Giraffes, Neopronouns, and the Dog Magnet Myth

In this high-energy installment of our "Dating with Disabilities" miniseries, co-host Keith Murfee-Deconcini and guest Liv Mamone take over the mic while Andrew Gerza takes a well-deserved week off. What follows is a rollercoaster conversation that connects the dots between physical disability emblems, the ethics of polyamory as an "access tool," and the frustrating societal assumptions placed on disabled men and their pets. n this episode, we’re peeling back the layers on:The Giraffe Emblem: Liv explains why the giraffe is her personal Cerebral Palsy mascot, specifically the hilarious (and relatable) struggle of a giraffe trying to drink water vs. a forearm crutch user trying to pick something up.Polyamory as an Access Tool: Liv opens up about her journey with polyamory, not just as a romantic preference, but as a way to manage chronic fatigue and pain. She discusses how having a "team effort" in a relationship helps dismantle the pressure to be a "perfect" partner.The "Chick Magnet" Myth: Keith addresses the offensive assumption that he used his late, beloved dog, Pepper, as a tool to get dates. He and Liv dive into the psychology of why society struggles to see pure, platonic bonds between men and animals without sexualizing the intent.Crip Time & Poetry: Celebrating the release of Liv’s new book, Fire in the Waiting Room, and discussing why "Crip Time" means a book launch can happen three months late and still be perfectly on schedule.The Small World of Queer/Disabled Dating: Why running into your ex at a comic convention is a universal experience and how Keith’s "superpower" is immediately forgetting the names of people who no longer serve his peace.Instructive Resource: Understanding Internalized AbleismDuring the episode, Keith and Liv touched on how "Internalized Ableism" often dictates how we feel we "should" show up in relationships. Plus: A look into the radical world of neopronouns for pets, the "Capricorn astrology" of over-extending yourself, and a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Pepper.Ready to join the conversation?Check out Liv’s poetry at GameOverbooks.com.Subscribe so you don't miss next week's episode when Andrew returns to the hot seat! Follow us on all social media platforms @disabilityempowermentnow for exclusive content from the podcast.