'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
Tuesday 21 October 2008
Kim Martin has never let her disability stand in the way of her ambitions, but her career choice as a prostitute has raised many eyebrows. More than 200 men used Kim’s personal services, and she made £24,000 in the six years she was a sex worker.
Mum-of-two Kim, who likes to show off her generous cleavage, says: “I’m proof that being in a wheelchair doesn’t mean you can’t do whatever you want – even if that means being paid to fulfil men’s sexual needs.”
Incredibly, Kim, 47, from Poole, Dorset, says she became a prostitute by accident after setting up her own massage business at the age of 40. Until then, she’d lived a relatively normal life, despite being confined to a wheelchair since a childhood operation went wrong. She had two children from her first marriage, and was married to her second husband, Colin*, 47. She worked as a radio controller for a taxi firm to supplement her disability benefits – before she began selling her body.
While Kim’s now given up having full sex with clients, she admits she did enjoy sleeping with men, and believes she was offering a useful service. She remains unrepentant over her career – even though her daughter Serena,* 25, now refuses to talk to her. “I’m hurt my daughter hates me,” says Kim. “She should be proud of me.”
Although Kim was born with spina bifida, a condition affecting the spinal cord, she was able-bodied until the age of nine, when an operation to straighten her back went wrong.
Kim says: “I tore around on my bike when I was young, but after the operation I lost the use of my legs and became depressed. “I spent five years in hospital, until I was 14. I was then virtually housebound for a few years, while most girls my age were out dating boys and enjoying life.”
Kim met her first husband, Patrick*, 48, at a friend’s house when she was just 20. They married a year later and had two children – Serena, and Simon, now 23. But the couple split in 1988 after growing apart, and she fell for friend Colin, a professional carer, in 1989. Happy in her work at the taxi firm, she stayed there for 16 years, but was eager for a change when she turned 40.
“I wanted to be my own boss,” says Kim. “I discovered I could earn good money as a masseuse, and I liked the idea of working from home.” After studying massage at her local college, Kim spent £65 on a second-hand massage table, which was low enough for her to reach from her wheelchair, and placed an advert in her local newsagents.
Within a week, she had her first booking – a £20 full-body massage. Kim says: “I was expecting the client to
be surprised that I was in a wheelchair, but he wasn’t bothered at all.
“Halfway through the massage, he asked if I offered ‘hand relief.’ He said if I didn’t, clients wouldn’t come back. I was so worried about my business failing that I did what he asked. But I couldn’t wait for it to be over.
“After he left, I was disgusted. I didn’t really think I’d done anything dirty, but I’d betrayed Colin. I knew I’d do it again
for the extra cash, though.”
Within weeks, Kim’s business flourished. Kim says: “I saw 20 clients a week and soon had more than 200 regulars, providing many with extras. Not one man walked away because I was in a wheelchair, but some never came back. I was pleased when others confessed they found it a turn-on.
“It wasn’t what I’d set out to do, but I was providing a service. There’s nothing immoral in helping people. “Colin did ask me if I was having sex with clients, so I confessed I’d been masturbating them. “He said it wasn’t a big deal as long as I didn’t sleep with them – he was glad of the extra money too.”
But in 2003, Kim had full sex with one of her regular clients, Dave Lelievre, 59, a design engineer and dad-of-two.
“By then my relationship with Colin had become stale,” says Kim. “He slept in the spare room and we were more like friends. Then I met Dave, who I was very attracted to physically. We really bonded while talking about our kids.
“When I told him I couldn’t afford a new wheelchair, he offered to give me the £1,000 to buy one if I paid in kind with sex. It was amazing and I didn’t feel at all guilty.”
Just weeks after sleeping with Dave, Kim joined an online escort agency offering sex for £60 an hour. “I’d already broken my promise to Colin, so I thought I might as well sleep with other men for the cash too,” explains Kim.
As well as having sex with Dave, Kim was soon meeting other men in local hotels. She always used contraception and told Colin she was out meeting friends. Kim says: “My clients came to me because of my disability, not in spite of it. Although I could easily hoist myself out of my wheelchair and on to the bed, many of my clients found it a turn-on to help me.
“I enjoyed the sex, and felt empowered and appreciated for the first time in my life. But as far as Colin and the children knew, I was still just a masseuse.”
Six months after Kim started sleeping with Dave, the pair realised they were in love. Kim says: “I had to come clean to Colin. I was amazed when he begged me not to leave, so I agreed to stay.”
But six months later, Kim realised she could no longer deny her feelings for Dave, and they moved into a flat together. Kim still runs her massage business and offers the occasional extra, but has stopped selling her body. She says: “Dave asked me to stop, as his jealousy got the better of him. I agreed because he fulfils all my sexual needs.”
Kim recently told her children about her past as a sex worker – after deciding to write a book about her xperiences. She adds: “Simon’s open-minded and has accepted it – but Serena says I am dead to her. I’m very hurt and hope she eventually comes round, but I’m angry she won’t let me explain.
“I did nothing wrong and have no reason to feel guilty. I can honestly say if she decided to be a prostitute, I’d give her my blessing.”
By Lisa Woollard
Kim’s autobiography, Born Naughty, is out now, priced £13.99, and she appears on Sex Addict And Proud, Virgin 1, 31 July, 9pm.
Posted by digitalsgirl
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
“I did nothing wrong and have no reason to feel guilty. (apart from the fact it is ILLEGAL)
I can honestly say if she decided to be a prostitute, I’d give her my blessing.” (what a caring parent, wanting STD's, being used, drug, abuse, and being murdered an option for her daughter!)
indeed the daughter is well rid, it goes to show there are irresponsible parent s and sluts in all walks of life
Posted 15/07/2008 19:20:35
Posted by kimmartin
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
Regards Comment number 1
Don't feel sorry for my daughter without knowing all the true facts. In actual fact my daughter first turned against me because I was unable to get up a very steep ramp at her wedding reception but I did make the actual wedding. There are things that she has done which I will not disclose but they are certainly things I have not wanted for her and I would never do.
Regards Comments number 2
Please look into it further as Prostitution itself is in actual fact not illegal, I never made the statement "I can honestly say if she decided to be a prostitute, I’d give her my blessing". I was misquoted.
Before we start judging and jumping on the bandwagon of how bad this may be lets ask ourselves are we entirely perfect. Can you imagine how you would feel after spending four of your teenage years in Hospital and then another house bound, sent home with not even a wheelchair? I was left to rot for months with gangrene, with the nurses just saying to me “Stop crying you are just being a baby!”.
Do you think you would want to make up for some lost time and start living life to the full? Unless you have experienced this how can you make such judgements?
We all have choices in life and although this might not be everybody’s cup of tea ask yourselves have you ever been judged and felt it was unfair when people have not known the full facts?
Kim Martin
Posted 17/07/2008 18:55:05
Posted by noreen curling
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
I FEEL THATS IT IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL TO MAKE CHOICES IN THIS LIFE .IF THIS IS YOUR CHOICE THEN THATS UP TO YOU .OTHER PEOPLE SHOULD MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS. AS THE SAYING GOES IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO. WHAT ABOUT THE MEN WHO WANT THESE EXTRAS , NOBODY SEEMS TO CONDEMN THEM ???
Posted 23/07/2008 18:40:24
Posted by tutti89
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
I say good for you Kim if this makes you feel forfilled, one day i am sure your daughter will forgive you it just hurts her for now. I have to say i think its not a particually knobal job but hey you only live once (i have done not such impressive things myself!) , and ever bodys different. If people dont like your story then they should have stopped reading it !! Hope all goes well for your future and you saved some of that well earnt money! go girl ;-)
Posted 11/08/2008 16:15:07
Posted by button
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
As my wifes carer it was not Kims work that she was interested in it was her amazing struggle and possitive outlook in dealing with her disability that led her to read the book. We have a 9 year old son and have no qualms about going to her book signing, does that make us Bad parents, I dont think so. Both my wife and i can see past the cleavage, she is beautiful inside and out and comes across as a very confident and caring lady. Having had to deal with the trials, ignorance, pain etc etc, that goes with disability. I know my wife has been given nothing but encouragement from from reading Kims book. Thankyou Morgan Chapman & Caroline Chapman
Posted 12/08/2008 20:50:27
Posted by norwichbird1989
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
i think it is rank if my mum did that i woulkd disown her to she would probably try and shag your bloke for a fiver
Posted 19/08/2008 11:11:33
Posted by swatts1970
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
Firstly I would like to say I too met Kim at one of her book signings.
Not only was she friendly, and seemed very understanding with a lot of time for those around her.
As the comments mentioned on here before she is a beautiful person, who could win you over just by her endearing nature.
I have had my fair share of problems, and after reading Kim’s book I took a sharp look at my life and figured it wasn’t half as bad as what Kim has had to suffer throughout hers.
Yet despite all the difficulties Kim has had thrown at her, she still manages to smile, and say to the world “Here I am think what you like”
Her attitude throughout her book was that of strength, which must have been very hard at times, and I for one admire her for that quality.
It must have taken a lot of courage to do some of the things Kim has achieved in her life and most of all for her to say to those reading about her “Accept me for what I am”.
Her job was just one small part of Kim’s life try reading the rest!
Try and look beyond that, if you have a problem with it.
I personally do not judge Kim for what she chose to do.
Nothing stopped me from being grateful to have met one courageous lady with a lot of drive and ambition I will never forget her story.
And regarding family problems she may have, well that’s not really any body else’s business is it?
Thanks again Kim for such an inspirational read.
Take care and keep smiling.
Susan x
Posted 19/08/2008 13:12:22
Posted by Paula1830
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
What a great rold model you turned out to be Mum!! Lovely!! NOT!!! You need to grow up and stop being so selfish saying that you are angry at your daughter for not letting you explain. What is there to explain you sell your body for money!! You r selfish "making up for lost time" i genuinly sorry that you had a troubled child hood but that is no reason to go around sleeping with every tom dick & harry for money!!! You are a mum and your children should come 1st no matter what you selfish woman!! Your daughter is well rid & I hope she sticks to her guns and does not end up like her sad selfish mother!!!
Posted 26/08/2008 17:25:30
Posted by Rose-e
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
she is depressed. she cant do much as she is unable to walk. most places dont allow people in wheelchairs to work for them
least she was making some money for her family and making sure her children have things they need.
she was making alot of money
so if it is for her children then i can see why she did it.
Posted 27/08/2008 11:05:05
Posted by lizzy1951
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
Well after reading all these comments I would just like to say I disagree with the lady who said she should always put her children first. I brought four of my children up all in the same way, treated none different to the other, and I have only two children who speak to me now as one decided to turn to drugs and drink, which I will add was not due to how she was brought up! And the other fell out with me after getting married to a man who took a dislike to me.
I would say I had brought my children up and put them first but it did not make any difference to how they are now.
I have not lived a life in the way Kim has but from what I gather on a comment she made previously her daughter turned on her before she was an escort???
The thing is none of us are perfect and neither are the kids we make, someone is the mother of a murderer or a thief or a liar or what ever they turn out to be. I for one can sympathise with how it feels to have your kids turn on you as I live it each and every day, and believe me its not always the parents fault.
My point here is do we know what has really happened between her and her daughter to judge.
I sure as hell would like to tell people who judge me on my relationship with my kids the truth on how it is, so prostitution or not I would give her a break and get back to looking after your own perfect family! Cos know one can say there children will not turn on them one day.
Funny really how this discussion has gone kiddie bound when I don’t think the article was intended that way.
Happy reading anyway.
Posted 27/08/2008 12:31:23
Posted by mizzblondies
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
you are disgusting and i think that sereana had every right not to talk to you. just incase you didn't already not being a prostitute is bloody illegal.
Posted 29/08/2008 10:47:56
Posted by m.collins
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
Good on ya lady, If I had a good enough body on me I would love to earn some dosh from it. ££££££££ for a good time sounds like it could be worth it.
Let me know how to get the bottle and I would be right there with ya
Posted 29/08/2008 14:02:28
Posted by thestar
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
I love you, you're beautiful! Don't let people get you down!
Posted 10/09/2008 17:34:47
Posted by haileemou
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
I dont know all the facts at all Kim, Serena leaving is that solely to do with you being a prostitute? If it is, its sad that you could choose prostitution over your daughter, i dont have kids but i know i would go to the ends of the world to keep them by my side no matter the pain or troubles and how difficult they are (Kids!)
Posted 21/10/2008 14:47:47
Posted by PeterM
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
Kim I think your great and very brave to be so open. I fancy you and would gladly use your services. Men- normal men married to some of the critical types above- need women like you. I'm sorry to hear of your daughter's views and reaction. I too hope she will come round to seeing you as the wonderful woman you really are.
best of luck
P
Posted 12/01/2010 23:28:26
Posted by ParaPrincess.
RE: 'Being disabled didn't stop me selling my body'
Good for you babe, I am disabled and in the adult industry myself and was before my accident. I also have a university education but enjoy being my own boss and the customer satisfaction!
Posted 11/02/2011 16:41:39