Article 4- June 24
Independence = Responsibility
Want to be independent? Don't forget about safety!
by Carrie Greenwood, KYEA Program Coordinator
When I first moved out on my own four years ago, I knew that there was going to come lots of new responsibility with that. But, I did not realize just how many things that I would now have to think about as a person with a disability living on my own. One of those things, that I hadn’t thought as much about before, is safety. Do you want to be independent? Of course you do… we all do! Everyone should have independence, but, with independence, comes some new responsibilities. One of the biggest is your safety.
Independence comes in a lot of shapes and sizes. It can mean living on your own or living with some friends. It can mean going to the grocery store or a coffee shop by yourself. It can even mean just taking a walk by yourself down the street. All of these things are awesome, and I encourage them fully! BUT, in doing any of these things, you must have safety in the back of your mind at all times... especially as a person with a disability. In some situations, you will want safety to be in the front of your mind. The more you are in the world, the more you have to be aware of the good and bad parts of the world. This is not me being negative, it’s just the reality of life.
So, be independent! But, while you are doing that, think about ways that you can keep yourself safe. This newsletter is chock full of tips, experiences, and resources. Here are a few more things to consider when you are out there living your life and being independent:
1. Are your surroundings safe? For example, are you choosing safe places to go to? If you live on your own, are you locking your doors at night?
2. Are your eyes fully open when you are out doing things? Of course, your eyes are physically open, but are you aware of what is safe and not safe around you?
3. Are you sharing too much on social media or even in person? Are you sharing your address on Facebook? Not a good idea. Are you sharing the exact name of your workplace in the first conversation with someone in online dating? Not a great idea either.
4. Do you know how to get help if it is needed? Do you have your cell phone with you at all times? Do you have a way to reach out to people if something goes wrong or you are in a bad situation?
5. Are you making good choices? For example, are you drinking too much at a party where you hardly know anyone? Are you inviting someone into your house that has made you feel uneasy in the past? Our choices can absolutely change our lives in an instant. So please make good ones.
I could go on and on about things to be aware of. I am not saying to let these things overwhelm your mind and stop you from living a full life. I am simply saying not to forget about them. PLEASE be independent! It is literally the best feeling in the world! But, please be safe while you are being independent. If you get hurt or something bad happens, then the independence was not worth it. With independence comes responsibility… and you should be proud and ready to take on that responsibility!