GAZELLE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2018 | Page 47

LOVE & ROMANCE engaging in life doesn’t have to be all or nothing. There’s always a middle ground for everyone. “My passion is to provide quality therapy to couples and families,” Sidney said, “and that includes being sensitive to diversity of all kinds.” While her training focused on diversity that included gender, sexual preference and ethnicity, she realized that her textbooks devoted only about a paragraph to disabilities. “We are told that during therapy we should always be sensitive and aware of their personal needs, so being in tune with a disability is very important,” she said. In handling her own disability, Sidney said her stubbornness has often kept her going even when she is exhausted or in pain. At home, she sometimes uses crutches to take a break from the prosthetic. “And when I go anywhere, I worry about parking, and things like whether or not the sidewalk is sloped. How far is it? – you have to think ahead about everything,” she said. Sidney and her husband, Kevin, were married three years ago. They were introduced by a friend, and even though Sidney was skeptical, Kevin told her that for him, it was love at first sight. “I was cautious – wanting to see where he was coming from – but my disability has never entered into our relationship at all,” she said. Unfortunately, she said, some people are afraid to put themselves out there to date – and are reluctant to even give another person (or themselves) a chance. That’s where Sidney’s workshops might come in handy. She also holds workshops for all couples (the next one is Saturday, Feb. 10), designed for all stages of a relationship, discussing intimacy, romance, strengthening the relationship, communication skills, hopes and family life. For more information on Sidney and her practice, visit tiffanysidneytherapy.com. SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY 45