"When I first became homeless I knew some homeless people from the library I went to. One of them was Cynthia. She was sleeping in her truck and part of a caravan of homeless people who slept in their cars and lived around the park. Cynthia had one friend who let her come into her house once a week for a shower and to get mail there. But even in the coldest weather she would not go to a shelter. She wore snow suit outfits most days, washed her face and hands and brushed her teeth in the library bathroom, and kept to herself.
A couple years ago Cynthia got her SSDI and saved enough to move into an apartment. She let her park friends move on and invited a man to live in the apartment with her. I don't know what happened, but I've been seeing Cynthia walking down the street every day with one of the biggest wheeled suitcases they sell. I think she is homeless again, and this time without a truck.
I don't know what happened to her friends in the park.
I don't know why she won't go to a shelter.
I don't know if there is something more wrong with her - maybe dementia set in?
She's getting older now.
Showing posts with label Homeless Profiles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homeless Profiles. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
ABOUT NATALIE, THE HOMELESS WOMAN WHO RIDES THE SAME BUS ALL NIGHT EVERY NIGHT
Natalie's ankles are swollen because she never really gets to lay down unless she goes to a shelter in another, safer county.
She sleeps sitting up every night on a particular bus route.
Now we think this is kind of cool. Because the bus driver, a woman, knows Natalie's situation, and she never gives her a problem.
UPDATE AUGUST 2012 We are happy to say that we ran into Natalie and she's looking beautiful. Natalie was wearing make-up, had her hair done - shiny and sleek, and was casually dressed in black pants and sweater for her job. Natalie was given stability by a local shelter where she slept each night and was able to keep a small wardrobe, though she had to leave for the day. She managed to get a starter job working part time for a non-profit animal related charity where she is on commission. She is also dog and cat sitting in private homes.
She no longer looks exhausted.
She sleeps sitting up every night on a particular bus route.
Now we think this is kind of cool. Because the bus driver, a woman, knows Natalie's situation, and she never gives her a problem.
UPDATE AUGUST 2012 We are happy to say that we ran into Natalie and she's looking beautiful. Natalie was wearing make-up, had her hair done - shiny and sleek, and was casually dressed in black pants and sweater for her job. Natalie was given stability by a local shelter where she slept each night and was able to keep a small wardrobe, though she had to leave for the day. She managed to get a starter job working part time for a non-profit animal related charity where she is on commission. She is also dog and cat sitting in private homes.
She no longer looks exhausted.
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