We all know the PIA homless ETOHer and or drug abuser. We also know the guy who really is apreciative of the clean bed, shower and food.who comes into the hosp when homeless.
Yesterday I helped cook and serve food for a homeless shelter. Everyone was nice, generally very clean (one guy smelled). They were articulate, sober, and appreciative.
A disproportionate number were 5 to 600 lbs or more. Kind of ironic that I was feeding them. chuckle. a few looked like the typical homeless. Many you would never in a million years guess were homeless.
As expected there were one or 2 families, a few women but the majority were male. Not only were they male but many looked and acted very able. What happens? Why is this the case?
Should you ever find yourselves in the shoes of those you are judging, you will be painfully aware of the eyes of those who judge you.
There are MANY, MANY reasons for homelessness, and by far not all are drug related, nor is mental illness, or lack of education always a given.
What IS important is not the homelessness itself, but what the person DOES about their situation. This is what matters in the end. This is what can be judged if there is anything we could/should judge at all.
In the brief moments we have contact with these unfortunate individuals, we cannot look into their soul, know their past, or what caused their current circumstances. And without having some understanding of the above, how could we possibly judge?
Be kind to all, and treat all with dignity.. for regardless of their current outward appearance, even the homeless have dignity.
The eyes speak volumes.. theirs.. AND yours.
Keep in mind they might even have been just like YOU at one time, not too long ago...... and may be striving against all odds to get their life back again.
Tread gently.
Kindness goes a long way to someone who is hurting. As nurses we have tremendous opportunity to heal more than physical wounds. One act of kindness, a warm smile, a simple touch ... can bring renewed hope to that individual to keep swimming. Many are not asking for a life ring to be tossed to them, but simply to know that someone else sees their inherent worth as a human being, regardless of appearance or current circumstance. That is enough for them to want to keep their head above water just one more day.
That "homeless person" you once judged may well just be the nurse you are working with today.
Should you ever find yourselves in the shoes of those you are judging, you will be painfully aware of the eyes of those who judge you.
There are MANY, MANY reasons for homelessness, and by far not all are drug related, nor is mental illness, or lack of education always a given.
What IS important is not the homelessness itself, but what the person DOES about their situation. This is what matters in the end. This is what can be judged if there is anything we could/should judge at all.
In the brief moments we have contact with these unfortunate individuals, we cannot look into their soul, know their past, or what caused their current circumstances. And without having some understanding of the above, how could we possibly judge?
Be kind to all, and treat all with dignity.. for regardless of their current outward appearance, even the homeless have dignity.
The eyes speak volumes.. theirs.. AND yours.
Keep in mind they might even have been just like YOU at one time, not too long ago...... and may be striving against all odds to get their life back again.
Tread gently.
Kindness goes a long way to someone who is hurting. As nurses we have tremendous opportunity to heal more than physical wounds. One act of kindness, a warm smile, a simple touch ... can bring renewed hope to that individual to keep swimming. Many are not asking for a life ring to be tossed to them, but simply to know that someone else sees their inherent worth as a human being, regardless of appearance or current circumstance. That is enough for them to want to keep their head above water just one more day.
That "homeless person" you once judged may well just be the nurse you are working with today.
I couldn't have said it better myself! I think you are right on!
Homeless is a condition based on a situation. I have ministered to the homeless- started a program for hats socks and gloves in winter weather of 29-39 degrees. Weight has nothing to do with alcholics-drug users and various people that have ARM loans that have started off with a home payment of 1200 and is not $3800 a month- many of my neighbors losing their homes. As a person that works with lots of nurses it's hard to deal with the drunk the police brought into ER. It's a strain on emotions. I am out there with the people of the streets. I bring something food or a prayer on the spot. Say your prayers that you are succesful and you are on the inside looking out. Count your blessings and thanks for working in a food kitchen- you will be blessed.
Big boned cannot account for people 500-600 especially if they are in a hospital- the danger that goes with moving a person goes beyond range of motion. I agree that 500-600lbs of weight is nothing to carry for anyone that really desires to live. but then who am I too judge?
I once had a "homeless" man who was supposedly living under a bridge in our little city...who was noncompliant diabetic. SW had gotten him supplies so he could take his own blood sugars etc. He had numerous places to go for help...including his family that was so upset with this lifestyle. HIS biggest concern was was he going to get his Viagra refilled. What!!
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
I once had a "homeless" man who was supposedly living under a bridge in our little city...who was noncompliant diabetic. SW had gotten him supplies so he could take his own blood sugars etc. He had numerous places to go for help...including his family that was so upset with this lifestyle. HIS biggest concern was was he going to get his Viagra refilled. What!!
Sometimes when life is sad we cling to that which gives us peace. o.0
I once had a "homeless" man who was supposedly living under a bridge in our little city...who was noncompliant diabetic. SW had gotten him supplies so he could take his own blood sugars etc. He had numerous places to go for help...including his family that was so upset with this lifestyle. HIS biggest concern was was he going to get his Viagra refilled. What!!
Did anyone watch Oprah the other day? They discussed a recent documentary that was made for Showtime. It is about a homeless man and what he would do if he was given $100,000, CASH! This man was not mentally ill, nor a drug abuser (he had to pass tests given by Medical Professionals). He was offered financial counseling, mental health counseling and ample job offers. He refused everything but the money. He blew through the cash in a year. He didn't take advantage of any of anything offered to him....not even a job (because he has problems with 'authority figures'). He just took the cash.
The people that made the documentary admitted that they were a bit shocked and disappointed in the outcome. The were positive that a person on the streets, given all of the right opportunities, plus a lot of money and emotional support, would choose to change their lives for the better. They were wrong.
I use to do a lot of Volunteer work for the Homeless. Many homeless were Mentally Ill or Substance Abusers. Believe it or not, there were a lot of people that did not have either of these issues and chose to live on the streets. (I'll save that for another thread).
Anyway, back to the Viagra comment. Most all of the free clinics in my area have stopped prescribing ED drugs. They will refer these individuals to other MDs that specialize in diseases that they may cause ED. Even then it can be difficult for uninsured men to get the drugs (for free) because impotence is not a life threatening condition.
I was told that the clinics were forced to stop prescribing these meds because the clinics were absolutely flooded with men wanting them. These men took up thousands of appointments....only to ask for ED drugs....nothing else.
Same with Narcotics/Opioids. The Pharmacies at the clinics don't even carry them anymore. There is a BIG sign on the entrance door stating this, too. Obviously, the clinic will see a person having pain issues, but the patient will be given a referral to a Pain Management MD so they can receive the appropriate pain control and prescriptions for pain medication.
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
$100,000 dollars and a free ear to a shrink can not undo years of making the wrong choices and dealing with it. Try it with a workaholic who avoids his family, chooses work over life and I bet less would be shocked but the outcome would virtually be the same.
Opportunities abound everywhere. Some people are fortunate enough to recognize them, some are better at finding them, others couldn't see them if they attacked them in a well lit alley.
Addiction, dysfunction and lifestyles come in all kinds of packages. Pretty or not.
suzi-Q
115 Posts
I know. I have my moments too. I like your attitude. Sounds like you try hard...:bowingpur
Hope I get to work with someone like you someday...