Embracing Autonomy: Bones' Housing Journey
*Bones' story, its content, and his photos are shared with his consent and approval.
As a firsthand Guide (Certified Peer Recovery Specialist), part of my role is to find the individuals who have been assigned to me in order to support them. When I learned about Bones, I was able to locate him in a local hospital and began assisting him in navigating his various social needs.
Bones and I on the way to an appointment
At 56 years old, Bones was facing a ton of challenges. He was living with heart failure, COPD, Hepatitis C, anxiety, depression, and battling substance abuse.
On top of his health challenges, I learned that Bones was facing eviction, with just 10 days to find alternative housing. My team member Adeline, a Community Resources Guide (Social Worker), presented him with several housing options, hoping to assist him in finding a suitable place to live.
However, to our surprise, Bones chose to pass up on these opportunities. Instead, Bones opted to go to Tent City, an encampment where other unhoused individuals lived in the city. Despite our concerns, we understood that Bones needed to make this important decision for himself.
Moving Day
The day he was evicted, my team members and I tirelessly searched for a truck and a tent to help Bones settle into his new temporary home at Tent City. We ran into numerous obstacles along the way, and ultimately decided to purchase a tent and move Bones's belongings ourselves, by foot.
The heaviness of the day weighed on all of us. Witnessing one of our individuals transition from having a roof over his head to being back on the streets was a deeply emotional experience, and it felt like we had failed Bones.
Life on the street was hard for Bones. Every day was a struggle. A serious accident put him in the hospital, relying on life support. During his difficult recovery, Bones experienced, in his words, an awakening- and he decided to accept Adeline’s offer in finding a home. Adeline was able to find him a safe place for a 90-day short stay. She was also able to secure future long-term housing for him!
In the following months, Bones continued to face challenges, but was taking small steps towards a better future. Together we explored resources for medical treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation programs, addressing Bones' physical and mental health concerns. We started attending NA meetings together regularly, and Bones began going to therapy.
Adeline stopped by to read Bones my blog post, and he wanted to make sure she put a selfie of the two of them on here!
Having faced my own struggles with homelessness and addiction in the past, I deeply empathized with Bones' situation. My personal journey served as a reminder that even with all the support and assistance provided, individuals ultimately have the power to make their own choices.
Despite how emotional the experience was, it brought the team closer together and instilled a deeper understanding of the importance of empowering individuals in their decision-making processes. It also helped us build a strong mutual trust with Bones, who appreciated our respect for his autonomy.
One of firsthand’s values is “Individuals at the Center”. This experience helped solidify that even when the outcome or timeline may not align with our team’s ideal vision, an individual's independence and self-governance should always be centered, honored, and respected.
