October 2015 Newsletter

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Accidents Happen

Through no fault of his own behavior, Rick took a serious fall, hitting his head on a concrete sidewalk. His forehead became swollen with a lump the size of a baseball. A tumor formed inside his head. He has a history of having seizures, but that was not the cause of his accident. He does not use drugs or alcohol. He continues to use anti-seizure medication.

When Rick was finally release from a long stay in the hospital, he got his old job back. He has been a part-time Courtesy Clerk in a local grocery store for the past 18 years. He bags groceries, carries them out to customer’s cars, stocks the dairy section and cleans the restroom. He used to work for years at a local boat manufacturing company until they went out of business. He said, “I’ve always been very independent, supported myself and had a place to stay.”

In the three years since his accident, life has been different. Rick said, “I have noticed that I don’t walk as fast, and I have to ask friends to slow down.” Maintaining stable housing has also been a challenge. He has bounced from friend to friend, sometimes for a night or even a few months at a time. The last friend suddenly moved out of town. On his low income, he has had trouble saving first and last month’s rent, deposit and utility costs. He had run out of options. Without warning, he was homeless. It was not for a lack of housing units available. He became homeless because his earning potential had decreased due to his accident. He refused to apply for SSI in favor of continuing to work. He is a victim of circumstance. He has no criminal background. And his story has been verified by a family member who regularly visits him here.

In the photo, Rick is standing outside of his new home at the Mission. He started by sleeping in the first floor dormitory, then moved to a private rental room on the second floor. He is saving his money so he can move out on his own.

Accidents and disabilities do happen. Its an unfortunate part of life. Rick just needed a temporary place to call home, then he will be independent again.