Austin homeless icon Leslie Cochran moved into hospice [View all]

[TexasTowelie]

Austin’s most famous homeless person, Leslie Cochran, was moved into a local hospice Friday after friends saw his condition steadily improve late this week at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center.

Cochran was found unconscious last week. On Wednesday, he awoke from “semi-consciousness,” his friend Debbie Russell said in an email statement today. Cochran remains in critical condition in the hospice and full consciousness is not a sign in his overall health improving, Russell said.

The man, known for flamboyant outfits and the occasional campaign for public office, underwent brain surgery at the hospital last week. Cochran had been in declining health since a 2009 head injury. In recent weeks he had attempted to relocate to Colorado via Amtrak but had difficulties securing the necessary paperwork.

Cochran has been pleased when friends told him about the well wishes people sent him, Russell said, including cards signed by the mayor, city council members, and police and fire chiefs.

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http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/austin/entries/2012/03/04/austin_icon_leslie_cochran_mov.html

[font color=green]Leslie is an American peace activist, cross-dresser, street person and local celebrity in Austin, Texas. He is a critic of police treatment of the homeless. He ran for mayor of Austin three times and came in second in the 2000 election.

On October 3, 2009, Leslie Cochran was found outdoors in a vegetative state and was transported to University Medical Center Brackenridge in critical condition. He reported that he had been attacked after commenting to a group of people about the dangers of drug abuse.

On February 27th, 2012, St. David South Austin hospital confirmed he was present in their hospital listed in critical condition. The circumstances to his illness/injury are not yet known. He regained consciousness today after undergoing brain surgery two weeks ago.

He is known for outrageous attire including gold lamé skirts, leopard thongs, and high-heeled shoes. One day as I was driving down Guadalupe Street during lunch, I did a double-take as I saw someone walking in a blue tie-dyed bikini and heels. I never had an opportunity to speak with him, but at one time he was listed among the Top 10 attractions to see while visiting Austin.

I wish him well because he called attention to the plight of the homeless and participated in various events such as the Keep Austin Weird 5K.

--information supplemented by Wikipedia[/font]