My friend over at Stone Soup Station (and HomelessTales.com contributor) Steve Samra filmed this powerful video. I wanted to post it here because I believe it to be a particularly important one to watch. For anyone who believes that I consider myself as bad off as (or worse off than) so many other homeless people… I don’t; I’m incredibly lucky, and I know it.
John Doe is a Vietnam veteran. He lives under a bridge and receives absolutely no financial assistance from the government. Every day, he is forced to self-catheterize himself several times, a painful and humiliating process. In the video behind the cut, he bravely demonstrates this for Steve while answering questions about himself, his homelessness, and his experience with the American health care system.
John received an honorable discharge.
I just found your blog from a link on the Working Writer’s Newsletter. Thank you so much for creating this. Maybe your current situation is a real gift. The Universe works in mysterious ways sometimes… I’ve had more than one great opportunity lately come out of something that I thought was really bad mojo.
Has he tried to go to the Veterans Hospital for assistance. Our uncle was discharged with failure to adjust and they still offer a lot of assistance with his medical care (i.e. nurses coming to the house, long term treatment at one of their wound care centers, etc).
Why not check out Examiner.com for a writing gig? (I’m not a spammer, I’m one of the Tea Examiners)
Holy crap. There is absolutely no excuse that anyone, no less a veteran should ever be in that position. Where is the V.A. in all of this?
I’m confused as to why doesn’t he get care at the VA? Also, why doesn’t he receive other veteran’s benefits (retirement)? Something is not right about this, either he is not being truthful or he needs to be talking to the veteran’s assoc.
Well, even before this economic recession this issue of veterans not getting benefits was widespread. Nothing to be confused about there is all kind of politics that goes on in the name of fiscal discipline and budget cuts. The fact is that the Vetern are left to beg or to go through the humiliation and agony of inserting a CAT to be able to urinate. God bless America!!! right!
Dear mlronning,
The Veteran’s Association in theory offers wonderful benefits, but they are very difficult and time-consuming to access initially. This is why Steve Samra (the gentleman doing the interview, who runs stonesoupstation.blogspot.com) are helping them to navigate the bureaucratic part of it. Steve works for Operation Standdown, an outreach program for the homeless, and assists people such as John Doe in accessing the benefits to which they are entitled.
Thank you for your comment at tGGtH
~Bri
I was blown away at seeing this. I’m not an emotional man, but this brought a tear to my eye.
I am outraged at how we treat fellow citizens. Most powerful country on the planet? I think not. I believe we are judged by how the least fortunate of us is treated.
This video has changed my perspective.
It is absolutely shameful how we treat our fellow citizens of this country or the world. There is no excuse for the lack of access to health care.
The VA, like SS, is a nightmare to folks like this without an advocate. Even then it is not guaranteed that there will be care provided. Many vets did not qualify for care because their medical condition, PTSD, did not make them eligible for assistance. The same is true for many other conditions. If there was access for everyone to health care, the VA could focus only on care that is specifically related to military duty and have all the medical care, like the gentleman in this clip, provided in the care available to all.
“This video has been removed for a Terms of Service Violation”.
There is a program for homeless veterans. He should contact his local VA MEdical Center and speak with the Homeless Programs Office. The VA Funds over 1100 beds with Non-Profit/501c3 Providers. I am not sure in what city this veteran is located but every medical center has a homeless prgrams office. The veteran can stay for up to 24 months and receive shelter and supportive services. Millions of dollars are spent annualy to support homeless veterans.
MLronning, Micelle ~ he does get care from the VA. It was the VA that sent him out with the catheters.
He also receives Social Security, as I believe I mentioned on the video, but I was the one who got that started for him and he receives his first check in about 40 days from now.
Trust me, there’s nothing “funny” about his situation; thousands of people are on the streets who have access to benefits but either don’t realize it or don’t know how to access them. It’s why street outreach is absolutely critical in our cities and towns…..
I am wondering just when ppl will WAKE UP~! to the drastic shortcomings of the health-care system that plagues the American People!
This one man has shown u how far u have failed to be human beings in ur country~! How many who view this will try to put the blame on him for not knowing his options or as one person said “he must be lying”. Why when u hear over and over how the veterans of Vietnam are neglected and discarded like so many bad apples, do u continue to look the other way??
How many times have u put the blame on the unfortunates, rather than those who r in a position to help…Ur politicians and those of Wealth who spend their days taking more and more $ from those who can least afford it?? When is enough, ENOUGH??
I truly am disgusted. and this man is just ONE man….look around~! I DARE U~!!! open ur eyes, ears and heart… THEN make a Difference!!!
amen to that !
This video makes me incredibly thankful I am Canadian. I know our healthcare isn’t perfect, but this would never happen. Coverage for my husband and I is $96.00 a month,(BC medical) but we don’t have to even pay that because medical and dental is paid by my husband’s employer. Even if his employer didn’t pick up the payments and we couldn’t afford it we could apply for hardship and the cost is either dramatically cut or you don’t need to pay until you can. I have the comfort of knowing I can walk into any hospital in Canada and get the help I need and not have to worry about the cost, and for that I am incredibly greatful. Mr. Doe, I sincerly hope you get the help you need and deserve. Please know there are people thinking of you. I wish you the best of luck.
This video made me cry. I know our government does not take care of those veterans whom fought for our freedom and rights AND theirs in past wars, and even present wars going on today.
It disgusts me at how others have to make up organizations FOR our veteran’s because the system overlooks them once back from tour. SO many like him are out there, like B R Vivian posted, Look around you AMERICA this is just ONE person in ONE city in ONE state….It is ALL over the USA.
NO one should have to endure what this man “John” goes through. Every.Single. Day.
Funny, they build more prisons to house more criminals yet cannot build and house veterans that fought for them while they sat back. Oddly they still sit back and do nothing for the veterans of our country.
I pray he gets all the help he can and many kudos to you Steve for speaking on his behalf! Thank him for coming forward. Let him know alot of us ARE thinking of him and I too wish him the best. ♥HUGS♥ to “John”
I hope this gets to our representatives in congress! What a crying shame! My father also served overseas but received care after his service. This can happen to any one of us! Help reform healthcare for all of us!