As most of you are aware, this is our second time being homeless! Trust me I am aware how incredible that sounds too! And for many, you might be thinking how in the heck do you end up homeless once, let alone twice?!First of all we never set out to be in this situation, no one ever does. In fact prior to each situation plans were set up and discussed for bettering what ever was driving us to move. But, you all know what they say about the best plans! With the both situations the most glaring similarity is that each move came after Shawn was hospitalized due to serious symptoms of his Major Depressive and Bipolar disorder. If anyone thinks that he is to blame, you are wrong! I do not blame him! However, with his type of illness there are often behaviours that precipitate other events before things become so serious and he needs to be hospitalized!Often these prescipitators have created some negative impacts in a lot of areas in all of our lives. There are often consequences beyond our control and these become the factors that put us a point that we need to make some radical choices! Now I completely understand that is pretty vague, understand that some of these prescipitators are very personal! The most obvious precipitating event would be that when Shawn is most struggling with his illness, he is unable to work. Again I am not blaming him, that would be foolishness! And for those thinking "Sandy, why not just stay put and figure out to help him where you were?". I have just one simple response, if you have never lived with someone living with Mental illness you will never understand! Shawn is an incredible, caring, loving and doting husband and father. Most of the time, unless you know him well,people are not aware he lives with mental illness. We were/are homeless because Shawn became sick, the situations we were/are in were not conducive to his health and well being, situations created needed drastic undoing and even after careful planning things fell/fall apart! We will do anything to better our situation and try and create the best atmosphere for our family, even if it means taking risks that many wouldn't consider. Such as completely uprooting ourselves! We always put our trust in God to guide us to the best decision and try to follow it by our faith!
Similarities;
assistance is limited
without a proper address it is difficult to get work
there amazing people willing to help
our faith and prayer keeps/kept us strong
Differences;
New Hampshire Montgomery
We lived in a tent We have stayed with family and at hotels
It was during the summer It was in the winter, during the Holidays
I had a job No job
we were surrounded by family No family
we knew the area Shawn only vaguely remembers the area
I was a member of a church been to 1 church once
most landlords were closed minded about No disability discrimination, so far!
renting to us because of Shawn's unseen disability
(most needed to see the infirmity to believe it!)
The biggest similarity between each occasion and the one I struggle to find adequate words for! As a family unit we are stronger! As individuals we are stronger! And even more importantly we would not have been/be able to have cope(d) without all the love and support of our family and friends! We understand the stress and worry that our situation(s) have caused for them. I just hope that when they see the positive outcome, it erases all their doubt and worry!
The first time we were homeless it was nearly 9 years ago. Who would have ever guessed we would be doing it again? You vow to yourself, No not ever again! We have a choice, to acknowledge it, work through it and come to a place where we are stronger and wise and acknowledge that faith brought us here and will see us through or we can crumble and fall apart! We choose to conquer! We reminded the girls just the other day, someday this will be just a distant memory! A story of how we struggled in hardship and then persevered! And even in the most difficult situation, you need to find a reason to laugh!
No comments:
Post a Comment