I am disabled. I have cerebral palsy, I am an amputee, and I use a wheelchair most of the time. Exploring new places is hard and takes a lot of coordinated effort. Typically, in my life, I’ve been unable to go places without the help of a parent or aide. I am unable to take spontaneous trips like others my age. I can’t just buy a plane ticket or load up the car, pack a beach bag, and go.

Someone special recently came into my life. When our friendship blossomed, I casually mentioned going to Cape Cod, something, I had wanted to do for quite some time. I also wanting visit Cape Cod to celebrate working out for two years in a row.

I was nervous that he would be against the idea, though. The length of the drive as well as the intense planning could have completely turned him off. When my friend agreed to take this trip with me, I was completely shocked. It took extensive planning, and we needed to make sure that every necessary detail was set in advance.

We spent 48 hours in Cape Cod, and while they may have felt short, the trip was rejuvenating on so many levels. It was nice to be somewhere with a friend (instead of a parent or an aide) and explore the ins and outs of an area I had never seen.

This trip meant so much to me despite its brevity. Not only did I get to explore the area, but I also grew a closer bond with my friend. We have continued to grow our relationship by creating new memories and seeing new places. We have been to NYC, New Jersey, and most recently, Philadelphia for a joint birthday celebration. These trips are some of my best memories to date, and I will never take them for granted. I am grateful to have a friend who is willing to adventure with me.

Often we believe that our vacations aren’t long enough, but we should change our way of thinking. Instead of concerning ourselves with where we should go next, we should approach every exploration and and adventure with gratitude. So appreciate the connections you’ve made and the experiences you’ve had, because at the end of the day, that’s what truly matters.