Monthly Archives: October 2006

Discharged To The Street In Greensboro

Posted on October 30, 2006 by Michele (CM)| 7 Comments

I saw one of my homeless friends at church Sunday. He’s been trying to get off the street for a while, and trying to get help for mental illness. It’s hard to get housing when you have no income, and it’s hard to get help for mental illness when you’re homeless and have no insurance. I knew the odds were against him. But I didn’t expect what he told me next.

This past week, he attempted suicide. He ended up in the hospital, but after a few days, they discharged him. The shelters were full, so the sheriff’s deputy dropped him off “on the block” (the corner of Lee & Eugene, by the shelter), and he’s back on the street again.

I was stunned. Sad. Angry. Helpless. Silent. There’s so much more I could say, but you either care or you don’t, and if you care, you know what I’d say anyway.

So hey, welcome to Greensboro. This is how we do it.

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Thought For Today: Chosen Out

Posted on October 30, 2006 by Michele (CM)| Leave a comment

When you belong to the world, the world tells you who you are. But when you belong to Jesus, your identity is in Him. And Jesus said:

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you… If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you… because they do not know Him who sent Me.” — John 15:18-21

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven….” — Matthew 5:10-12

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Plasma = $$$

Posted on October 23, 2006 by Michele (CM)| 3 Comments

I saw one of my homeless friends at the library today, and he had a bright green bandage wrapped around his arm. “What happened?,” I asked, concerned. “Plasma,” he replied.

I knew that some homeless people sold plasma. But I didn’t know the details, so I asked him to tell me about it, and he did.

You get $20 on your first visit and then $30 for each visit after that. You have to wait 72 hours between visits. You’re supposed to eat before you go, so you won’t pass out.

Your weight determines how much plasma you can give. You hold a handle and squeeze it until the container fills up, and then your blood (minus plasma) goes back into your body.

I felt a little queasy just hearing him explain it. I asked if he sees a lot of homeless people when he goes to the plasma center.

He frowned and said, “Yeah. There’s a lot of homeless people there. Some of ‘em have their dope dealer meet ‘em in the parking lot.”

[sigh.]

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Posted in Addiction, Homeless

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