Remember Terry? I wrote about him a few weeks ago. He was the homeless veteran that we have been trying to get into rehab at the V.A. hospital. The V.A. did not have room at this time. I haven’t seen Terry for a few days and thought he may have moved deeper into the woods.
I met with Tony Green from the local Knights of Columbus and we decided that we would search the entire area until we found him. Right before I was due to start the search, I was informed that Terry had fallen off a bridge and landed on his head. Two children that were playing found him floating in the water. He had to be flown out of state and he was paralyzed from the neck down.
Several attempts have been made to confirm his medical condition, but due to Hippa laws we have been unable to find out more. If he is indeed paralyzed this will be a prime example of why we need a wrap around program. Here was a man that needed help, wanted help, and had asked for help, but there was no place to go.
How is it possible that the government has billions of dollars in programs and it’s not reaching the lowest level on the street? Where is the problem? Is it a lack of knowledge? How many more must die, be jailed or attacked before we get serious about this problem?
In the sixties some people marched for civil rights. Some Presidents embraced the idea. Some people died for it. They made a difference. They paid a great price. At the time the nation was slow to move forward. Today young people wonder how we could have ever been segregated.
I believe the homeless situation is just as great a cause as the civil rights movement. I believe that someday a new generation will look back and wonder how we ever tolerated such a lack of action and compassion.
Terry was a homeless man that had a great heart, a quick smile, and friendly attitude. He is and will be missed in the homeless community that he was flown out of.
7.14.10
DJ McCoy
