In 2006 I was 24. I was in my last year of living in my mom’s house. I remember, just like it was yesterday, my mom’s house was going into foreclosure, and I wasn’t living at home then, leaving my sister and me to live with each other. Man, that was a struggle.

Earlier that year, I was moving into a house with a guy with cerebral palsy. He was a lot older than me. After getting to know one another, I started to feel that this could not work. Two factors played into it not working out, the age difference between us two, and we had different disabilities. He was a little lower functioning than I was. His mom, at the time, had deep pockets, and because she Had deep pockets, he could live on his own in a house with caregivers.

When the Guys mom had second thoughts about me moving in, I was devasted. My mom’s house was going into foreclosure, and I didn’t have a place to go.

After planning to move into a house with another person with a disability, I had nowhere to go. Time was running out. So, unfortunately, I had to think of a plan B, and that plan B was a nursing home. Even worst, the nursing home didn’t have a good reputation. I was devastated and depressed. At 24 years old and unemployed, I started the realization that I was getting ready to move into a nursing home. I had no other choice. I was not getting a place with my sister; we didn’t get along well enough.

I filled out the paperwork to get into the nursing home.

I came so close to moving into the nursing home.

Luckily I put applications into low-income apartments. I got lucky. One apartment that I filled out an application for called me at just the right time

The apartment that came calling was a low-income apartment, otherwise known as a senior citizens’ apartment.

I was relieved that I was not going into a nursing home and that this opportunity arose. Sure, it’s not a regular apartment, and I would be moving into a senior citizens’ apartment at 24, but it was better than living in a nursing home. The floor of the nursing home where I was going to be moving into the nursing home didn’t have rooms. Al, it was a space for a bed with a curtain as a door.

I always had high expectations for myself, but after a while, reality started to kick in.

People should know that just because you move into a senior citizen’s apartment and you are not old yet doesn’t mean that you don’t have any bills and responsibilities. Living in a senior citizen’s apartment, and a regular apartment for that matter, means you have responsibilities. But that’s what I love about it.

I’ve learned what it means to be independent. I’ve had growing pains and life experiences that have helped me grow.

I would be lying if I said this is how I imagine how my life would go, but at the same time, everybody needs to go through the bad things in life; if it helps people become better humans, that is if you have the right attitude.

Right now, at 41 years of age, I’m my second senior citizen in the city. I love the city. Since I got my electric wheelchair, I’ve visited different places, primarily restaurants.

Some people have to adapt to what there deal with in life.

Looking back on my living arrangement, I put things in perspective and realized it could always be worst.

• Just because you’re broke doesn’t mean you can’t spend money
  You can afford nice things on social security
• Some hospitals are laying off workers while some are getting hit in their computer systems
  some hospitals around the country say they’re not making money
• When you have to see your doctor no matter how hard it is or how you feel about it
  my primary doctor Won’t let me get my Botox injections until I see him
• Last Friday’s explosion of George Santos proves that nothing will ever get done in Washington
  What does this have to do with people with disabilities? Well, everything.
• Disabled women are finding out Victoria’s Secret
  Disabled women are finding out Victoria’s Secret used to be known for featuring only tall, skinny, long-haired women without any imperfections such as bumps or love handles.
• Why Shopping on Amazon can be a game changer for People with disabilities
  amazon shopping for people with disabilites are a great avanue for people with disabilites
• In 2021, hospitals that had 25 beds or fewer made $32.8 million, healthcare for money, not the patient
  Despite what is to be believed about hospitals, they profit. It’s not just CEOs of hospitals that make money. Surgeons and Physicians also make a pretty good amount of money. Not-for-profit hospitals make a 15.1 percent inpatient all-payer operating profit margin in 2021. Healthcare overall in 2022 had a loss of 34.9 million dollars due… Read more: In 2021, hospitals that had 25 beds or fewer made $32.8 million, healthcare for money, not the patient
• My mother is in a nursing home
  After 3 months in hospital (barring six days at home) my mother has been moved to a nursing home. It’s an absolutely beautiful home set in acres of countryside so she has an amazing green view out of full length windows. Finally out of the misery of a busy noisy hospital ward full of patients… Read more: My mother is in a nursing home
• It’s time for wheelchair basketball players to get there due
  For years, women have been complaining about not being equal in sports. Take, for example, women’s basketball before the WNBA was formed; players were forced to play overseas. Things have got better. However, most players still have to go abroad, even though they’re getting paid. Now, let’s talk about wheelchair basketball players. Like WNBA players,… Read more: It’s time for wheelchair basketball players to get there due
• Anxiety is a disability, how it’s an unfortunate family thing for my family
  Anxiety is a serious thing; I don’t think people understand how serious it is. The bad thing about it is that anybody can get bad. Anybody can be affected by it. Along with having problems with having a congenital disability, I also have to deal with a lifelong family disorder, anxiety. I don’t know how… Read more: Anxiety is a disability, how it’s an unfortunate family thing for my family