Walking on Past...

I was uptown today in a Major UK city. it broke my heart. To see homeless people sitting beside rubbish bins. Stoned out of their head on spice or whatever the latest cheap crap they to keep themselves spaced out. To forget for a short time what being homeless is all about.

Begging for odd coins from people to feed and clothe themselves, and to just survive another day.

I know you do get professional beggars as well. The odd person who takes advantage of kind caring people who try to help the homeless with a few coins here and there, or food, or even clothing. They make a living out of dressing up as a homeless person, choosing a spot to sit and beg and then pack up later on in the day. Drive away in a nice car, to a warm home.

To me, that is wicked and evil, taking advantage of the real homeless who are truly in need.

A lot of people look down on the homeless and do not even see them at all. Oblivious to them even being alive.

Even some shops and offices and buildings have metal spikes and gates to stop the homeless from sleeping in doorways and alleys.

The irony of all this is being homeless can happen to anyone - me or you - at any time.

For example, take a married couple with kids. The money provider loses the job due to being ill or being made redundant so they can not afford to pay the bills or feed the kids. They lose their house and they are homeless unless they have good family support or decent friends to help them out until they land on their feet again.

A teenager gets abused at home. Walks out. No one to talk him in. They end up homeless with no money.

Not everyone who is homeless is an alcoholic or drug addict. Many people are homeless for so many reasons.

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

Being homeless is a complex thing, There are those who "choose" to be there because Western governments believe mentally ill people can "choose" their fate -- the most misunderstood and difficult category of homeless.

[Onlyme]

That is so true.