Touching Base Inc

Meet Ben

Beyond Barriers: How Intimacy Transformed Ben’s Life

Ben, 44, is a gay wheelchair user with limited mobility who had never experienced intimacy. Self-funded sessions with a male sex worker gave him safe exploration, confidence, and a sense of self.

It’s essential for some adults with disability to have support to experience sexual connection, dignity, and emotional wellbeing.

A thoughtful shot of a man in his 40s who uses a wheelchair, looking sad outside a building with steps leading up to a night club. There is a line of people waiting outside and walking up the steps.

Ben, 44, had never kissed another man, never experienced intimacy, never explored pleasure. As a wheelchair user, social opportunities for same sex companionship were very limited.

Through self-funded sessions with a male sex worker, Ben finally explored his sexuality safely and joyfully.

A close-up of two men laying in bed together, showing their shoulders and heads, facing each, other gently touching in warm, soft lighting.
Ben, a man in his forties is sitting in his wheelchair looking directly at the camera with a confident and genuine smile and a thumbs-up. In the background there is a park scene with a flower border and a bench.

This first experience changed everything. Ben discovered pleasure, confidence, and a sense of self he’d never known.

Without these supports, Ben would face isolation and reduced wellbeing. But NDIS policy exclusions meant he had to fund this crucial support himself.

Ben is in his wheelchair in a comfortable room, looking at an empty wallet with a concerned expression. There are a stack of printed documents on the table beside him.
A woman in a black suit and long dark hair is partially visible. She has an NDIS badge on her suit and is holding a card with the international blue symbol of a stylised person with disability in a wheelchair and the word inclusion crossed out in red text.

Ben’s story proves that sexual supports can transform quality of life but access remains inconsistent and often dependent on personal finances.

Click to expand image

A thoughtful shot of a man in his 40s who uses a wheelchair, looking sad outside a building with steps leading up to a night club. There is a line of people waiting outside and walking up the steps.
A thoughtful shot of a man in his 40s who uses a wheelchair, looking sad outside a building with steps leading up to a night club. There is a line of people waiting outside and walking up the steps.
A close-up of two men laying in bed together, showing their shoulders and heads, facing each, other gently touching in warm, soft lighting.
A close-up of two men laying in bed together, showing their shoulders and heads, facing each, other gently touching in warm, soft lighting.
Ben, a man in his forties is sitting in his wheelchair looking directly at the camera with a confident and genuine smile and a thumbs-up. In the background there is a park scene with a flower border and a bench.
Ben, a man in his forties is sitting in his wheelchair looking directly at the camera with a confident and genuine smile and a thumbs-up. In the background there is a park scene with a flower border and a bench.
Ben is in his wheelchair in a comfortable room, looking at an empty wallet with a concerned expression. There are a stack of printed documents on the table beside him.
Ben is in his wheelchair in a comfortable room, looking at an empty wallet with a concerned expression. There are a stack of printed documents on the table beside him.
A woman in a black suit and long dark hair is partially visible. She has an NDIS badge on her suit and is holding a card with the international blue symbol of a stylised person with disability in a wheelchair and the word inclusion crossed out in red text.
A woman in a black suit and long dark hair is partially visible. She has an NDIS badge on her suit and is holding a card with the international blue symbol of a stylised person with disability in a wheelchair and the word inclusion crossed out in red text.
A thoughtful shot of a man in his 40s who uses a wheelchair, looking sad outside a building with steps leading up to a night club. There is a line of people waiting outside and walking up the steps.
A close-up of two men laying in bed together, showing their shoulders and heads, facing each, other gently touching in warm, soft lighting.
Ben, a man in his forties is sitting in his wheelchair looking directly at the camera with a confident and genuine smile and a thumbs-up. In the background there is a park scene with a flower border and a bench.
Ben is in his wheelchair in a comfortable room, looking at an empty wallet with a concerned expression. There are a stack of printed documents on the table beside him.
A woman in a black suit and long dark hair is partially visible. She has an NDIS badge on her suit and is holding a card with the international blue symbol of a stylised person with disability in a wheelchair and the word inclusion crossed out in red text.

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