Is this a squick?
I am in the closing chapters of a fantasy stroy where the main protagnist becomes paralysed (but not insensate) in both legs. He remains fully sexually functional but obviously this has some impact on types of sexual activities. I was just looking at this and it occurs to me the average romance reader may have expected me to just "make him better" rather than have several sex scenes as he is and have him become reconciled with his disability. But I can only think of one (non-erotic) romance with a paralysed hero. Is this likey to be a case of 'too much information'. I still think my disabled hero is sexy as hell, but then--I would.

I, for one, would like to read it as you have it. I think there is room in romance (erotic or non) for nontraditional hero’s. If he’s still sexy to the heroine, and to you, you’re probably fine. I vote- No squick.

I vote no squick too. He sounds like my sorta hero. I'd read about him!

Yes, me too. I know what you mean about readers expecting him to be cured, and I suspect I would feel like that too. But it would be braver (and different) to keep it as you have.

Not squick at all. One does not have to be a physically perfect specimen to have or to enjoy sex. Personally, I think the world needs more stories about characters who are partially paralysed, amputees, blind, post-mastectomy, whatever, who Do It All. Physical impairments don't always get better in real life just because we'd like them to; fiction should mirror real life.

I don't see anything wrong with it. I think romance should have more non-traditional heroes, heroines, and situations.

^ I agree

I've actually read this handled very well in literary fiction: I think it's largely not a squick. It's a personal squick for me, but only because it reminds me of a former lover. I don't think that's what you're looking for. (I also have a pompous artist squick, for example)

I'm not squicked by that.

I'd rather he didn't suddenly get better in an unbelieveable, 'with one bound he was cured' kind of way. ;) IMHO it's more interesting (and probably more true to life) to have him stay disabled but learn to cope with it.

Hey Barbara, I agree with the posts so far. Making him get better might be a bit soap opera-ish. LOL.

It would actually rather make me want to read it instead of being a squick.

Go for it
I say leave him a hero, as a disabled person myself I will definetly read it. It seems to me there are not too many stories with disabled heros etc in them. My legs might not move to well but I sure can still please my man and myself. Reading this post today is kinda of ironic for me, I just learned Friday they found a new tumor behind my knee so in I will be going for surgery. Don't worry it gives me time to think. Last time I had surgery I finished two novels and got my first story published. To me disabled does not mean inflicted, it means I have a little more difficulty than others, but I live, I function, and I love. Hey making love in a wheel chair is something else. Reclining chairs, pillow braces, etc. can put a new twist on loving. Of course don't forget choclates and strawberries aftewards, they lengthen the romatic feelings.

Maybe there is a story idea there, Vampiella? The one romance I could think of was "A Man Like Mac" with the hero in a wheelchair -- probably one of the better heterosexual romances I have read. My story is in a magical/fantasy setting but I modelled the effects roughly on nerve damage such as can be caused by Polio. I have had a bit of a slump in writing that story but must get back to it. I already have an idea for a sequel which, if I get it finished, would be my first novel length male-female romance.