Update: Justice served - "Laura" the homeless woman I helped last year got an apartment

[Divine Discontent]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3340858


There is hope in this world, I just wanted to encourage everyone or to let people know who maybe are feeling there's no such thing anymore.

Laura, from Illinois, who I met in the spring last year, was homeless and living near NASA in FL. She has a heart of gold, is friendly and charming, and makes you smile just by being near her Cherokee spirit.

You can read about the hatred of some who live on the space coast show towards the homeless (the one mentioned in my link above even called the cops on me for helping Laura), in my thread post from May of last year.

I gave Laura what I could, some food, a little money, a blanket and a bed cushion, and gauze for her swelled legs. I told her not to give up and to keep asking for help. She did, and just about the time she left the state, she told me that the bus line wouldn't let her on because of her leg odor. So, I gave her some money for a cab then headed back to my care taking (for a sibling) that I was in the middle of doing. I didn't get to see her off, but the last time I was with Laura she was very hopeful and said she would never give up and said she thanked GOD for my encouraging her, and I told her she was a wonderful person.

So, I wanted to share this quick follow up for those who remember Laura, that a homeless man I met near where she was staying, told me when I saw him outside the grocery store. He said that Laura had been working on some things for several days before she left, and she got her cab ride, and went to the Catholic church, and they gave her the money she needed to get to Missouri, where she wanted to go and said she had friends who had gotten some organization there to get her an apartment, and she was tickled pink.

Even though many of us are struggling to get by - and GOD help us to never have to be without or to endure the cruelty from people like the lady in the Mercedes from my OP - may we never forget there is always hope and there is always someone out there who will help.

Laura beamed at just being spoken to, and she made the cutest "oh!" face and smile when she asked if I had a girlfriend, and I said, "I'm looking for a BOYfriend!", and the talks I had with her over those several weeks were something I will always treasure. She was a very smart woman that just needed a hand in her emotional time of need, and reassurance that she was going to make it back to being in her own place again. I'm so very thankful that she made it.

Laura, wherever you are, you are a hero for never giving up.

http://www.endhomelessness.org/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Thank you for the update!

Good for her...and for you, for helping her!

K&R

:hug:

[Divine Discontent]

4. CP!

My Dear! Thank you, good to see you on today. Thanks for the hug, and many hugs your way! :pals:

[tomm2thumbs]

2. What a nice post and story - have a golden day!!

[Tim01]

3. That's awsome.

I firmly believe the only we really can make a difference is one person at a time.
Kudos.

[Divine Discontent]

5. ty. yep, poppers made a post yesterday talking about how we each change things just by helping one

another. It's the little things that can mean so much.
best to you!

[Vidar]

6. Well done.

[Laelth]

7. I don't know about "justice," but you did the right thing.

You made the world a better place. Well done.

:dem:

-Laelth

[OneGrassRoot]

8. Reminds me of The Starfish story/poem:

THE STARFISH (attributed to different people, not sure of original source)


An old man was walking down the beach just before dawn. In the distance he saw a young man picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea.

s the old man approached the young man, he asked; "Why do you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time?"

The young man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun.

"But there must be thousands of beaches and millions of starfish, exclaimed the old man. "How can your efforts make any difference?"

The young man looked down at the small starfish in his hand and as he threw it to safety in the sea, he said, "It makes a difference to this one!"



Kudos to you, Divine Discontent!!!



:applause:

[Tim01]

11. The Starfish is a very worthwhile story.

I wish more people could get it.

[Divine Discontent]

13. what a cool story, thank you!

[handmade34]

9. simply, Thank You

In my travels I see so much and it is overwhelming at times. I so want to help in some way every person I drive by on a corner or see sleeping in a doorway or wandering uncertainly with their belongings. Sometimes I can do a meager thing, sometimes not. I am pleased and happy for others like you that can do more.

[Liberal_in_LA]

10. I hope she got medical care for those legs. Thanks for helping a homeless person

[Divine Discontent]

12. me too, they were not good at all when she left, very bloated. she was probably about 400 lbs

and her poor legs were giving out. The area I was in was not very friendly to homeless people, and since she was going towards St Louis, I am hopeful she got some immediate medical attention from a doc once she got settled in her new place. Thanks for caring about Laura, too.