I write a lot about transitioning to adulthood with a disability and doing adult things, like going to college, looking for work, and travelling on my own, but there are still some adult experiences I haven't written about. Ones that some people may frown upon but, to me, were as noteworthy as any interview or solo plane trip.
I'm talking about things like watching adult entertainment (you know what I mean), trying various types of alcohol, being offered marijuana, and going to a bar.
For the record, my family members know about all of this stuff, so no big surprises here.
My first year in college, my roommate and I got cable for our TVs. On top of it, my roommate got pay-per-view. Mostly, we watched movies and wrestling specials, but one night a friend of ours came over and the two of them decided to rent an adult film and encouraged me to watch it with them. At first I was hesitant, having only been in college and on my own for a mere six months at that point, but I decided that whatever they were doing sounded a lot more exciting than watching the latest episode of Smallville by myself, so I joined in. Couple of guys, late teens to early twenties watching porn. Definitely an experience, albeit a ridiculous one.
My next big adult milestone came when I was old enough to drink. I'm not a drinker, but I have at least tried different kinds of alcohol. Some things I've liked, most I haven't. More of a Pepsi guy!
Speaking of drinking, soon after I was of legal age, I went with some then-classmates to a bar near the college I was going to one night. Hated the entire experience. Too crowded, too noisy, not my thing at all! Looking back, I think I was trying way too hard to fit in. I did it though.
Last on that list, marijuana. During my last stint of college, some friends were smoking pot and offered me a joint. I declined, not knowing how it would affect my breathing, but I did think about it for a few moments. Best part was my friends were really respectful when I declined and even started smoking from a distance where I could breath fine!
These experiences definitely aren't for a lot of people, and some readers may find this post a little odd, but they were all significant moments (to me, anyway) in my transition to adulthood, and ones I think individuals with disabilities, as well as their families, should be aware of.
I never continued doing these various things beyond the times mentioned, but I still had the experiences of each and, as a credit to my parents, I knew enough to handle those situations as maturely as possible.
And with all this talk of maturity and adulthood finished, back to watching some cartoons. (Kidding, but not really.)
Cheers!
