Reply #117: You can't help people who are not willing to help themselves. [View All]

[eagertolearn]

There seems to be a point of no return for many in this group. Many are on the path of self destruct. They need to be reached way before they reach this point. Some are never reachable but they still need to be taken care of. I hope we can learn to do something more humane like Norway who tries rehab and retraining and if that doesn't work they give these people a place to live so they can get their medications and food. I think it actually starts way back in school with learning disabilities and lack of self esteem (which also cames from a dysfunctional up bringing, abuse etc) stemming from this. We need to look at the whole picture. In the mean time a warm jacket or blanket (and other clothes), a food card, a shower card a smile and conversation means more than you can imagine to these people. My brother (see story above somewhere)was given many jobs and had so much support from people who tried to "save" him but when ever he looked like he was doing well he would bottom out once again and choose the streets over a place to live and a job. It is very hard to understand but usually involves mental illness. We have so far to go in this area. Not all homeless are in this group like my brother. There are many people now living this way because of the economy and really want a job to get out of this situation.