Why My First Apartment Means So Much to Me as a Young Adult With a Disability

Back in January, I decided it was time for me to move off-campus and into my own apartment. While I know just about everyone’s first apartment is special to them, there are a few reasons why my new place is extra special to me.

1. I’m independent.

My new place marks a big milestone in my independence. When I was a little kid, I remember talking to my occupational therapist about the possibility of someday living alone. I didn’t even know if that goal was possible. It means I have worked hard to learn what accommodations work best in my life. For example, grocery delivery is so much easier than buying it myself, and I can do everything in the bathroom with the use of grab bars.

2. I found a place that was accessible.

When I started my apartment search, I knew the types of housing that my peers were living in were not going to work for me. While I was apartment hunting, I was sending out 10 emails a day asking if the buildings I was finding online were accessible. I had to broaden my search and even then, it felt like the choices were incredibly limited. I eventually found a place that worked for me. When I went to apply for it, I was so scared it was going to be taken and I was going to have start looking all over again. I feel that finding a place that met my needs is an accomplishment in itself.

3. I had a choice.

So many times in my life, I feel like I don’t have a choice and I just have to make do with what is accessible. Things as simple as where to sit in class are choices I don’t get to make. When I made the choice to move, I got a little bit of control over my life that I don’t usually have. Although I had trouble finding places that could meet my needs, I did have some choice. Making this choice has given me more power in my life.

While I am celebrating my new place for all the usual reasons, as a person with a disability, it means a lot more to me.