I think so. I've been in relationships with people who suffered severe depression and I know people with schizophrenia who have been in relationships with people who aren't. It can be incredibly hard and testing, but love overcomes so much.

My late wife was schizophrenic. She was high functioning, there were challenges. After ten years I still miss her every day.

In my opinion "normal" doesn't exist. What one defines as normal, others might find absurd. Normal is completely subjective.

I definitely believe that the answer is “Yes” when you finally meet the person who understands and embraces your craziness or disability, Love has a very good chance of success. We all have baggage as adults in this life. Loving someone means understanding the pain they have been through, and through patience and honest actions, helping each other move forward together in life.

I don't know what class has to do with it, but I see no reason why not, depending on the people involved.

Yes.

We are all imperfect. It’s not a case of can, but will you. Prejudice comes in many forms. Not all taught. But mental issues can be trying on partners and loved one. Love is one of those things that can conquer just about anything.

What is the story behind this question?

Sure

I think so. In my experience, reason and logic don’t come into play when it comes to love.

I hope so.

A better question might be if you love a "normal" upper middle class blue/white collar person are you mentally ill or disabled?

Anyone can be loved regardless. Most people can feel love for others. (But not all!)

People who claim to be "Normal" are the most mentally ill out there. If they cannot love someone who doesn't conform to their needs, then they're towels. "You're not like the rest of us. I just want a family of clones who'll grow up to accomplish nothing more than flushing their feces into a river."

Well supposedly true love has no boundaries.

Anything is possible in theory but I tend to not want to front-load important relationships with built-in issues. As it is, there's always the chance your partner could become physically or mentally ill and effectively not be the fully participating person you started out knowing.

There is also the practical matter that if you want children, you want a good gene donor for that enterprise, and, again -- you don't want to front-load that with known problems and near-guaranteed suffering -- not just for yourself, but for your partner and any children in the mix. Take it from someone who has borne witness to way too much suffering, you don't want any more of that going on than is absolutely necessary.

My attitude is that whatever you want to say about life, it's difficult and does not come with guarantees, so you don't want to borrow trouble.

On the other hand, some mentally challenged people are incredibly sweet, kind and naturally happy -- people with Down's Syndrome come easily to mind, they are my favorite employees at the local grocer that makes a point of hiring people with mild Down's and autism. So it isn't necessarily true that a person with such limitations could not contribute something to a relationship. Would the power dynamics work out? They might, or they might not, but I suppose you can say that about any relationship where one person is, perhaps through no choice of their own, somewhat dependent on the good will of the other, less challenged partner. If the non-challenged partner does not feel like they're taking care of a child, then it could work out. But there's probably a reason for example that the autistic bagger at the store I mentioned, has an autistic girlfriend. Balanced power dynamic, similar and relatable experiences and perceptions, similar prospects, etc.

Yes, if the loving bond formed before the advent of mental illness and disability. It might require, however, loving them 'from afar'.

I don’t think you control who you fall in love with. The heart wants what the heart wants. But with that said some times love isn’t enough.

With a heart of gold perhaps . Not for me though. I am way too thin skinned or shallow if you will

Yes, I know this to be true, but the better question is can they truly love you? I mean are they mentally healthy enough to be able to love and support. Some are and some are definitely not. This is where people have problems with narcissists I think.

I don't think it's a question of whether or not they can love that person. I think the question is, can they tolerate, or endure the many challenges that go with that. I don't think "love" means that you can necessarily handle everything that comes your way. I can certainly love someone, and want what's best for them, but it's safe to assume that "I" may not be what's best for them, simply because I'm not able to deal with certain challenges they present.

If you try doing a thought experiment, thinking ahead to all of the many challenges that are ahead, how do you think you react to them? Do they seem workable?

Of course.

Ck out Borderline Personality Disorder. You can but it will cost you in pain and heartbreak. We been together 35 years and it's only gotten slightly better. In the meantime I lost me while cleaing up the trouble her illness causes and keeping body and soul together. I am at the end. Got maybe 15 years left and don't want to be doing this for another 15 years. On the other hand it breaks my heart that to have a life free fom stress and uproar and trouble I have to leave.

Only if the sex is fantastic.

Years ago I was on a business trip in a new city. I'm now retired. I was relaxing at a table in the hotel bar. I no longer drink any alcohol. A woman came in in a wheel chair with an old woman in a nurse type outfit. She asked if she could wheel up at my table since I was alone. we had an interesting conversation and she bought me a couple of drinks. Then she said to me..."I'm horny...lets go to my house." I followed her home ...she had a beautiful large home...The nurse helped her undress and helped her into bed. Sex was a little different ....but it was incredible...You can have great sex with a handicapped person.

I don't understand "normal" I guess because I am not.
I run screaming from mentally ill people.
The reality is that all of my partners have had some form of mental illness, and all of them have had times when it was quite extreme.
They are all seen as very normal.
I have a bipolar etc etc druggie brother who is dangerous, hence my aversion.
Disability can be many things, hard of hearing, sight impaired, lame and so forth,
I can't see anything of these things a barrier.
My ideal woman is probably a blind super model.