Jan 22, 2011
I am a homeless veteran, that by defintion is homeless, but in reality have been living in a program for 17 months. I am just about to move out. I have not had my own place since I was 22 years old, and just trust me that was a very long time ago. I am excited but of course I a little afraid as well. I have done a lot of work to get to this point, I just wasn't homeless, I am an addict (In Recovery), and I also deal with BI-Polar 1 disorder, notice I said deal with not suffer. I am no longer a victim. I am getting all types of help from all types of different places. Just to name a few Dept. of Voc Rehab, Section 8 housing, HPRP for help with my security deposit, financial aid from school for my books, financial aid via pell grants, a fee waiver for my units at school, andlast but not least I receive SSI. All this did not come about overnight, it came by filling out a heap of forms, standing in lines, a S-Load of waiting. The only thing I haven't found out about is help with my utilities, but I know I will. My sincere hope is that some day I will be able to help some other dual diagnosed person find some peace within and not be so willing to self-medicate,or even worse self-destruct. I have spent a lot of my life locked up, I started doing prison time in 1993, I got a new prison # in 1995 and finally discharged that # after 17 years. That is a very long time, but I didn't have to worry about paying the light bill. LOL Anyway if anyone wants to know what steps I took to get to where I am at today, I would gladly share the info. May God Bless you and keep you until then. ezduzitjoey 1/22/11
