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Remembering homeless people in winter

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  • #1

    Remembering homeless people in winter

    Originally posted by BBC
    Homeless man's coffin carried through Totnes

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]173054[/ATTACH]

    The coffin of a man who died while sleeping rough on the streets of a Devon town has been carried by local people during his funeral.

    Michael Gething, 42, died near the Methodist Church in Totnes. It is believed he died of hypothermia.

    Mr Gething is thought to have been living in the town for about 18 months.

    South Hams District Council said it would be assessing whether any premises in Totnes might be suitable for a shelter or hostel.
    'Part of the community'

    Local undertaker Rupert Callender, who arranged the funeral, said: "I hope people might put their judgements aside about what life on the streets is like, and what people who live on the streets are like.

    "I hope they can see that they are ordinary people who have fallen on hard times."

    Jonathan Taylor, who took part in the funeral proceedings, said: "There is a sense that this is a really important community event."

    Melissa Worsley, who lives in Totnes, said people such as Mr Gething "are part of the community and we should look after them".
    Michael Gething's funeral in Totnes Michael Gething died while sleeping in an alleyway

    She added: "If they can't cope with society they still have the right to be looked after."

    Earlier in the week Graham Walker, who used to be homeless in the area, slept out for 48 hours to raise funds towards Mr Gething's funeral.

    Mr Walker said: "He died on the street. I think that, as a community, we should be aware of that fact and acknowledge it, and do something about it."

    South Hams Council said it was saddened by the death of Mr Gething, adding he had been offered advice, assistance and accommodation on several occasions.

    It added: "Unfortunately, accommodation is not always available in Totnes and sometimes it may be offered in nearby towns.

    "A place was offered to Mr Gething in a supported accommodation unit in Dartmouth, known as St Barnabas, but he did not take up the place."

    The council added that, in the event of severe weather, it had an emergency protocol in place which sought to ensure people living on the streets were offered help and accommodation.
    Not posting this to start a big debate about anything, just as a reminder how hard life can be for those people who have fallen on hard times.
    Attached Files
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  • #2
    What, are you some kind of socialist?

    Comment

    • #3
      Even our right wing extremists are socialists in Americans eyes.

      Comment

      • #4
        Given the guy in question rejected shelter, he kinda brought this on himself.
        I make no bones about my moral support for [terrorist] organizations. - chegitz guevara
        For those who aspire to live in a high cost, high tax, big government place, our nation and the world offers plenty of options. Vermont, Canada and Venezuela all offer you the opportunity to live in the socialist, big government paradise you long for. –Senator Rubio

        Comment

        • #5
          See.

          Comment

          • #6
            American Christians are just lovely people

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by gribbler View Post
              American Christians are just lovely people
              I'm sorry the man died but what else could the local government have done to have saved his life other than offer him the supported accommodation he rejected?
              I make no bones about my moral support for [terrorist] organizations. - chegitz guevara
              For those who aspire to live in a high cost, high tax, big government place, our nation and the world offers plenty of options. Vermont, Canada and Venezuela all offer you the opportunity to live in the socialist, big government paradise you long for. –Senator Rubio

              Comment

              • #8
                The available accomodation was in a different town. For someone with nothing, that can be a very big ask, even if he was actually able to get there. Homeless people usually have friends where they live, and giving up that fragile support network can be too much for someone to bear.

                Comment

                • #9
                  He'd only been in town for 18 months. I'm going to call BS on him having lifelong friends in Totnes.
                  I make no bones about my moral support for [terrorist] organizations. - chegitz guevara
                  For those who aspire to live in a high cost, high tax, big government place, our nation and the world offers plenty of options. Vermont, Canada and Venezuela all offer you the opportunity to live in the socialist, big government paradise you long for. –Senator Rubio

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    You're not Christian, are you, DD?
                    A lot of Republicans are not racist, but a lot of racists are Republican.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by DinoDoc View Post
                      He'd only been in town for 18 months. I'm going to call BS on him having lifelong friends in Totnes.
                      Who said anything about lifelong?

                      Here's a nice example of how important friends can be to people with very little in life.

                      Originally posted by HP
                      Homeless Veteran Tony's Gift Goes Viral On Reddit

                      In a post that's going viral on Reddit, a bearded man with weathered skin smiles for a photo next to a beautiful girl.

                      [ATTACH=CONFIG]173056[/ATTACH]

                      Redditor pmrhobo identifies the unlikely pair of friends as his sister and Tony, a homeless veteran who hangs out near her workplace. According to his sister, who typed up the story for pmrhobo to share, the two of them talk and eat lunch together often.

                      "Tony tells me about his war stories, loved ones, and who should win the Super Bowl," she wrote in the Dec. 5 post. "I tell Tony about my problems, loved ones, and how I don't really care who should win the Super Bowl."

                      Over the past month, which she described as one of the hardest times of her life, Tony helped her navigate some tough personal issues.

                      "At times there really seemed as if there wouldn't be solace," she wrote. "Tony was there for me, listened each day as things got worse and surely pushed me to move forward and continue working toward my dreams and ambitions."

                      One day, Tony's steady support culminated when he made a gesture that took her completely by surprise:

                      I was walking outside still feeling sorry for myself listening to self-loathing music when I felt a tap on the shoulder. It was Tony. Tony looks at me more seriously than he usually does and says he has something for me. From his army jacket pocket, he pulls out a watch head. Tony takes my hand and gently places the broken antique in my palm.

                      [ATTACH=CONFIG]173055[/ATTACH]

                      He says to me, "I don't have much but I wanted you to know that you have done what many others would not simply by being my friend."
                      As Tony walked away, she started to cry. At that moment, a realization took hold.

                      "When you reach out and do something kind for someone less fortunate, you get back not only what you gave, but infinitely more," she wrote.

                      Users who commented on the thread seemed to agree, including one who said he used to be homeless.

                      "Every single time a 'regular person' treated me like a human being, it was refreshing and heartwarming," wrote Franco_DeMayo. "I'm glad that Tony got the chance to touch your life, as I can confidently say that it probably meant a whole lot to him to be able to give back in some way."
                      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...usaolp00000003
                      Attached Files

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by MrFun View Post
                        You're not Christian, are you, DD?
                        Why do you ask?
                        I make no bones about my moral support for [terrorist] organizations. - chegitz guevara
                        For those who aspire to live in a high cost, high tax, big government place, our nation and the world offers plenty of options. Vermont, Canada and Venezuela all offer you the opportunity to live in the socialist, big government paradise you long for. –Senator Rubio

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          If you really wanted to help the homeless this winter, you'd try to emit as many greenhouse gases as possible. Coal warms the Earth.
                          John Brown did nothing wrong.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Originally posted by DinoDoc View Post
                            Why do you ask?
                            You seem to lack certain characteristics, like basic compassion, that Christians are suppose to embrace.
                            A lot of Republicans are not racist, but a lot of racists are Republican.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Felch View Post
                              If you really wanted to help the homeless this winter, you'd try to emit as many greenhouse gases as possible. Coal warms the Earth.
                              Maybe we should try something that won't create major problems elsewhere?

                              Comment

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