MONTREAL - A wheelchair-bound man wants Quebec to follow the lead of some European countries by training "sex assistants" to meet the needs of disabled clients.

Andrea Cudini, paralyzed since birth by cerebral palsy, has an active life under the sheets but flouts the law while doing so.

For several years he has regularly received what he calls "moral assistance" from women he pays $60 to $100 for sexual encounters.

"For me, it's like eating or drinking. This is a vital need," Cudini told QMI Agency from his unit in east-end Montreal.

He wants prostitution to be decriminalized for the benefit of disabled people or anyone else willing to pay for sex.

Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany train women to become sexual partners for the disabled. France is considering a similar program.

Disabled Canadians who want such companionship must go underground. Cudini's first sexual encounter was in an abandoned squatter's building, where a young woman approached him and offered him sex for money. He said yes.

They came back to his place and became "bedroom buddies," as he put it.

From then on, he sought out "moral assistants" in parks, bars and from among friends.

He says he'd much rather see the service offered legally.

"I dream of a building in an industrial area that's converted for that (purpose)," Cudini said.

Sexual frustration is a fact of life for as many as 70% of disabled people, according to a recent Laval University study.

A separate 2011 CROP poll suggests just 45% of all people would be willing to have sex with a disabled person.

Disabled-rights advocate Bethsa Leconte says something has to change.

"We don't associate the word disability with sexuality," she said. "Yet it's an essential need. We all want to have a fulfilling life. Sexual life is part of that."

She says Andrea Cudini isn't the only one who is using prostitutes "with all the risks that that entails."

Leconte says an organized sexual-support service would curb the risks.

"We need trained people who know the type of disability who know how to react if a problem arises."

But sexologist Andre Dupras isn't convinced.

He dismisses sex assistants as "a quick fix" and "a panacea for sexual frustration.

"This is a simplistic ... solution," Dupras said. "We can do better than that."

He says a lasting solution will only come if able-bodied Canadians change their attitudes about disabled people and sexuality.

SWISS SEX ASSISTANTS

-The Sexuality and Disability association in Switzerland trains "sex assistants."

-Training includes a course on disabilities and psychology as well as practical workshops on massage and masturbation techniques.

-Swiss sex assistants are paid $144 an hour. The service is not covered by insurance.

-Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany offer similar services.