How a Sexual Companion Transformed One Woman's Confidence and Self-Worth

Barbara Voigt, a woman who uses an electric wheelchair, has found new confidence through meetings with a professional sexual companion. She pays €200 per evening for intimacy and affection, describing the experience as life-changing. Though she prefers to keep her real name private, she openly shares how these encounters have helped her feel valued and empowered.

Voigt's daily life offers few opportunities for connection, particularly with men. She often felt invisible, struggling with fears around intimacy. Her apartment, equipped with electric lifts and medical aids, reinforces a clinical atmosphere—far from the warmth she now seeks.

For the past year, she has met with Thomas Aeffner, a trained sexual companion. He brings supplies like oral sex wipes, condoms, and battery-powered candles to create a comfortable setting. Voigt describes their sessions as moments where she feels like a 'beautiful woman who is liked,' a stark contrast to her earlier insecurities.

Aeffner sees his work as a way to support disabled clients in exercising their right to sexual self-determination. Beyond physical contact, he believes his services boost self-esteem and psychological well-being. Operating legally under Germany's 2017 Prostitution Protection Act, he is part of a small but growing group of fewer than 100 professionals in this field. The law requires registration, health checks, and strict hygiene standards, reflecting a slow shift toward acceptance of non-penetrative intimacy services for people with disabilities.

Voigt views the €200 fee as an investment in her self-worth. The meetings have not only eased her past anxieties but also given her a sense of control over her own body and desires.

Voigt's story highlights a rarely discussed aspect of disability and intimacy. While societal taboos persist, her experiences show how professional companionship can provide both emotional and physical fulfilment. The legal framework in Germany ensures these services remain regulated, though their availability—and acceptance—remains limited.