Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago · 3 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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Homelessness and Me

Homelessness and Me

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While waiting for Hearth Home to respond to my requests for interviews, I have decided to share my journey through the system. So far it has been rife with disheartening,”NOs.”

I stated my purpose for going homeless as the need for medical, food, and depends. I was amazed at the response I received when I presented that I faced death or homelessness. It seems one must grovel in a pit of despair before help is offered.

Medical, it seems will be taken care of; food is a No. Poverty guidelines for food are so low; one cannot meet them. If you have a passel of kids you can. I’m too old to breed. It’s also not a route I care to take. Depends? Well—you are allowed one a day. If you soil yourself in the morning, you must wait 24 hours to change. It’s almost as if they believe incontinence is just a matter of recalling potty-training. NOT.

I received a No letter yesterday. It was in regards to general help from a government entity. I called the woman (Susan), and she lied about not having received records. I called the agency tasked with sending them and Pat told me 152 pages had been sent. Pat at the agency requested the Susan’s phone number so she could call to confirm. Armed with this new information, I called the woman with the government agency back and told her she had 152 pages to peruse. She tried to tell me she had only through a certain date, and I told her firmly that she had through 2017. Silence ensued.

No is the answer of first resort when most ask for help. I have found more help her with others willing to help authors at my patreon site. But when approaching a government agency for help, the answer of first resort is no. I guess they must require desperation before they consider the request. I don’t like dwelling in desperation. Pride is my pitfall.

I have an asset which I cannot access the equity from. I made the mistake of going bankrupt first. Because I have no credit, I cannot access money. My only choice is to sell. Once I sell, I lose medical. I’ll have funds. I’ll have enough to buy a  van with a toilet and facilities to clean myself.

Most of you know I have Multiple Sclerosis. I am in constant pain. I need a place to sleep and keep myself clean, and this van will provide that. Shelters often require you wait in line for a bed, and I cannot stand long. I’ve found that when you “sit” in line, those that can stand often assume you are just sitting and not in line at all. Patience is not a virtue when where you are in line determines whether or not you get a place to sleep. I have found an inordinate amount of patience with the able-bodied when it comes to having to sit and wait. I would almost be better off in a wheelchair, but pride is a pitfall there, too. I want to walk as long as I can. No wheelchair for me yet.

My youngest son (40) squandered his youth. He made an inordinate amount of money and saved not a dime. I cannot drive long, so he will be my driver. I will not be homeless alone. Eva, his dog, will come with us. 

We will roam the country as long as the money holds out chronicling those who are driven to the roads in lieu of brick and mortar homes. The roads are not a friendly place. Cities and towns do not allow you to park on the streets. I did a search and found many stories. It seems homelessness is not acceptable. Something to be shoved in dark corners where respectable, homed folks cannot see it.

In the meantime, I am exploring all avenues. I want to remain in my home, but it’s looking like that won’t be possible. I am trying to look at being homeless as an adventure. I’ve never traveled. Being homeless will give me an opportunity to see the country. I’ve hardly ventured outside of this city. I am fortunate in that I will be able to afford a van with a bed and a toilet, but I despair in being driven to it.

I have my writing. I’m sure I will meet some interesting stories along the way. I will share them with you. My journey starts in October if all else fails. 


Copyright 2017 Joyce Bowen

About the Author:  Joyce Bowen is a freelance writer and public speaker.  Inquiries can be made at crwriter@comcast.net

Sobre el autor: Joyce Bowen es un escritor independiente y orador público. Las consultas pueden hacerse en crwriter@comcast.net


 My Patron site.  Please support my work.

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#Pat #Joyce Bowen #Hearth Home #Homelessness #Susan
Comments

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #36

This post is being reposted to whenIneededhelp.com. Many thanks to the administrator, and many thanks to bebee.com for giving me a voice.

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #35

This post is being reposted to whenIneededhelp.com . Many thanks to the administrator.

Lisa Vanderburg

6 years ago #34

#42
& #43 Alas my writing gigs are all pro bono - curiosity led to an act of love, or rant of passion :) But if it helps I was lucky enough to get some heavy -hitters' (neuronoggin's) attention on LI (in the good ol' days), so now I get requests to 'Dr. Lisa' to publish - lol - medical publishing if far from free even if I was qualified! What Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee is an eager-beaver in the media world to get it noticed? I know nothing of that world alas...anybody??

Mohammed Abdul Jawad

6 years ago #33

#41
Ah, humane message that provokes one's conscience! :)

John White, MBA

6 years ago #32

You should tweet this to buzz @beBee. It qualifies for promotion. Congratulations!

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #31

#42
Damn--I did free PR work for years. One of my proudest days was when I did a whole Press Release that was published w/o a single edit. Damn, I was good... *smirk*

Lisa Vanderburg

6 years ago #30

Wow Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee...look at the good you have done with your immense courage! You have reminded us of how we should treat each other - individual to government! I just wish I could do....something; anything. As a species we have become more detached and less humane the more privileged we've become.And I agree Joyce - it's remarkably painful to lose 'stuff', even though you realize the insignificance in light of life. I do so feel for you..especially with books! Sorta like a timed tsunami..what do you leave? #34 & 35 @Antoinette Capasso-Backdahl; thanks for your openness and courage! Both me & hubby are disabled (at the same time), so my heart goes out to you too.

Cyndi wilkins

6 years ago #29

#39
Please do! Crazy week for me...but cancellations happen...If that is the case, I'm in;-)

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #28

#38
Oh man--you ain't comin' ? Will say Hi to Liza for you.

Cyndi wilkins

6 years ago #27

#1
Sounds like that "tin can' just might become a popular 'hive!' Buzz on ladies...wish I could join you;-)

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #26

Todd Jones 28 min #33 #32 Thank you, Lisa. I hope everyone considers supporting Joyce's work through her patreon website. The measure of a society is how it treats its elderly. https://www.patreon.com/user/posts?u=5891284 I would love to be able to stay in my home.

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #25

#35
Yes--it is an unforgiving system. Even now I find the need to struggle to take care of myself. I have very little but will have much less soon enough. But I will have a bed and bathroom facilities. In contemplating what is truly needed, I am surprised at what I realize I can do without. But damn--I will miss my "stuff."

Lisa Vanderburg

6 years ago #24

#20
Bless you, @Todd Jones!

Lisa Vanderburg

6 years ago #23

#17
@Antoinette Capasso-Backdahl (which won't highlight) gets it - she's clearly been there or seen it!

Lisa Vanderburg

6 years ago #22

#11
and there it is Sandra. The desire to help. Humanity and humility. What life should be!

Lisa Vanderburg

6 years ago #21

#4
ya know Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee tale; to educate others just how harsh life truly is with degenative/neurodegenerative/chronic disease....particularly Stateside. This is the real truth of it!

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #20

#22
We are definitely headed towards becoming a third-world country. Just because we house our disabled between brick-and-mortar buildings they are not really seen. They're tended to be looked at as garbage to be swept away. We in the USA promote ourselves as so enlightened, but we are ignorant.

Lisa Vanderburg

6 years ago #19

#1
ah...Deb \ud83d\udc1d Helfrich with restored dignity and help her have the respite she needs!

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #18

#21
Thank you, Javier.

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #17

#20
Thank you, Todd. I am truly trying to view this as an adventure, but I am scared. I have to look after my health needs as I embark on this and it's going to take months of planning. Fortunately, I never wait until the last minute. I am planning now. I just look around at my stuff and lament. I have about 1,000 books which will have to go. There will be more. I have often looked at my body as my enemy in my disease, and now I must partner it with my mind. We must take care of each other. This will all work out in the end. I know/hope it will.

Lisa Vanderburg

6 years ago #16

Part 2: I'm still so angry for you, for the US system, for our poor humanity in the 1st world, even though I live and use it. You have balls of sheer 24-carat titanium and the heart of our founding fathers; true, steady and strong. It's not a compliment; it's what I see in your account. I am rootin' for you in every way and I STILL am gobsmacked at the callousness of that infernal system (for others; been there, got crushed by it. And I'm an American). I am pro-American, pro-British but, fuc* it....this is the reality of what happens when you 'fall foul' - in any way, and I'm so grateful that you've been able to express what I could not. God speed, stalwart woman, with your son. I wish you love and humanity!

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #15

#19
I would love to do so.

Lisa Vanderburg

6 years ago #14

I am gobsmacked at so many veins of this account Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee. What strikes hardest is what I know to be true: 1. You are clearly in the great USA. 2. This should be an account of a third-world country except (despite and above) you'd be meeting a common kindness in individuals that know the road you travel and still would offer you a place at their meager table, knowing tomorrow they may have nothing. 3. Having a degenerative disease like MS there - where you are; is the cruelest fate. We were fortunate; we only lost everything fiscal (which is, as you know horribly painful), but we were able to return to the UK because my hubby's a Brit. I'm gonna start a 'part 2' because I know this'll run out.....

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

6 years ago #13

Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee we admire you. Buzz on

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #12

Antoinette Capasso-Backdahl. Thank you for the shares.

Mohammed Abdul Jawad

6 years ago #11

Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee May the Almighty Lord provide you succor under His sheltering skies.

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #10

#13
yes, and I am very fortunate to have 5 patrons. I hope to set up a website and tell stories of the mobile homeless. Perhaps I can make somewhat of a living through those means.

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #9

#11
The rules are set in granite. They do not make concessions for anyone or anything. It does not matter what you've accomplished or who speaks for you. They do not buck the rules. See http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/elderly.html. It almost looks like the way to kill people off is to starve them to death or expose them to the elements by denying them housing. It's why I am looking into mobile shelter. I am fortunate to be able to do so.

Mohammed Abdul Jawad

6 years ago #8

Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee May you rejoice in life's triumph. Ah, let come pain, misery or failures, but never turn your heart faithless. It's more dulcet to practice patience than to lower your spirits with distress or deviant thoughts. May the Almighty Lord help you immensely.:)

Pascal Derrien

6 years ago #7

this is hard to take but you are writing about it in such an eloquent manner that one can only be fascinated by the article I think a few can park their authenticity stamp in Disney land :-)

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

6 years ago #6

#5
Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBeeJoyce They say and I think I've seen it too that poverty is where the purity of love in the heart lies. We may have many riches, jobs, fancy lives but without love everything is lost. Who decides whose poor and whose rich. Even if we don't have wealth to show off we have love, learning and a shoulder to lean on. But seems like money is vital and man's existence revolves around a tiny piece of paper.

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #5

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/27/goodwill-paying-penniesperhour.html

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #4

I know some think of companies such a Goodwill. But the rank and file disabled make about a max of 28 cents an hour, while their CEO gets millions. It's nothing more than slave labor.

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #3

#4
Stop living on the go and take care of you. I've been driven into poverty because I am disabled. And agencies tasked with helping the disabled get jobs are jokes. https://www.bebee.com/producer/@joyce-bowen/disability. I joined the stigma of the ranks of the disabled a while ago. Now I add the stink of poverty to my resume. If I had been able to get a job, I wouldn't be in this position. Thanks for your kind thoughts.

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

6 years ago #2

Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee My heart goes out to you. I will find a job in a couple of months that will enable me to support someone just as kind and goodhearted like you goal 1. I've never thought of saving I've lived on the go and cherished every moment.The goal was to study master's in teaching to teach again (I'm applying for a scholarship) goal 2 and buying a home for Mom but that's goal 3 and both goals are taking a second seat now. After hearing your story and many similar ones it seems being content at the moment and living in the now will stop satisfying me. Just my thoughts. Wishing you positivity and goodness and love. I thought everyone there were taken care off and life had more value I was wrong. It's the same everywhere in the world.

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #1

#1
We'll talk Wednesday. I do have an appointment @ 12:30.

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