Have you ever been homeless? Are you judgemental of those who are?

1. 70

   InspiredHippyposted 13 years ago

   Have you ever been homeless?  Are you judgemental of those who are?
   
   I believe that many Americans are but a paycheck away from homelessness.  I KNOW that even successful,  well put together folks can end up living in a van, RV, car, or if they are lucky, the couch of a friend or loved one.  So, what do you think?  AND, what would you do if you were in this situation?
   
   

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2. 75

   RocketCityWriterposted 13 years ago

   Fortunately, I've never been homeless. Unfortunately, I am sometimes judgmental of homeless people I tend to group all homeless people into one stereotype without giving it much thought - 'they're all drug addicts who don't want a job and if you give them anything they're just going to do bad things with it'. ***I know that's not true, but the few times I've had bad encounters with the homeless have soured my opinion towards the problem as a whole. Obviously, I wouldn't want to be treated poorly if I were homeless which is why it's a continuous mental and moral struggle...

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3. 61

   nightwork4posted 13 years ago

   i have been homeless for a few years. i lived on the streets acroos canada and i learned a lot. my only problem with homeless people is when they give up and try to blame everyone else without trying to get their lives back together. being homeless taught me many things and i seriously think it would do a lot of people good to be homeless for a year or so.

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4. 79

   tlpoagueposted 13 years ago

   I have never experienced being homeless, but I know of others who have. I try not to be judgemental of those that are homeless, although sometimes I catch myself if they are the type that does not want to change it. If there is something I could do to help out, I try.

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5. 60

   unworldlifeposted 13 years ago

   My husband, newborn daughter and I lived out of our car for several months while rebuilding our lives. It was difficult, as both of us still worked and had to "put on a front" for everyone around us. We were shunned because of our decision to live life differently than what our families viewed as "optimal". I must say, those few months in the car brought us closer as a family. We pushed forward with our business and achieved success, all because we were willing to sacrifice the luxury of a home temporarily. We now have a net worth of over $2.5 million, but this would never have been realized if we had taken the conventional path and allowed our lives to be dictated by the actions of others. It was that low point in our lives that brought us to our current high point. See some video from our journeys--
   http://sl.unworldlife.com/pwijg

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6. 68

   ExpandYourMindposted 13 years ago

   I have never been homeless; however, I believe it can happen to just about anyone.  I am not judgmental, because I lived long enough to witness the uncertainly of life. People are homeless for a number of reasons including financial ruin and mental or physical illness.

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7. 71

   Abecedarianposted 13 years ago

   As a child we were, I don't know if you would call it luck, but I had an aunt that was in just as bad a shape as we were and so my parents pulled their resources together with my aunts and we had two families sharing the expenses in order to stay under a roof. Boy was it crowded and we had beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don't hardly eat them at all now. I have never been judgemental of the homeless. We take them blankets in the winter and food when we can. One Christmas we bought the $4 throw blankets at the local Dollar General store and handed them out to the people under the bridge near my moms home. It's not much, but imagine if we ALL gave a little.

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8. 54

   furlontwposted 13 years ago

   Homelessness in this country as well as the world is not going to be decreasing I am afraid. I say this because of the many political and financial ordeals our country is confronted with. There are people losing their jobs everyday and these individuals who were once making excellent wages will at some point require assistance for their basic needs.
   
   Yes, I have been homeless. I have been homeless in Cincinnati and I have been homeless in Florida. I don't blame anybody except myself for my conditions of living at that time. Thankfully, I am no longer homeless and currently own two homes, although I know even this is not an end all be all for homelessness prevention. A tornado could wipe away my homes and I would be right back to the building blocks I started on roughly 5 years ago.
   
   Some are homeless because they have to be and some are homeless because they want to be. There are many avenues in life that one can pursue. There is the military or higher education. I choose the latter, but there are options, they do take time and perserverance. Coming out of a hole in life is like hitting your thumb with a hammer instead of the nail.
   
   As far as being judgemental. I believe that people have a conscious and I believe that this is one thing I will take to my grave - my conscious.

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9. 57

   Falakhe Drewposted 13 years ago

   Luckly i have always focused on getting what i wanted and being homeless was not part of that plan . I do have some sympathy for them but I would rather share a thought with them that will help them get up and start moving forward again .

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10. 64

    SEXYLADYDEEposted 11 years ago

    When I left my abusive ex husband I became homeless with 3 children. My middle child's disability kept us out of the family shelter. We lived in a motel and I thought it would break me emotionally. Having been very ill due to lupus and unable to work full time for years and denied disability. God saw us through it and I was able to move into a house. I would never judge anyone nor do I look down in people in that situation. My heart aches for them and I do what I can, when I can. But for an illness, domestic abuse, violence, or a hurricane Sandy we are all one catastrophic incident away from this type of situation. Have compassion not judgement. Dee

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