On the homeless

[nadinbrzezinski]

Well this article reminded me of one thing I do every so often

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8301981&mesg_id=8301981

You see the Homeless in our society are completely invisible. So in order to do something for them, and I happen to live near the wrong side of the tracks... literally I mean that... well every so often I buy a sandwich for some of these guys and gals, as well as lend an ear from time to time.

Now I will warn you NOT to do this at night... yes there is a small percentage of the homeless, used to be larger, that do have mental problems. And they could indeed be a danger to you. Suffice to say that sadly the number of homeless people in the country has gone up, so those who were thrown out of hospitals are now very much a minority.

So who else are our homeless?

Well Lucy is a 20 something who has been fighting an addiction to many drugs. She was beaten, abused et al by dad, and she fled at seventeen. She's been roaming the streets for the last three years or so.

There is George, a veteran of Gulf War One, who really could never adjust once he came home and left the army.

Of course there is Bill, an old Nam Era vet, who's been in and out of housing for since for ever, and has problems keeping a job. You see, he is reminded of the gooks every time he turns. He was the one who warned me (I knew this from TJ) to not do this in the dark... I have bought him coffee and food often...

And there are the many others I have bought food for... or Jack, he has Convulsions, and can't keep a job since he has them when off his meds. He is taken to the ER every so often, given an emergency supply of Lithium, which runs out in a moth... see the cycle? He is a frequent flier for your local EMS, and wishes not to be, but cannot get enough lithium to clean himself up and get a job. Nor could he afford it... but if we had a medical system... oh never mind.

As to this young man being ignored... I just introduced you to some folks that I am betting must of you would walk by, not even paying attention. It is the nature of our society, though walking by I am almost betting is hard wired.