Enabling Love's first successful match

This is a transcript from our recent interview we did with our first successful match.

All rights to Enabling Love. If you wish to do an interview or require more information please contact us at enquiries@enablinglove.nz in the first instance.

This is the official interview transcript between Lucas, Beatrice and Joshua.

Names & Ages: Lucas (33) & Beatrice (23)
What type of disability do you have? Beatrice (learning disability and eccentric), Lucas (able to live independently but has challenges with reading and spelling)
Have you had a girlfriend/boyfriend before, or is this your first relationship? Beatrice has had boyfriends before. “I was about 13/14 when I had my first boyfriend and had a couple of other relationships since then and having a break until Lucas came on”. Lucas – this is his first girlfriend. “Previously I didn’t have confidence to ask others out.I followed Beatrice around and then sat down and swapped cell phone numbers with each other.” Beatrice said “he saw a young flower when he looked at me.”
Prior to Enabling Love what difficulties did you face when it came to meeting new people and dating? Beatrice - often described as quiet and shy initially following natural desires but now I am ready for a more serious relationship, also a bit of homebody; Lucas - lack of confidence at times in asking girls out
Why did you decide to use Enabling Love? Beatrice: A programme on TV called the Undateables gave me some ideas and I wanted to give something like that a go and then heard about Enabling Love and decided to go to the launch. One of my vocational Mangers really encouraged me to go.
Lucas: Thought I would it a go and when you got there you felt it was a safe environment
How helpful was Enabling Love at helping you meet a partner? Beatrice: Very helpful because it improved my social opportunities to meet people and I had been on my own for a quite a while. Very few social opportunities and I felt a lack of confidence.
Lucas: Very helpful in meeting Beatrice – felt like it was ok to follow her around because it was about relationships and a sense of acceptance and trust in the room.
What was it that attracted you to one another? Lucas: going out in the weekend, equal relationship, get on well, good friends, pretty, friendly.
Beatrice: good sense of humour, funny, cool guy to hang out with and caring and safe with him.
Did you have nerves on your first date? Beatrice: yes first date in a long time and Dad helped to calm you down
Lucas: can’t remember
What did you do for your first date? Went out to lunch to Burger King and to the mall
Has your confidence grown since meeting each other? Yes - a lot more relaxed.
What do you like to do in your spare time together? Go out for lunch, play bowls, movies, Beachlines Speedway, McDonalds, speed dating to support Enabling Love
Where do you guys see yourself as a couple in the future? Early days will wait and see, step by step, wise not to rush
What does Enabling Love need to do to support you as a couple? Keep running social events – like the bigger group and enjoy meeting others, helps me not be isolated and also because good for independence
How do you think dating needs to be addressed when it comes to people with disabilities in New Zealand and around the world? People need to have confidence and have a positive outlook – you can do it!!!