Today’s cartoon made me laugh because it is absolutely true. I have lived in my parents house for my whole life. There are two reasons for this. The first and most important is that like it or not, I need the support system. I just need help. The main two areas that I need help are dressing and bathing, yes I said bathing. More people have seen me undressed then the world’s biggest porn star. I’m not modest because I can’t afford to be, it’s just something that I have to be okay with to function on daily basis. I stay in my room a lot. I always have. my family actually makes jokes about it. They tell people that I (stay in my cave). It’s very true, I do, and I don’t deny it. I do it because it’s the only place really that I can do things on my own. Watch TV, Play video games, work on this blog. Everything in my little command center has been set up so that I don’t have to ask for very little help. There are lots of days that I only come out for meals. Evie probably reads these posts and thinks that I talk about her a lot, the reason why is that she is one of very few people who spend time with me inside my sanctuary everyday.
Privacy is something that every human needs but when you are handicapped you have much less than the average person. It works the same way for my family, they don’t have nearly as much privacy as they would have if I were a fully functional man who didn’t need help. I am in their space and they are in mine. It grinds on all of us sometimes, but on the other hand, you have to learn how to be patient with people very quickly. Although I have gotten used to it, I think most people take a lot for granted. When I shower, I may not have someone in the shower with me all the time but they are close by. Much like what you see in the comic. Some of the same questions even.
Secondly, up until just over a year ago I had no other help besides my family. Jane showed up about a year and a half ago and has made lots of things possible. I can now go where I want to go and do what I want to do within reason. I can go find a house now if I would like but getting one put together with all the appropriate Lifts a large bathroom, roll in shower, and all the other things I need is not an easy (or cheap) task. I will get there eventually, but in a situation like mine you have to be sure all your ducks are in a row so to speak before you jump. I’ve lived this way for so long that I’m not even sure what I would do if I had more privacy what would be different? I’d wear less clothing most likely 🙂
What do you value about your privacy?
Evie has nailed the comic one more time. I couldn’t do this without her. Thank you for all that you do.