powerWITHIN

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PLEASE MEET STEPHANIE:

Two months ago Stephanie's life was literally flipped upside down when she was hit by a car that didn't see her in a crosswalk. She shattered her knee and tore ligaments in her collar bone. She actually tried to get up and walk away hoping she was alright.

After five days in the hospital she was wheeled outside in the cold and they pretty much wished her luck. Stephanie considers it very lucky she was able to get in touch with her friend or as she said, "I would still be outside of the hospital in a wheelchair today."

Her friend let her stay with her in her tent next to the freeway. In order to get to the tent, she had to scale a wall, and she was (and is currently) in a wheelchair. Stephanie needed help, this was no place to heal.

Debbie and Damien caught wind of the situation and quickly helped her get into a tiny house in the Nickelsville Othello Village with the help of Richard at Union Gospel Mission and REACH.

She has made her tiny space very cozy and organized. She said she's always kept her places neat and comfy, even when she was living in a tent. She is very grateful to be there in a bed and with a heater!

Stephanie told me she has two kids. "I used to have a house, a job as a real estate agent, a husband, and a dog and a cat, the whole thing." Once her husband left her, the drinking took over and she lost it all. I asked her if she still drinks and she was beautifully honest "I'm healing now, one thing at a time."

She didn't want to be photographed in her wheelchair because she will "be out of this thing soon." So she carefully hopped to be in the photo.

Stephanie is bright, sweet, beautiful, honest, REAL, and she wants to better her life. I know you can do it girl, you already are.

Nickelsville Othello Village | Dawndra

A QUIET THOUGHT - If you're moved by the goodness of this community, please visit http://www.facinghomelessness.org/ and click on the 'donate' button and consider a "monthly recurring" donation of just $5 in support of the work. THANK YOU!
#kindness #JustSayHello #FacingHomelessness