I’m going to see my girlfriend in Vegas. We’ve been dating for 6 months and we felt that it’s time for us to start seeing each other face to face, and often. Her parents are pretty cool with it and have even invited me into their home for a week. As far as my parents are concerned, they aren’t thrilled. For 22 years, I sat in this house and did what they asked. I obeyed them. I respected them and for the most part, I made them proud of me. My parents, however, have always gotten in the way of me doing things for myself. They’re overprotective of me because I’m an only child. I’m naive about the world because of them. I had to leave a few concerts and special friend occasions early because they told me to, and out of respect for them, I did. I’ve been trapped in this cycle where my only focus is school and work. They pay for my phone bills and other expenses, yet complain about me mooching off of them. However, when I actually want to do something for myself, such as pay for my phone bill or at least help pay rent, they tell me to not worry about it and focus on school and work. I feel like moving out, but I have no money and I have no money because they insist that I remain working with the same grocery store that I’ve been working on for the last 5 years…the same grocery store that refuses to move be up from sacker to cashier position. I can’t even drive a car. My mother told me I couldn’t and to this day I believe her. I keep holding myself back because of them and it’s a really big problem for me.

I understand that I have cerebral palsy and that there are a lot of things that I can’t necessarily do on my own, but I’m confident in the fact that I can take care of myself. It’s hard trying to explain that to my parents because it always ends up in an argument. I just quit halfway because I feel like it’s useless. I understand that they’re only out for my safety and well-being, but at the age I am now, it’s gotten a little bit too much.

It’s time that I stop holding myself back and start doing things on my own, even if it means angering my parents.

So with that said, I’ll be boarding my flight to Vegas next Monday despite the fact that they’ve already said no. I’m not letting them make this decision for me nor am I missing out on an opportunity that will never come again. I will be responsible about this and take every necessary step to insure that I’m safe. I’ll call my parents and let them know that I’m okay throughout each day, and reassure them that there’s nothing to be scared of and that I can handle myself.

And for the first time in my life, I actually feel alive and happy. If I listen to my parents and stay here, then the same thing will happen when other great opportunities come my way. I’ll deny them, out of respect for my parents, and continue to live my life in the same way I am now….under the roof and strict will of my parents.

It’s about damn time I start doing things on my own. I love my parents, but this is something I need to do for myself.