Out of options, living independently (disabled in a wheelchair in the ghetto), I decided to take on the adventure of a fringe craigslist job. I am now an official member of "The Snuggle Buddies", www.snugglebuddies.com, an independent contract job for "Alternative Therapists", who get paid per hour for platonic cuddling and conversation. I've had people say it's just a cover for prostitution, and I"m sure some people take it that way, but I won't be taking any of those clients. The idea of therapeutically cuddling with someone going through a tough time is something I can get behind (pun-time!). Sure it's weird, but I'm a weird person, whose life experiences I think people can actually benefit from during sessions. I am always in physical pain, my mobility is limited, my people skills are strong, I can smile, sing, and smell nice. My expert skills. I can talk to people. I'm real, and people can be real around me.
Sex isn't everything, it's glamorized by society of disconnection, idealizing business as fast-paced switches: "this market, that market, this person, that person. me. another me." People don't get the time to be emotional, to relax, to connect to each-other and even to themselves. Thats where cuddle therapy is helpful. Just cuddling with an outsider, someone to talk to who won't give you grief, and with relaxing and caring touch give you an emotional boost to carry out your life in a difficult world.
I do not feel in danger. Sure clients are strangers, and that could mean trouble. I have my attendant with me during sessions to make sure no one tries anything. She is a female wrestler, and a professional dominatrix, so I'm not worried about getting taken advantage of. I do the work incall, meaning clients come to my apartment. I'm not worried about anyone stalking me, I live in the projects, my building is a scary place that no one wants to hang around for too long. It's really the ideal set-up, for a less than ideal living situation. You always got to make the best of what you've got, and for me, that's a lot of life to be shared.
>>> well said... you live your life the way you see fit , who is anyone to judge until they have lived in your boots... I mean shoes :) in my opinion a cuddle is one step above a hug , and we all need that somewhere along the line... not everyone has someone to cuddle with and to find someone willing to give their time to a stranger is awesome , so many need that in their lives... the talking , the cuddling... the smile all can make a big difference in someone's life , I wish you all the best with it... and most of all be safe , be careful of a client becoming too "attached", it can easily happen !!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe fact you could turn a negative into a positive (your neighborhood) shows you have an excellent head on your shoulders. I believe in you.
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