Homeless dying on streets, don't want help

[Kadie]

Homeless dying on streets, don't want help (San Francisco)
C.W. Nevius

Saturday, August 7, 2010


There are days in this town that make you want to walk down the street whistling show tunes. And there are moments that leave you sick at heart.

Friday was the latter on Polk Street. For nearly two weeks Christopher Whalley has been watching Ricky Tomavich spiral slowly downhill. He was sleeping on the sidewalk, shivering in the night air and spending days sitting on the concrete, covered in his own filth.

"He's just giving up and allowing himself to die," Whalley said. "Two more nights on the street and he's gone."

In a kind and just world, Whalley would make a call, city services would arrive, and Tomavich would be whisked off to a warm shower, medical treatment and a snug bed. But it's never that simple.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/07/BAGE1EQ48E.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0vvZAAt3d



Ricky Tomavich finally was involuntarily confined by emergency responders to get medical help. The limit is 72 hours.
Photo: C.W. Nevius / The Chronicle

[Tsiyu]

1. kick

:kick:

[bluedave]

2. rights

He should be allowed to croak-can't say I blame him or his attitude.

[Xenotime]

3. That is very unprogressive

I'm happy that helped him. Every person has basic rights.

[pipi_k]

4. Everyone does have basic rights, including

the right to refuse help when offered.

What are you gonna do...lock the guy up against his will?

Then you're violating his Civil Rights.

Hard as it is to face the facts, people can't just be whisked off the streets and forced into whatever "treatment" we think is appropriate for them.

I'm facing much the same situation now with my younger brother, who is killing himself, at the age of 40, with alcohol.

He nearly died three times this past year, and his doctor has given him a 50% chance of living five years IF he remains sober. Well, he was sober for about two months, then he went back to drinking again.

If he lives another year at this rate, I'll be amazed.

But there is absolutely nothing any of us can do for him, and to imply, or say that there is, well that's just cruel and lays a lot of guilt on the family. We've talked, pleaded, begged, cried, and encouraged. We can't kidnap him and force him into treatment.

:(

[Karenina]

7. Each and every one of us will die

It's the matter of "choice" that's the stickler. WHO DECIDES when it's "allowed" and when it's not? ;-)

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. Which of his basic rights were being violated?

Arguably, self-determination is THE fundamental progressive value.

I think to be called "help" both parties must agree on what constitutes it.

[Hydra]

9. What's not progressive about it?

When someone decides it's too much to bear, we don't offer them an option to to painlessly do it. That means that they either have to suffer like this and make everyone uncomfortable, or they have to be forceably treated...and as they say, he'll probably be back on the streets before you know it.

We can't even let people have dignity in their last hours.

[Wednesdays]

5. Wow, what an attitude, Mr. Scrooge.

“Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,” returned the gentleman, “a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?”

“Nothing!” Scrooge replied.

“You wish to be anonymous?”

“I wish to be left alone,” said Scrooge. “Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned—they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there.”

“Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.”

“If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides—excuse me—I don’t know that.”

[Donnachaidh]

11. I think you're on the wrong forum

:wow:

[stray cat]

8. Anyone who isn't homeless could be labeled the selfish rich

[Electric Monk]

10. You're hilarious

sometimes.

Unintentionally?