You might not believe me when I say this, but I didn’t get my passport until January 2020. Before then, I had only traveled a few places within the US. I always dreamed of visiting other places, but it felt like something out of reach—until one day, I decided it was time to make it happen.

The first person who encouraged me to get my passport was a very kind man named Christophe, a Swedish man whom I met during my days of volunteering. Whenever he’d see me, he’d always give me a warm greeting, followed by requesting an update on the status of my passport.

As a woman with a disability, travel felt like something far beyond my reach. The logistics, the expense, the unknown—sometimes, it felt easier to stay in my comfort zone. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.

I dedicated the following months of my life to gather all of my important documents so that I could finally apply for my passport. Collecting these documents wasn’t as easy as I thought, especially since I had lost the majority of my important documents years prior. But when I finally took my passport photo, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: pure joy. Giddy doesn’t even cover it.

When my passport arrived, it was like the world had finally opened up to me, It was like holding freedom in my hands. I immediately thought of Christophe and how far I came. The first destination I chose was Accra, Ghana, in December 2021. It was more than just a trip; it was the beginning of something new. Stepping off the plane, everything felt surreal. It wasn’t just about exploring a new place—it was about finally exploring the world with my own eyes, and 10 months later I moved there.

Since then, I’ve been to five other countries: the UK (which I’m a frequent visitor of), the Netherlands, Spain, Morocco, and most recently, Malta.

My journey of travel has truly just begun, and I’m excited for the adventures that lie ahead. But more than that, I’m embracing the world as my home. This passport isn’t just a document—it’s a symbol of everything I’ve fought for, and everything still to come.

To anyone dreaming of their own adventure: it’s never too late to take that first step. The world is waiting for you.g for you.

What’s something you’ve always dreamed of, but never thought was achievable—until now?