you?

 I feel like it’s not a wide range of sports and I don’t like the special Olympics is not open to all disabilities.

19. What is something you wish would change?

How people treat and interact with people with disabilities. 

20. How do you think we could make this happen?

Teach classes.

21. What is your advice for others in the disability community?

Be yourself and never give up.

22. Any contact information you want to share (social media, project websites, blog, etc.)

Instagram- d_wheelz_b_fly

Facebook- Dante Bailey