TIL^[1]

Attraction to disability is a sexualised interest in the appearance, sensation and experience of disability.[1] It may extend from normal human sexuality into a type of sexual fetishism. Sexologically, the pathological end of the attraction tends to be classified as a paraphilia.[2][3] Other researchers have approached it as a form of identity disorder.[4][5][6] The most common interests are towards amputations, prosthesis, and crutches.[1] As a sexual fetish, attraction to disability is known as devotism, and those with the fetish are known as devotees.[1]

Sapiosexuality is a type of sexuality that involves being more attracted by the contents of a person’s mind than by the appearance of their body. To feel sexually attracted to another person, a sapiosexual person must first feel intellectually stimulated. Intelligence is often the first quality a person notices in a potential partner.

The word sapiosexual originated from the Latin root word ‘sapien,’ which means wise, and ‘sexualis,’ which means sexual. Sapiosexual is still a fairly new word, as Merriam-Webster’s first known use of the word was in 2004. According to research, between 1% and 8% of people aged 18 to 35 may be sapiosexuals.

Anyone can identify as sapiosexual, including both heterosexuals and LGBTQIA+ people. This means that people who identify as sapiosexual may be straight, gay, asexual, or another identity.^[2]