Paddy Smyth was the best part of First Dates Ireland last night, as the Snapchat star found himself on a blind date with a guy called David.
The 28-year-old has gained a huge following on Snapchat (@paddyysmyth) over the past two years using the hashtag #mydisabledlife, as he documents his life dealing with Cerebral Palsy in his legs and walking with crutches full time – and last night he appeared on First Dates looking for love.
After the episode aired last night, Paddy revealed to Goss.ie what REALLY happened between him and David after the show, and how he found the whole experience.
“I was actually quite reluctant to do it at first but my friends pushed me, and then I thought – as I talk about dating on my Snapchat a lot and Tinder, what better way to try and shed a light on this issue of finding people attractive with a disability than to go on First Dates?” he said.
“I had a really fab date and did really feel something with David on the date. He made me feel at ease and I didn’t feel a pressure to be ‘A funny disabled gay’ or to cloak my insecurities with humour.
“On the date I thought he felt something too and I want to stress he is a lovely guy. But when we went out after the date to the George. I really felt I was more an inspiration to him rather than he found me hot, which made me feel a bit awkward,” Paddy told Goss.ie.
As an avid Snapchatter, Paddy showcases all aspects of his life, and calls his followers #mydisablers in a bid to ‘disable’ the stigma around having a disability.
“It’s great to be dubbed an inspiring person and I’m so grateful and humbled people think that.
“But, I want someone who will look past my disability and just see me as a normal guy and slag me  – not put me on a pedestal of inspiration because like anyone I’m flawed and I want to be loved for all my quirks not just because I’m inspiring
“We still talk and I would love to meet him again even as friends and get to know him and see if there is something real there – he lives in Cork though and I think right now we’re in different places in our lives,” he added.
