Ted

This is Ted, or "Teddie" as he introduced himself to me this afternoon with a firm handshake. I made a point to get away from my desk during lunch today and ended up visiting with Ted at the HOAP center in town. HOAP - the Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Project - is an organization helping homeless people live stable and productive lives.

Ted described himself as a 57 year old man who has been homeless since 2004. He's currently living in a 2-person tent that HOAP provided to him. He told me the tent sits on a patch of land not far from downtown and pretty well hidden from direct line of sight. A short time ago, Ted's possessions, all contained within 4 garbage bags, were stolen from his previous sleeping area in town. The move away from town seems to be providing a sense of security, at least for now.

Ted willingly told me that he's been in jail a significant amount over the years. While he wasn't proud of this, he was not reluctant to talk about his jail time, admitting that sometimes jail is safer than being out on the streets because it's warm and there is food.

Suffering from what he described as chronic depression and severe anxiety, Ted talked with me about healthcare. "It's hard to get the medication I need..." he said. He's suffering from bronchitis right now and worries it could worsen. Ted also suffers from some old sports injuries. The injuries were sustained when he used to play basketball and volleyball regularly with friends. His eyes lit up as he talked about the "sports" days. "Those days are over. I can't play anymore..." he told me.

Ted talked a lot about stereotypes that people carry with them. "People avoid the homeless. Go out of their way to cross the street so they don't have to be close to us." He looked down at the sidewalk as he talked. "Most of us are harmless. We're people."

As our conversation drew to an end, Ted told me that John Lennon was a favorite hero. "John Lennon was for peace, I'm for peace, too." Ted reassured me, as we shook hands and said goodbye. "I'm for peace, too..."

Teddie, a thoughtful, charming man living on the streets. Although I live no where near him, he's my neighbor, a fellow community member struggling to get by in a world that too often doesn't acknowledge his existence. Thanks, Teddie...for making my day a bit brighter. Hope to see you again - I'm sure there's still lots to talk with you about, my friend!