It’s ironic. During my time in politics, and during my time as a veteran struggling in the Orlando housing crisis, my point of views have been very different.
There has be the public relations angle. Lawmakers patting themselves on the back at press conferences and committee hearings. This isn’t a diss. They’ve usually done something good for the homeless veterans community, as futile as it maybe as soon as they stop watching the money.
And then there is the on the ground, day to day, that I’m living now. Sadness, hopelessness, doubt. All homeless veterans often have is themselves. Family has either passed on or moved on through divorce.
There is no one. Certainly none of the politicians.
It’s lonely as hell. It’s why many homeless veterans will give up. They have no one to recover for.
And while business may promote veterans day specials and pledge their love for our brothers and sisters, Lord help them if one of our most struggling veterans walk in their store or have to use their bathroom. It’s happened to me.
In Orlando, our homeless veterans can’t even rest on the sidewalk if someone believes their obstructing the right of way.
We must do better.
So many of the people I’ve met don’t even know where they’ll go when they recover. They don’t have someone to look forward to seeing.
I can’t even imagine what that must be like.
Without people to love, it’s hard to dream, If you can’t dream, there is no hope. And if hope is lost, then it’s only a matter of time before we forget who we are.
We have to do a better job caring for homeless veterans during their toughest times. Not just when the TV cameras are rolling.
Friends. Times are very tough. If you could help out the blog, below, I’d appreciate it. Thank you.
Next: Read about tech schools can be a lifeline for older homeless veterans
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