PLEASE MEET DANNY:
I've heard yelled in meeting halls, "Seattle should be called Free-attle". It's easy to hold onto, catchy and clever. Our inner voice can say, "Yeah, why are we just giving people stuff, I've worked hard for mine."
To begin with, let's be clear, the only stuff that is important in life is the basic-needs-stuff. The rest of stuff is just stuff. Why are we so freaked out about giving it away? Why are we still making stuff more important than people?
The stuff people on our streets need is the basic-needs-stuff. It's that simple. Nobody should be in need of basic-needs-stuff. Nobody. If you don't feel the same, come closer to those struggling, you will feel differently.
Danny lives homeless in a truck. He's become a beautiful friend for me over the last 5 years. There has been a great deal of pain in his lifetime, I've seen just a small part of it.
I told Danny I was leaving FH on July 1st, that I wanted to make my last post about him. When we first met, July 8, 2015, he was cooking bacon, hash-browns, and blueberry pancakes on a grill next to his RV. I was biking past on the Burke Gilman Trail. I said hello and he invited me to breakfast!
So here is the thing, there is only one Danny. But there are two views of him. One that society sees from arm's-length, which includes a broken down RV (not anymore with his Nissan Pathfinder), a good deal of pot smoked, no job, a stressed relationship with the police, and more. Basically the negative stereotype against homelessness.
The other view, the up-close and personal view, is radically different. It moves from seeing the 'issue' of homelessness to seeing the person. It answers to the negative of the arm's-length view. This up-close view sees the sensitive and beautiful person that Danny is. He has lived in RV's because he has had two big dogs which makes it nearly impossible to find housing. They are his best friends. One recently sadly passed, which has been horrible for Danny. He smokes pot because it calms him, it allows him to function through the anxiety. He served in the military and suffers PTSD, which shows up when dealing with authority figures like the police.
For every negative that you might find and feel about Danny, or anyone else living on the street, know that your opinion is informed by the arm's-length view. If you come closer, to see the human being, to hear about their journey, your opinion will change. You will get to see the person.
Danny shared how emotionally difficult the past few years have been for him. That only a few friends have stuck it out with him when he was all over the place emotionally. That he appreciated I hung in there with him. I began to stream tears.
It's me that is so very grateful for Danny's friendship. This is the power of coming closer, of Just Saying Hello.
Danny was able to purchase a Nissan Pathfinder and needs help with registration costs, tabs, and some gas. Hoping we can raise $400.00 for him.
UPDATE: Paypal link has been removed in that our goal of raising $400 has been reached with $483.60 donated!!! WowWOW!!!!! We know this is going to greatly help Danny move forward. A HEARTFELT thanks to everyone!!!
No funds will go directly to Danny, no funds go to Facing Homelessness, as is always the case, and if there are funds remaining, they will go to someone with a like need. Thanks SO very much!!!
Georgetown Neighborhood | Rex
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 Crosscut KING 5