80 years old and homeless veteran in Los Angeles needs help
TLDRWendell, an 80-year-old homeless veteran in Los Angeles, shares his story of struggle and resilience. After suffering a machete attack that left him unable to work, Wendell found himself relying on Social Security, living in a non-operational motor home. He expresses a desire to return to Central California, where he wishes to find peace and engage in simple farm work. Wendell's family has been struck by tragedy, including the loss of his wife to cancer and a son in a car accident. He sold his house and depleted his savings to support his daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Despite his hardships, Wendell remains concerned about the many homeless individuals around him, questioning why families don't make more of an effort to help their homeless relatives. He is open to receiving a donated, functioning RV to facilitate his move and improve his living situation. Wendell's story is a poignant reminder of the complexities of homelessness and the importance of community support.
Takeaways
- 👴 Wendell is an 80-year-old homeless veteran in Los Angeles who has been living in a non-operational motor home for four years.
- 🗡️ He was attacked with a machete, which resulted in the loss of his teeth and a broken jawbone, and he has also faced threats with a butcher knife.
- 💔 Wendell's wife died of cancer, he lost a son in the military, and another son in a car accident, which led to financial hardship as he had to support his daughter-in-law and her daughters.
- 🏡 He sold his house and depleted his 401k to support his family, leaving him with only a Social Security income of $1,200 a month, which is insufficient for an apartment.
- 🚍 Wendell wishes to return to Central California, where he hopes to live on a ranch and enjoy some peace in an RV.
- 👮♂️ He has had to call the police for his safety, highlighting the dangers that homeless individuals face on a regular basis.
- 💊 Wendell clarifies that he does not use drugs and is concerned about the stigma that homeless people are often associated with substance abuse.
- 👪 He expresses concern for other homeless individuals who have families but are not receiving support from them.
- 🌱 Wendell grew up on a farm and attributes his good health to his upbringing and a strong immune system.
- 🧐 He is perplexed by people who choose to engage in drug use and doesn't understand why families don't help their homeless relatives.
- 🙏 Wendell is not seeking sympathy but rather a chance to live peacefully for the time he has left and is open to receiving a donated RV in good condition.
- 🌟 He appreciates any help or concern shown by others and hopes to inspire awareness about the struggles of homelessness.
Q & A
How old is Wendell and where does he currently find himself?
-Wendell is 80 years old and he is currently homeless in Los Angeles.
What challenges has Wendell faced while being homeless?
-Wendell has faced numerous challenges including being attacked with a machete, losing his teeth and jawbone, and dealing with threats from individuals wanting drugs.
What does Wendell wish to do instead of living in Los Angeles?
-Wendell wishes to return to Central California, where he would like to live on a ranch in peace and enjoy the remaining time he has.
How long has Wendell been homeless?
-Wendell has been homeless for 4 years.
What led to Wendell's current financial situation?
-Wendell's financial situation was affected by a series of unfortunate events including the death of his wife from cancer, losing a son in the military, and a car accident that led to the death of another son. He had to sell his house and use his 401k to pay off debts, leaving him to live on Social Security.
What is Wendell's monthly Social Security income?
-Wendell receives $1,200 a month from Social Security.
Why does Wendell believe his Social Security income is insufficient?
-Wendell believes his Social Security income is insufficient because it is not enough to afford both food and an apartment in Los Angeles.
What does Wendell think about the growing number of seniors facing homelessness?
-Wendell is saddened by the growing number of seniors facing homelessness and expresses concern about why family members don't make more of an effort to help their homeless relatives.
What is Wendell's preferred method of receiving help?
-Wendell prefers to receive help in the form of a donated, running RV in good condition that doesn't need any repairs.
What is Wendell's ultimate goal with the help he receives?
-Wendell's ultimate goal is to get an RV that can take him over the Great Vine to Bakersville, where he plans to park and live in it, enjoying the rest of his time.
What are Wendell's three wishes?
-Wendell's three wishes are to go back to the country, to not worry about his health problems, and to be around foreign people.
How does Wendell feel about his age and health?
-Wendell feels he has been pretty healthy for his age, attributing it to his upbringing on a farm and good food. He is concerned about his brother's recent passing and wants to enjoy the time he has left.
Outlines
🏙️ Homelessness and Survival in Los Angeles
This paragraph tells the story of Wendell, an 80-year-old homeless man in Los Angeles. He describes the harsh realities of living on the streets, including attacks and the constant threat of violence. Wendell has been homeless for four years after being attacked with a machete, which left him unable to work. He now relies on Social Security, but finds it insufficient to afford an apartment. Wendell's motor home, though non-operational, provides some shelter, and he expresses a desire to return to Central California for a more peaceful life. He also shares the tragic loss of his wife to cancer and other family members, which led to financial hardship and his current situation. Wendell is concerned about the growing number of homeless seniors and the lack of support for them. He is open to receiving help in the form of a functioning RV to improve his living conditions.
🍀 A Wish for Peace and a Return to Rural Life
In this paragraph, Wendell reflects on his life, his health, and his wishes. Despite being 80 years old, he attributes his good health to his upbringing on a farm and a strong immune system. Wendell is concerned about his own mortality, given his family's average lifespan and the recent loss of his brother. He expresses three wishes: to return to the countryside, to be around foreign people, and to enjoy some peace in his remaining years. Wendell does not feel sorry for himself and appreciates the conversation, recognizing the kindness and care of others. His story ends on a note of gratitude for the attention and concern shown by the interviewer.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Homeless Veteran
💡Mental Issues
💡Machete Attack
💡Social Security
💡Motor Home
💡RV (Recreational Vehicle)
💡GoFundMe
💡Drugs
💡Family Loss
💡Homelessness Among Seniors
💡Peace
Highlights
Wendell, an 80-year-old homeless veteran in Los Angeles, shares his story.
He mentions the prevalence of mental health issues among the homeless population.
Wendell was attacked with a machete, resulting in the loss of his teeth and a broken jawbone.
He recounts a recent incident where he had to call the police due to a man threatening him with a butcher knife.
Wendell expresses his desire to return to Central California for some peace in his remaining time.
He has been homeless for four years after the attack left him unable to work.
Wendell's motor home, where he currently lives, is non-operational.
He wishes to escape Los Angeles and return to a rural area where he can work on a ranch.
Wendell's wife passed away from cancer, and he also lost a son in the military and another in a car accident.
Financial difficulties led to selling his house and depleting his 401k, leaving him reliant on Social Security.
He highlights the insufficiency of Social Security income for adequate housing and food.
Wendell is concerned about the growing number of senior citizens facing homelessness.
He plans to start a GoFundMe to raise funds for a functioning RV to live in.
Wendell prefers a donated RV in good condition over starting a GoFundMe campaign.
He has the skills to maintain an RV but currently lives in a broken-down one.
Wendell wants people to understand the complexity of homelessness and the importance of family support.
Despite his age, Wendell remains relatively healthy due to his upbringing and lifestyle.
His primary wish is to enjoy peace in his remaining years, surrounded by nature and people.
Wendell appreciates the concern and help offered by others, reflecting the kindness in society.