Among the Homeless

I took this photo in Flint Township, Michigan. The tent and buggy belong to a homeless person who is actually comparatively well off. As we come to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, I find myself reflecting on how I became homeless, but thank God not for long. My hope is you will think of this person and their dwelling.

You see, I have mental illness and my fate was sealed by DNA. My parents both had mental illness.  This story will focus on me though it is very convoluted. 

In 2011, I found myself going through a divorce. I never knew how much the monthly mortgage payments were or the electric bills, let alone, the water bill. Let this be a guide for everyone. When you are married, this information needs to be shared. I was working part-time in transitional employment. I had worked part-time all my life substitute teaching in the schools or working for newspapers as a reporter, or other part-time positions. I always had health insurance through my husband. My jobs made it possible for me to be on the kids' schedule. I am glad I could be there for my children.

What I learned; however, is what became a very serious problem by not knowing our finances. I was on the phone with Detroit Edison trying to get the electric bill in my name, believe me, no easy task. The mortgage I simply knew I could not pay, but I was not even aware how much was left to pay. The water bill I paid, along with the phone bill. When I got Detroit Edison straightened out, I paid that as well. I did not attempt to pay the taxes.

I was a member of a clubhouse for mental health (psychosocial rehabilitation facility) in Fowlerville, Michigan, known as Genesis House. This offered me stability. It was there I knew Sunshine (name changed). Sunshine came to my aid when he knew I would be homeless and offered his apartment with a spare room that I could sublet. It was July 2011, when I lost the house. I could not bring my dog or cat with me. My cat had leapt out of my arms, and I never saw her again. I had to put my dog (Goldie) down as I could not bring him to the apartment and he had bit someone in the past, so I knew what the humane society would do. I decided to take Goldie to the vet as I wanted to be there when he was put down.

In November, Sunshine was able to celebrate Thanksgiving with each of his parents as they were divorced. Sunshine,38, had two children. Thanksgiving could be hard for me as I lost my dad around that time. The unspeakable happened when I awoke to a noise. It was Sunshine's left leg, I assumed that had fallen off the bed. I felt his pulse, he was dead.

I called my aunt who was older, and asked her what to do and she said, "do nothing." I actually was overwhelmed and went to bed until I realized, I should call the police. The coroner came and the police. I was grateful I knew where Sunshine kept his address book. The police were able to reach his mom. Prior to Sunshine passing away, I gave him a dresser from my home and all my father's suits. I was pleased when his mom asked me if I thought the suit, she selected would be good. I knew in my heart my dad would be pleased. He was a lifelong member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) serving in WWII.

I was rattled by this time as when July came 2011, I was actually contemplating living in a park. What disheartened me was that Livingston County Community Mental Health was going to allow it. Sunshine had rescued me. Now he was gone.

I may have been able to get a roommate as I had already paid for December, but my brothers not knowing I was working part-time in the school system arranged for me to go to a group home. By December 2012, I felt I had no alternative but to run-away as I was being yelled at by the owner for calling the health department about bed bugs. He was mad because it was costing $6,000.

I will share more of this story when I am ready. Just know there are a lot of talented homeless people out there.