[Rayzerm]

Poco,
Thank you for posting the story of your experience. It is, I think, something that everyone should read. It is a real reality check.
Thank you once again.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

George There is one thing that I learned from that experience,meeting who I met there. No one is ever "proofed", Let me re-emphasize - NO one ever. I have met in my lifetime one former NFL member who ended up homeless. I have met a professor who chose to be homeless(Different I know). Former businessmen, people from affluent families. The list goes on. People who you would never think would be homeless,end up homeless.
Having said that, there are things you can do to make it nearly impossible.Still it can happen given the right set of circumstances. My particular situation I trusted someone too much.Didn't take care of myself,didn't insure I had the right possessions. I slid into a Depression and couldn't stop my slide into Homelessness. One small event triggered it all. One innocent seeming phone call started the downward spiral.

[Hagusofnwn]

Thank you for this window into a part of your life. I have no context to frame this around and now more than ever I am glad there is this place, this community of individuals who without condition share their knowledge and experiences for the benefit of all.

Your story is a wake up call to those who go through life believing they are immune or somehow protected from “unforeseen consequences”. What I find truly encouraging is at some point you found the way back. I hope members and guests alike will stop and read this “gem” here on ST.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Folks I know some of you think this is a moving story, and I survived something "horrible". I am Humbled by your replies, however I don't see it as if I did anything special or spectacular. To me I view it as if I had been in a Car Accident and related the story to you. It isn't as if I set out on some grand adventure into the Wilderness with the end purpose of writing a story about it. It happened. I told the story. I hope you gain something from it. I do appreciate all the kind words, really I do. I just don't deal well with all the praise,for doing what I had to do. It's not you, it's me. I didn't do anything special,really I didn't. The fact that you can gain something from this is enough for me. The fact that you don't view me as some scumbag Bum is an added bonus. I "imported" this to possibly help someone who may end up having something similar happen, so hopefully they will have some information that I didn't have.I don't deal well with special recognition for "just doing my job", I just did what I had to do. Nothing more,nothing less. I am not anyone special, just a "normal" guy.( yeah right LOL) Thank you. Acceptance for who and what I am is all I ever wanted in life. You have given me that. I am not humble I assure you, so this is not false humility. I just don't see the need for the praise.

Hopefully some of the others who have been homeless, or near homeless will pitch in with their perspective. I chose a different route than most others that are homeless. Mainly because of my background and skill sets. What worked for me may not work for you,in the same situation,because of different skill sets.

[Celticwarrior]

Well, Unswydd shared her story as well, and I am sure we can get input from Ivan when he is able to get access again, since he is or has been in that same boat. I know there are at least a couple of members that have talked briefly about their days on the streets in earlier posts, and hopefully they will take your example and tell their stories as well.

It is a very real thing, being homeless, not having a place that you can feel safe and secure, never being able to own much beyond what is in your pack. Eventually, you have nothing of value, and the climb back UP is a lot harder than the path that led you down. I have some friends, good friends, that have had this experience, and I wouldn't have ever wished that on anyone I knew. Like it or not, most people are only a paycheck or two from real trouble, and sudden unemployment or an expensive illness can put you out of your home and onto the streets (or into the woods) very quickly. Sadly, you would have a lot of company there these days. I haven't seen this many homeless out there since Reagan stopped federal funding of psychiatric hospitals in the 80's, and millions of patients were curbed with no where to go. Many were vets with serious mental problems, and even the VA couldn't help them. It is now a situation where people with wives/husbands and small children are being forced to live in their cars or in public shelters by the thousands in every big city in America. Having some survival skills may help once you are out there, but sooner or later you will run out of food, get sick, or need help and no one will be there. It is no place to be if you can help it.

Thanks again, Poco. There are sadly some folks who may be reading this thread even now, from a laptop outside a Starbucks or from a plastic chair in front of a free library computer, who could have used this info a month ago, but now it's too late. Hopefully, it can help those who haven't gone this far to try harder to stop their slide and save themselves before they wind up out there.

EDIT: Hmm, this is from my state today. Just another reason why you don't want to be homeless.
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091...398/1409/METRO

Originally Posted by pocomoonskyeyes

Folks I know some of you think this is a moving story, and I survived something "horrible". I am Humbled by your replies, however I don't see it as if I did anything special or spectacular. To me I view it as if I had been in a Car Accident and related the story to you. It isn't as if I set out on some grand adventure into the Wilderness with the end purpose of writing a story about it. It happened. I told the story. I hope you gain something from it. I do appreciate all the kind words, really I do. I just don't deal well with all the praise,for doing what I had to do. It's not you, it's me. I didn't do anything special,really I didn't. The fact that you can gain something from this is enough for me. The fact that you don't view me as some scumbag Bum is an added bonus. I "imported" this to possibly help someone who may end up having something similar happen, so hopefully they will have some information that I didn't have.I don't deal well with special recognition for "just doing my job", I just did what I had to do. Nothing more,nothing less. I am not anyone special, just a "normal" guy.( yeah right LOL) Thank you. Acceptance for who and what I am is all I ever wanted in life. You have given me that. I am not humble I assure you, so this is not false humility. I just don't see the need for the praise.

Hopefully some of the others who have been homeless, or near homeless will pitch in with their perspective. I chose a different route than most others that are homeless. Mainly because of my background and skill sets. What worked for me may not work for you,in the same situation,because of different skill sets.

[Screaming Eagle]

Poco,
Thank you for your courage in baring your heart and experience to us all. It's a great testimony and Truth that we all need to hear.
I am part of a street ministry to homeless people in Galveston. We give them food, offer to pray, give clothing, help people make connections etc. It's an odd truth that some people really do 'choose' to live that lifestyle because of the freedom from 'systems' that is inherent. It's a touching testimony because it touches the 'fragility' in every single one of us. It's also a call to 'sensitizing' us to conditions of people that we'd ordinarily look past and maybe even grumble about.
The interdependence on each other (because there is no other structure of safety) is remarkable and I've seen it happen time and again. There are people who are natural leaders that rise from the 'muck' of life to lead and protect with bravery most people wouldn't believe. I know a friend that was ministering in Galveston who was confronted with threats by some drug dealers that didn't want him talking about freedom. It was people from the streets that stepped in front of my friend and told the thugs 'if you want him, you'll have to go through me first'. They knew this guy and backed down even though they had 9mm in their pockets and he had no weapons.
It's amazing to me how many of these people think nothing of themselves first. I cannot tell you how many times I've asked someone what they would like to pray about. Their first response is usually something of thanksgiving for the little they do have and prayer for family or friends.
There is a wealth of experience in your words. Rest assured that it is not for nothing that you experienced that and have related it to each of us this very day.

[George]

Related to this would be how to prevent slide in a first place.

Probably most important is to prepare for the future, like in another thread we spoke about making shopping basket little bit bigger to save some goods for "survival pantry" we should save some money every paycheck too.

Looks like double "expense", but this will give hard cash insurance against lack of income.

If we could insulate ourselves with cash savings for 3, 5 maybe 10 years, that would be some insurance!

[lpm67]

Thanks for the info Poco, definitely worth keeping in mind. I never really thought about the hierarchy side of it before but I guess that makes sense...I've decided that in a similar sit we would be better off in the nearest National park....would have to hide from Doc Staff (Department of Conservation) though as permanent/semi permanent living is not permitted.

[carolina168181]

Poco ---Thank You for sharing your first-hand experiences,very thought provoking.

[JMJKD]

Thanks bro... if you will?
What was the best place you found for base camp and what item did you find most useful in your urban setting?