TBI & Homelessness

It’s hard to believe that it has been almost 5 years since we found Dan, the father of our beautiful 3 children. He had been missing for 2 years. We remember the day  & the time we all reunited even though each one of us had mixed feelings. Anger, sadness, hope, excitement, love, tenderness, fear, acceptance, and loyalaty. Even in the midst of those, we knew It was Our family! Brain injury, divorce, separate lives, whatever…we were still family! We needed each other!

Looking back we have been able to see the beauty in taking the difficult steps thru homelessness. Dan had struggled with Brain Injury and yet had the self awareness to feel guilt and not want his family to suffer.  And yet we had done everything to help him and he refused. We couldn’t convince him to stay on his medication or take care of himself. The Community Mental Health System dropped the ball and his Social Security because he didn’t show up to his Dr. Appointment?!! Can you believe that? It still makes me mad!

Anyway, we did what we needed and wanted to do for our family member. We searched, put out the missing reports, and prayed. Finally, we were able to locate him. Our girls went down to convince him to come home. We were able to get the proper care, hospitalization, and a home where he can live and be cared for. We petitioned the court for a guardian for him. After the last few years, he has reconnected with his friend, his children, his grandchildren, and his life. It may not look like it could’ve been before the brain injury, but he is off the streets and has food to eat.

I’m sure Dan has many stories to tell about being on the streets. Someday, I’ll share them. I do know he lived in the desert for some time. His backpack full of cans of food, sleeping bag, and a change of clothes. He kept a knife on his leg for many reasons. Mainly because of the danger. His leap off the bridge is what put him in the hospital and a free bus ticket home. He had the plate in his leg replaced so he could walk again. He had to have 4 teeth pulled because of the lack of nutrition and dental healthcare.

But…we are SO thankful to have him back home. Even though he lives in an Adult Foster Care Home, he is still able to spend time with his family. His daughters pick him up frequently for movies, football games, dinners, and family holidays. His friend takes him to work out and to church. He walked his daughter down the aisle when she married!! He went to his son’s football game! He was there for the birth of his two blessed grandchildren!! Sometimes, he even mows my yard!

We made the right choice to search for Dan. We made the right choice to not give up.

I wonder…did you get the memo?  Mental Illness, High Blood Pressure, Job Loss, Down Syndrome, Diabetes, Cancer….YOU name it affects the unit… the family…the home…the community…the city…our country! We all are affected.

We all have a choice. Walk away? or Walk thru?

We made the best choice for us.

You will find additional links under this page with the stories of the process of ending homelessness for our loved one.