Melanie Hawkes, a quadriplegic woman who has been in a wheelchair since childhood, recently shared her story of hiring a male escort to lose her virginity at the age of 43.
Hawkes suffers from transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord, and had long been afraid of her first sexual encounter. However, with the encouragement of her caregiver, she decided to look for an escort online, where she found Chayse. 
Despite her nerves, Hawkes booked a two-hour session with Chayse and was relieved to find him respectful of her condition.
She found the experience to be empowering, as she was in control and knew that Chayse would stop if she felt uncomfortable. The encounter also helped her gain a new perspective and boosted her confidence.
While the experience wasn’t cheap, with Chayse charging around $265 an hour, Hawkes has continued to see him on a regular basis.
However, she is now browsing dating apps in the hopes of finding a man to romance, stating that the experience has made her happier than ever before and that her confidence has grown tremendously.
Hawkes’ story highlights the importance of sexual empowerment for people with disabilities and challenges societal stigmas surrounding sex and disability.
