Human

We all have stories. Our pasts are filled with memories that remind us of how we have come to be where we are today. Oftentimes we do not think about the stories hidden behind the eyes of people we come across in our lives. We base our judgments on appearance and although we may think we know a person we don’t. 

As I said before people are well-known to follow stereotypes and base many of their life decisions on these stereotypes. When it comes to helping the homeless many people choose to look the other way because of the stereotypical idea that the majority of homeless people are either drug addicts or mentally unstable. The very idea of approaching them, even if it is in broad daylight, causes peoples’ hearts to beat fast in fear.

Well, even if they are drug addicts or are mentally unstable that does not necessarily mean that they are a threat. Like all the rest of us they are dealing with obstacles the only difference is that theirs may be more difficult to overcome than most other people. Hearing about what happened in their lives that led them to become homeless may change our overall view of the homeless.

When people think of drug addicts they oftentimes view them as weak people or people who are completely careless. But I do not think that all drug addicts are weak nor do I think that do not care. Many did not have the intention of getting hooked on drugs which we should take into consideration before labeling them as careless. In most cases people just use drugs as a way to escape the stress of their everyday lives, but when it gets out of hand they have trouble getting off of them. With that said we should remember that we all make mistakes but our mistakes should not define who we are. A drug addict is a person like any other. Sure they have trouble with drugs but that does not necessarily make them a bad person.

The mentally disabled face just as much judgment as addicts. Many people have a problem seeing someone who is disabled. It makes them uncomfortable because they have little knowledge of mental disabilities. Others believe that those who are disabled have are dangerous especially since many of the crimes seen on television are committed by the mentally unstable.

As someone with an Autistic brother I know for a fact that those with disabilities are not always a threat and that awareness helps to create an environment in which the disabled can live more comfortably in. Ignorance causes the disabled to lead isolated lives and intensifies their behaviors. That is why disabled homeless people oftentimes look so lost. At one point they may have at least had the support of their family and if they lost their family then they pretty much lost everything. The world that once made sense fell apart in front of them and since nobody was there to help them they continue to be lost in their thoughts. Others may have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, most often times found in those who fought in war. There is also the possibility of brain damage caused by a tragic incident.

Whatever it is if we can find a way to provide more services to the mentally disabled then we would not only be getting them off the streets, but we would also be providing them an opportunity to receive treatment and be safe. Just because they have a disability does not make them any less valuable than people considered “normal”. Instead of allowing them to get lost in the world we should help them feel as if they belong.

At First Day I have not only read stories of the residents, but I have also met people who have experienced what it is like to be homeless and how it was that they got to that point. With what I found I hope to help people gain a better understanding of not only the homeless but people in general. Like I said before, everybody has a story to tell but regardless of our story when it comes down to it we are all the same. We all make mistakes, we all do things that others may not understand, and we are all human.