- Marmoush double denies Bayern outright Bundesliga top spot
- Rallies worldwide call for Gaza, Lebanon ceasefire
- New 'Joker' film, a dark musical, tops N.America box office
- Man Utd stalemate keeps Ten Hag in danger, Spurs rocked by Brighton
- Drowned by hurricane, remote N.Carolina towns now struggle for water
- Vikings hold off Jets in London to stay unbeaten
- Ahead of attack anniversary, Netanyahu says: 'We will win'
- West Indies cruise to T20 World Cup win over Scotland
- Man Utd fire another blank in Aston Villa stalemate
- Lewandowski treble powers Liga leaders Barca to Alaves victory
- Russian activist killed on front line in Ukraine
- Openda strike briefly sends Leipzig top of Bundesliga
- Goal-shy Man Utd have to 'step up', says Ten Hag
- India bowl out Bangladesh for 127 in T20 opener
- Madueke rescues Chelsea in draw with 10-man Forest
- Beckett's belief rewarded as Bluestocking storms to Arc glory
- Trump on the stump, Harris hits airwaves in razor-edge US election
- Flash flooding kills three in northern Thailand
- Kaur leads India to victory over Pakistan in Women's T20 World Cup
- Juventus held by Cagliari after late penalty drama
- In France's Marseille, teen 'stabbed 50 times' then burned alive
- Ruthless Gauff beats Muchova in straight sets to win China Open
- India restrict Pakistan to 105-8 in Women's T20 World Cup
- England target repeat of Pakistan Test whitewash
- Penrith Panthers win fourth straight NRL title after downing Storm
- Weary Sinner happy for day off after battling into Shanghai last 16
- Pakistan's Masood warns England still a force without Stokes
- Madrid's Carvajal to miss several months after serious knee injury
- Two elephants die in flash flooding in northern Thailand
- Sabalenka targets world number one and Wuhan hat-trick
- Tunisia votes with Saied set for re-election
- Bagnaia sets 'example' with Japan MotoGP win to cut gap on Martin
- Intense Israeli bombing rocks Beirut ahead of war anniversary
- Mozambique vote: no suspense but some disillusion
- Austrian rapper channels anti-racist rage in Romani hip-hop songs
- Ohtani magic powers Dodgers over Padres in MLB playoff thriller
- Five of the best: Pakistan-England Test thrillers
- Man sets arm on fire as marches across US mark Gaza war anniversary
- Vietnam's young coffee entrepreneurs brew up a revolution
- Trump rallies at site of failed assassination: 'Never quit'
- Too hot by day, Dubai's floodlit beaches are packed at night
- Is music finally reckoning with #MeToo?
- Fans hail Trump's 'guts' as he returns to site of rally shooting
- Lebanon state media says Israeli strikes hit south Beirut
- Miami on track for MLS record points after win in Toronto
- Monaco take top spot in Ligue 1 with win at Rennes
- Madrid beat Villarreal to level Liga leaders Barca
- Thuram treble fires Inter past Torino and up to second
- 'Fight': defiant Trump jets in to site of rally shooting
- Mexico City's new mayor sworn in with pledges on water, housing
Let's talk about sex: Paralympian breaks taboo
Athletes at Beijing's Winter Paralympics are not just breaking down sports barriers on the slopes and ice -- Argentinian skier Enrique Plantey is pushing for a bedroom revolution.
The 39-year-old and his non-disabled Spanish girlfriend Triana Serfaty have published a practical guidebook called "Sexistimos" -- a nod to the Spanish term for "we exist" -- about disability and sex.
They hope it sparks an open conversation on what is a difficult topic for many.
"People are afraid to talk openly about it," Plantey, who is a paraplegic, told AFP.
"The main problem is that many people with a disability think they can no longer have a sex life and give pleasure, and this is not the case," added Plantey, who came fourth in the giant slalom alpine skiing sitting category.
Some people living with disabilities experience anxiety about sex -- such as whether a partner will find them attractive, pain issues, concerns about fertility and a lack of confidence.
For some there's also worries about logistical issues such as getting from a wheelchair into a bed.
Society often considers people with physical or intellectual disabilities as "non-sexual" -- many live in isolation and don't have long-term romantic partners, according to Disabled World, an independent organisation that provides health resources.
- Signs of change -
But there are signs that attitudes are changing. The issue broke new ground when Hollywood actress Helen Hunt starred in 2012 film The Sessions, about a polio survivor's quest to lose his virginity with the help of a sex surrogate.
Dating websites specifically for people with disabilities are also helping many find romance.
Plantey, a three-time Paralympian, has used a wheelchair since sustaining a spinal cord injury as an 11-year-old.
Growing up he lamented a lack of information and resources about how to have a healthy sex life as a young man using a wheelchair.
He uses Viagra but does not have sensations below his waist.
Nevertheless, he said it was possible to "find sources of pleasure in all parts of the body, not just the genitals".
- Open conversation -
Serfaty said it was important couples try to communicate honestly about their practical needs and desires, without fear, judgement or embarrassment.
"This information exists. The problem is that it is often not disseminated," said the 29-year-old.
Some medical professionals were giving people with disabilities incorrect information about sex function, Serfaty noted.
"His doctor had told him he couldn't have sex," she said.
"But since he got to know his body, he realised that wasn't true. You have to see for yourself what you're capable of. No one can decide for you."
The couple have turned to tantric sex techniques and their book and corresponding Instagram account draws on their personal experiences.
Argentina's flagbearer said the couple's efforts to promote the topic of sex and disabilities was paying off -- generating a lot of interest in the Athletes' Village in Beijing.
"Many in the Paralympic village come to me to talk about sex and ask questions," Plantey said.
"Just the other day, someone -- I won't say who -- came to find me, in front of my room, to ask me for Viagra," he laughed.
J.V.Jacinto--PC