RE: 10 (More) Things I Learned From Being Homeless
Wow. What a harrowing story. I'm glad you were able to get the help you needed, finally, and it seems it was because you were creative and willing to reach out to the right people.
Two years ago, my husband got in touch with a friend he hadn't seen in a decade. He kind of dropped off the map, and the last we heard, he was living in his car. My husband even drove around town through the Wal-Mart parking lots looking for him a few times. When we finally heard from him again, it was on Facebook, and he was renting a room from a guy he met at a flea market, but was about to be homeless again because the guy needed the room for a family member.
He knew he wouldn't survive another hot Florida summer in his car, and he hadn't worked in a while due to unknown medical issues. He was an only child, adopted, and the only kid in his family. He lived with his parents until they both died, and then had no idea how to care for himself.
We had him come stay with us for a couple of weeks, during which time we took him to the hospital and a follow-up with a doctor, so he could have a medical paper trail to get him on SSI and get an income coming in for him. We helped him apply for food stamps. And, after much looking around, we found him an antique 1959 RV for sale in a local RV park, right in our town. With the back payment he got when he was approved for SSI, he was able to buy the RV for only $800. The lot rent is $350 a month, electric up to $100 a month is included, as is water. He has a cheap cell phone and laptop, and a TV with no cable. We bought four new tires for his car for him.
With his SSI money and food stamps, he can now live pretty comfortably in the RV park. He is in his 50's and never married or had kids, so it's just him. He was a case of someone who just didn't know what to do, and didn't feel motivated to find out, because he was so used to his parents doing everything for him. My husband and I had to basically step in and be his parents, but at least we kept him from having to live in his car again. There's even a walk-in clinic literally outside his front door, a convenience store next door, and a hospital and a Wendy's across the street, so everything he needs or might need is close by. He only uses his car now to come over to our house or go get groceries at Wal-Mart.
If it weren't for you two stepping in, that gentleman would have quietly slipped through the cracks. I'm inclined to assume that happens far too often.
You guys are a blessing :)
We definitely did what we felt like we had to do, and it worked out well. Now, he comes over regularly to help my husband in his music studio like they did in the old days, and has a place to go home to.
We knew we couldn't have him live with us, 1) because he is a miserable wretch who smokes and has a bad attitude, and 2) we tried it once before just after his mom died, and when I got transferred to another state with my job a few months later, he refused to come with us, even though we offered, and rented a warehouse with some co-workers instead. That's how we ended up losing track of him for so long, because he was mad at us for moving, even though he knew when he moved in with us that we might have to, and that he was welcome to come with us.
Even so, he and my husband have known each other since the early 80's, and my husband didn't want anything bad to happen to him. As difficult as it is for anyone to get along with him, neither did I. When we found him again and knew his situation, we knew we had to do something to keep him off the streets, just without it involving him living with us again. Now, he's got his own place, which is the best thing for everyone.
I completely understand. Although it's not humans, I operate a rescue home for severely abused pets. And there are some that are jyst impossible to live with, so you must find creative resolutions. Lol
I'm happy it worked out for all involved!