Quote:
Originally Posted by jenlili  I've heard (from a very reliable source) that being homeless for more than 90 days is risking being homeless forever...Of course I don't know all the ins and outs of that, like: did you "choose" to be homeless or run out of places to stay. While you were living in your tent or truck did you have a place to bathe and did you have food.
The thing you don't mention is children. This is one I've really had to think about. (I have kids---I don't have money or a job.) In the movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness," the son gets dragged around to public bathrooms and homeless shelters for 6 months. I really have to question the acceptability of that. Just how much of a sacrifice for Mom's or Dad's self-fulfillment is really OK? |
Hi Jenlili..
My first homeless experience was when I lived in an art studio on campus, against the rules. That was more to save money than anything. I had a gym membership so that's where I showered. There was also a small refrigerator and I had a microwave.
The tent example was just from regular camping which I really loved doing. I've known of people who've lived in one as well though on a longer term basis.
When I mentioned living in my truck it was only for a little over a week.. and yeah it was a matter of finances, but also a choice. I had a job but it was too little too late. I had an option to move in with someone but by that time I was just too freaked out stay there due to other circumstances. The alternative (living in my truck) was more appealing than stay actually. I called it a leap faith, and just took off.. well, it's how I got there in the first place - by the flip of a coin. Even though I had no idea how, I knew everything would work out. And that's when I found the YWCA in another state.
No I don't have children and I can't imagine living my gypsy lifestyle with them. I'm sure it's possible though.
I have been fortunate to have family to help me out. It is generally a socially unacceptable situation, but then isn't that what family is for? Not in the mooching sense, but these days it isn't uncommon.
The important thing is that you know it will work out. The Pursuit of Happiness was one of the worst movies I've ever seen because it painted such a bleak picture of homelessness. I hated it. I mean, yes it is challenging and I'm sure that's how it is for some, but the way I perceived that story was the main character created the bleakness - like a vortex of despair and that I feel was his choice. It's just the way he had to learn the lesson I guess.
Besides that depiction, I believe whatever challenges we are given, they come our way because we can handle them whether or not we realize it at the time.