We're excited to share a recording of the Sex in Space podcast interview with Andrew Gurza and Heather Morrison, co-founders of Handi. Handi makes sex toys designed by and for disabled people. The mission behind Handi is that everyone should be able to ‘get off’. Listen in to hear about how Handi came to be, the hands on research behind Handi and how the bendable, flexible design of the Bump'n Joystick has revolutionized the accessibility of pleasure for all.
Show Notes:
[00:00:17] Introducing the Sex in Space podcast trio and their mission to create a space for discussing sex across all dimensions. [00:00:46] Interview introduction for Andrew Gurza, a queer, disabled porn star who creates sex toys for people with limited hand movement. [00:01:15] Discussion on consent and disabled people's experiences with touch.
[00:01:46] Transition to Andrew Gurza's interview.
[00:03:12] Lack of recognition of disabled people as sexual beings and the need for education in this area. [00:04:00] Discussion on the struggle for disabled people to achieve sexual pleasure on their own.
[00:04:30] Lack of products specifically designed for disabled people's sexual needs.
[00:05:00] Introduction to Handi, a company creating sex toys for disabled people.
[00:05:34] Andrew and Heather Morrison, co-founders of Handi, discuss their journey and the origin of the company.
[00:06:28] Heather and Andrew's frank conversation that led to the idea of creating sex toys for disabled individuals.
[00:08:00] Handi's name as a playful way to reclaim the term "handicap" and address the needs of people with hand limitations. [00:08:59] The decision to write a book to share experiences and educate about sex and disability.
[00:10:00] Launching Handi as a brand during International Masturbation Month.
[00:10:39] The process of creating the book "Sex and Disability."
[00:11:00] Andrew Gurza's Journey as a Disability Consultant
[00:11:00] Andrew's transition from seeking a traditional job to becoming a freelance disability consultant. [
00:11:23] Andrew's early work as a disability speaker, writing articles on queerness and disability. [00:11:57] The impact of Andrew's photo shoot for a gay magazine on challenging perceptions of disability and sexuality.
[00:13:00] The relevance of disability stories to both disabled and non-disabled individuals.
[00:14:00] Andrew's experience reading the book "Sex and Disability" and the roller coaster of emotions it evokes. [00:15:00] The relatability of the book's stories despite different disabilities.
[00:15:39] The impact of the book on changing perceptions and educating about disability and ableism.
[00:16:00] Discussion on Differences and Similarities:
[00:16:00] The duality of being the same and different when it comes to sexuality.
[00:16:31] The importance of sharing experiences and representation in breaking down societal barriers.
[00:17:13] The bravery and confidence gained through representing disability and sexuality in media.
[00:18:00] Andrew's journey as a freelance disability consultant and speaker.
[00:18:29] The global impact of Andrew's work in challenging perceptions of disability and sexuality.
[00:19:00] Handi's Sex Toy Development Process
[00:19:00] Collaboration with University to validate the need and create concepts.
[00:19:48] Testing concepts with occupational therapists and the disabled community globally.
[00:20:59] Sending 10 prototypes to testers for feedback and collaborative refining of the design.
[00:21:18] Continuation of testing and validation as they move toward the launch.
[00:31:19] Heather and Andrew discuss the huggable nature of their sex toy design, which allows for increased intimacy and positive emotional responses in both disabled and able-bodied individuals. They talk about how it breaks the negative cycle of anxiety for people with hand limitations, preventing worries about fatigue or inability to orgasm.
[00:31:48] They mention that some users found comfort in the huggable nature of the toy, which helped them overcome anxiety and negative thoughts during self-pleasure.
[00:32:22] Heather shares that the design process debunked their assumption about gender preferences in sex toys. They realized that men who thought they didn't like vibration hadn't actually tried it and found that vibration could be a better option for those unable to get an erection.
[00:33:00] They discuss the importance of involving disabled people in the design process and how this approach led to unexpected positive consequences in their design.
[00:36:23] Heather talks about their plans to have a range of different toys and products to cater to various needs in the market. [00:39:00] Andrew explains how their design provides a comforting, emotional experience beyond just sexual pleasure, leading to a deeper understanding of pleasure-based sexuality.
[00:43:41] They discuss other companies in the market working on sex toys for disabled individuals, such as Hot Octopus
[00:45:11] Andrew shares the importance of communication, consent, and sense education for disabled individuals, especially when dealing with doctors, medical professionals, and caregivers.
[00:48:00] They discuss the lack of education around sexuality for disabled teenagers and the need for parents to have open and honest conversations with their children about their bodies and desires.
[00:53:00] They emphasize the significance of communication, especially for disabled individuals who need to navigate intimate conversations about their bodies and needs.
[00:57:13] The interview concludes with thanks and recommendations to check out Handi's website, book, and podcast.
Check them out on social media:
AndrewGurza_ on all social channels:
Websites:
AndrewGurza.com
https://getbumpn.com/ to find the Bump'n Joystick and their Book:The Bump'n Book of Love, Lust & Disability )
Andrew also has award winning podcast of his own, called Disability After Dark that won gold in the Outstanding Adult Series at the Canadian Podcast Awards.
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/episode-242-acknowledging-disability-is-like-opening/id1151890990?i=1000521820212
Make sure to check out Sex in Space on all major podcast platforms. For more information about Sex in Space visit www.sexinspace.com
Reminder to check out our book, available at sexinspace.com/book or simply search for "The Organ Education Forgot" on Amazon.
