The year I was homeless

Comment

Comment by Vicky on December 2, 2009 at 8:53pm

This video and Becky Blanton are remarkable, I think it's about losing and then developing again confidence and the 'winning' attitude. Self-confidence is driven by how you see yourself.

Comment by Ali on November 27, 2009 at 6:35pm

Robbin,
Thanks for the insightful comments. It is great to know about such concerned people who are there for the needy.
As for this specific clip, I was more interested in the clear and concise reasons that turned her a homeless (underestimating the life-changing impacts of "a more casual lifestyle"+depression). Becoming a homeless is probably an extreme and an obvious case. In many other cases, a star becomes a has-been or ... It was also great to see that she has managed to emerge as a successful person again; the Walmart moment and ....

Comment by Robbin on November 26, 2009 at 1:26pm

Ali, This is an all-too-familiar story in American society. As I child I never understood why the richest country in the world could have people living in broken-down cardboard boxes, subway passageways and lying sick on the heat grates located in every urban city. My aunt and uncle have dedicated their life to helping the homeless in Washington, D.C., inside the circular highway called the beltway, around the nations' capital. Dr. Janelle Goetcheus and Rev. Allen Goetcheus (my maiden name). They run and operate eight homeless facilities, offering spiritual and medical care for people who've literally falling through the cracks of society and found themselves without a home, and as Blanton opines, "without a thread of hope". Google: Christ House Washington DC to learn more. Back in the nineties, I followed the mission of Mitch Snyder who went on a hunger strike to rally for homeless rights. Though his shelters were ridden with rape and bedlam, his brass band intentions to usher the issue into a public forum was, at times, a noble mission. He, unfortunately, killed himself with an electrical cord and his truthful voice was no longer heard. Becky Blanton's story has grounded my thoughts today, sending me to the core of what makes us all just human beings. Thanks for sharing the video.

Comment by Petra on November 18, 2009 at 5:44pm

Terrific!! Thanks for posting.

Comment by Bea Stanford on November 18, 2009 at 9:59am

Great video, thanks Ali.