Hey, everyone... I've noticed that my blog is getting more traffic, so I was wondering how good this blog actually is. I have one survey question posted on the right side of this screen... if you could just pick one of the choices, so I have an idea as to how you feel about this blog, I would really appreciate it. If you have ANY suggestions about this blog, or our activities with the homeless, PLEASE e-mail them to me at dot.contiguglia@gmail.com
THANKS :)
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
The documentary crew
Yesterday, Vinci and Harold arrived from New York to work on their documentary about the homeless of New Orleans, and Alison and I brought them around the city to scope things out. After discussing the situation in detail over some coffee, we all headed to the I-10 overpass so they could get some stories and video of the inhabitants. Dale, being a very talkative individual, gave a detailed description of his experiences being homeless. While they were taping him, I had the opportunity to chat with some other folks hanging around.
(Oh... and a side note, I mentioned bringing a homeless individual to the ER, last week... well, Dale told me that he has been in the hospital for the past few days, and no one has really heard from him... hopefully, he will recover soon)
One old man, Henry, came up to talk to me. He was studying to be an anesthesiologist at one point in his life, but blames his wife for making him change his plans and going to work in the oil fields for 15 years, instead. I did not get a story as to what ROLE his wife played in this change of heart, but he claims that this decision is what lead to his current state of homelessness. In order to prove that he had some medical education, he started naming various cardiac diseases along with descriptions of each disease, anatomical terms, etc... until I was convinced that he had gone to school... and I have to say that I AM convinced... he may know more about medicine than I do, actually. Apart from his medical education, he can draw, write (he plans on writing three books about his experience being homeless), and paint. He is from Baton Rouge and arrived in New Orleans on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras). At the moment, he supports himself by taking odd jobs cleaning the New Orleans Arena and Superdome, as well as picking up soft drink cans. He told me that he has the option to leave the bridge now (must have met some kind of fortunate event, like a home from unity), but elected to stay for a little while and help his new found friends under the bridge. He believes that the best way he can help is by writing those books, and looks forward to getting started on them.
We continued getting film and talked to Steve, Homeless Pride's Vice President. He had been given a house by Unity, but had issues with his landowner. Eventually the landowner kicked him out, and he is now back under the bridge. He keeps a tight ship, watching out for everyone who comes through. He tries to keep crack dealers and hustling away from the tents around him, and I even saw him chase one individual away while we were there, yesterday. He receives donations such as soaps, wipes, paper towels, and distributes them to the folks around him. Alison and I talked to Steve for a while, and he informed us that there are a couple of other large homeless settlements. One is at "The Wall" where Elysian Fields meets the river, and at Audubon Park near the river (behind the Zoo). I was intrigued by this, and am planning to check out these locations. Of course, there are also MANY homeless staying in the hundreds (don't quote this number) of still-abandoned houses in the city.
As I was passing out more health care flyers, I met another man with some medical education. When I mentioned that I was a medical student, a man with no teeth and a half paralyzed face started spouting out the names of all the cranial bones to me. I was quite impressed. It seems that the homeless community has more of an educational background than many people think. I also met a familiar homeless individual, Morocca... he usually hangs out on the River-side of the encampment with a plush mickey mouse.... which sounds crazy.. but this man is actually NOT crazy... just extremely humerous. Everytime I head out there, he greets me with the mickey mouse and asks me where Toto is or if I have ruby slippers on (being that my name is Dorothy, I am quite used to this). Yesterday, he didn't have the mickey mouse, and with a pout, told me that someone stole it.
After we saw the I-10 overpass, we brought Vinci and Henry to the 9th Ward. They got a lot of video and pictures as we stopped at the breach site, and even ventured into an old gutted-out church. We also stopped at the Holy Cross Community, so they could see a recovering neighborhood. For those of you in New Orleans, you have to check out what Americorps did with the levee area near Holy Cross. There is a path along the water, complete with park benches... it's quite pretty.
Needless to say, it was a BUSY day.
I am working on getting a research project underway. I am not sure what the research will encompass, yet... as I have to talk to some people who are already involved with the homeless, and look at past research articles from other cities in order to determine which information is important, and what I should pursue. I feel that with actual, published data, the City and the local organizations can make better decisions and intervention plans regarding the homeless. Hopefully, I am not being OVERLY idealistic.
(Oh... and a side note, I mentioned bringing a homeless individual to the ER, last week... well, Dale told me that he has been in the hospital for the past few days, and no one has really heard from him... hopefully, he will recover soon)
One old man, Henry, came up to talk to me. He was studying to be an anesthesiologist at one point in his life, but blames his wife for making him change his plans and going to work in the oil fields for 15 years, instead. I did not get a story as to what ROLE his wife played in this change of heart, but he claims that this decision is what lead to his current state of homelessness. In order to prove that he had some medical education, he started naming various cardiac diseases along with descriptions of each disease, anatomical terms, etc... until I was convinced that he had gone to school... and I have to say that I AM convinced... he may know more about medicine than I do, actually. Apart from his medical education, he can draw, write (he plans on writing three books about his experience being homeless), and paint. He is from Baton Rouge and arrived in New Orleans on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras). At the moment, he supports himself by taking odd jobs cleaning the New Orleans Arena and Superdome, as well as picking up soft drink cans. He told me that he has the option to leave the bridge now (must have met some kind of fortunate event, like a home from unity), but elected to stay for a little while and help his new found friends under the bridge. He believes that the best way he can help is by writing those books, and looks forward to getting started on them.
We continued getting film and talked to Steve, Homeless Pride's Vice President. He had been given a house by Unity, but had issues with his landowner. Eventually the landowner kicked him out, and he is now back under the bridge. He keeps a tight ship, watching out for everyone who comes through. He tries to keep crack dealers and hustling away from the tents around him, and I even saw him chase one individual away while we were there, yesterday. He receives donations such as soaps, wipes, paper towels, and distributes them to the folks around him. Alison and I talked to Steve for a while, and he informed us that there are a couple of other large homeless settlements. One is at "The Wall" where Elysian Fields meets the river, and at Audubon Park near the river (behind the Zoo). I was intrigued by this, and am planning to check out these locations. Of course, there are also MANY homeless staying in the hundreds (don't quote this number) of still-abandoned houses in the city.
As I was passing out more health care flyers, I met another man with some medical education. When I mentioned that I was a medical student, a man with no teeth and a half paralyzed face started spouting out the names of all the cranial bones to me. I was quite impressed. It seems that the homeless community has more of an educational background than many people think. I also met a familiar homeless individual, Morocca... he usually hangs out on the River-side of the encampment with a plush mickey mouse.... which sounds crazy.. but this man is actually NOT crazy... just extremely humerous. Everytime I head out there, he greets me with the mickey mouse and asks me where Toto is or if I have ruby slippers on (being that my name is Dorothy, I am quite used to this). Yesterday, he didn't have the mickey mouse, and with a pout, told me that someone stole it.
After we saw the I-10 overpass, we brought Vinci and Henry to the 9th Ward. They got a lot of video and pictures as we stopped at the breach site, and even ventured into an old gutted-out church. We also stopped at the Holy Cross Community, so they could see a recovering neighborhood. For those of you in New Orleans, you have to check out what Americorps did with the levee area near Holy Cross. There is a path along the water, complete with park benches... it's quite pretty.
Needless to say, it was a BUSY day.
I am working on getting a research project underway. I am not sure what the research will encompass, yet... as I have to talk to some people who are already involved with the homeless, and look at past research articles from other cities in order to determine which information is important, and what I should pursue. I feel that with actual, published data, the City and the local organizations can make better decisions and intervention plans regarding the homeless. Hopefully, I am not being OVERLY idealistic.
Friday, February 22, 2008
New Orleans' newest plan regarding homelessness
The Times Picayune (local newspaper) just published a front page story concerning the homeless, yesterday (you can read it here). Apparently, the plan is to take the homeless folks from under the bridge and put them into a few giant tents (equipped with triple bunks) where the homeless will recover from their mental illnesses, addictions, and social problems in several months, after which time, they will have enough money to leave the tent for an apartment of their own. I have not seen this alleged tent, yet.. but it's located on Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. I'll probably check it out tomorrow.
The article states that there will be beds for 210 males and 12 females in two tents and one barn. Individuals who stay at this location have to be "clean." Those with severe mental illness will be referred elsewhere... but... where?
I'm trying to avoid throwing judgments out, but... if you read the article... it speaks for itself.
here are some (but not all) of the questions I have to ask about this operation:
* what is being done, regarding prevention of the spread of infectious disease (HIV, TB, flu, etc...)?
* The population of homeless in NO is ESTIMATED at 12,000 - 19,000 ... this camp only focuses on the folks under the bridge (a few hundred).... what is being done for the folks NOT under I-10?
* who is providing the outreach and counseling services? how about the medical services?
* how will law enforcement be approached?
* is there any infringement on these people's rights as they are shuttled away and kept in this camp?
*etc, etc, etc...
The article states that there will be beds for 210 males and 12 females in two tents and one barn. Individuals who stay at this location have to be "clean." Those with severe mental illness will be referred elsewhere... but... where?
I'm trying to avoid throwing judgments out, but... if you read the article... it speaks for itself.
here are some (but not all) of the questions I have to ask about this operation:
* what is being done, regarding prevention of the spread of infectious disease (HIV, TB, flu, etc...)?
* The population of homeless in NO is ESTIMATED at 12,000 - 19,000 ... this camp only focuses on the folks under the bridge (a few hundred).... what is being done for the folks NOT under I-10?
* who is providing the outreach and counseling services? how about the medical services?
* how will law enforcement be approached?
* is there any infringement on these people's rights as they are shuttled away and kept in this camp?
*etc, etc, etc...
Thursday, February 21, 2008
A Possible Documentary!!
Well, I have been contacted by Vincent Jean-Baptiste from New York, who is visiting New Orleans, this weekend. He is interested in filming a documentary on the homeless in the NO, and is coming down to check out the situation. Alison and I will be meeting up with him on Saturday... so stay posted to hear the details of THAT meeting. :)
WELCOME, VINCENT!!
WELCOME, VINCENT!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
City Council Meeting = DUD
Alison and I came out to City Hall this morning, in order to attend an alleged chamber meeting concerning the homeless. Much to our disappointment when we arrived at City Hall, we were informed that the meeting had been canceled. :( There was no word on whether the meeting will be re-scheduled... so, we're going to keep our ears open and find out what the deal is.
Friday, February 15, 2008
CNN in the NO
So, Anderson Cooper was in New Orleans yesterday, and he did a small piece on the homeless under the I-10 bridge... check out this link to watch his interview of one homeless individual.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
A visit to the overpass
After class, this afternoon, I headed out to the interstate overpass with Tim Park, another medical student. We passed out Richard's healthcare flyers to as many people as we could find. It was hard, due to the cold weather. Many homeless were holed up in their tents in order to avoid the cold, but most of those who were out were grateful to receive the flyers.
At the end of our tour, I came across a severely hypothermic individual who looked like he had been badly beaten. His mates told me that he needed a doctor, and it was quite obvious that he did, so I told him to follow me to a nearby emergency room. When he didn't fight back, I knew it was bad. Usually the homeless refuse such grand gestures because they prefer to lay low and avoid too much attention. I brought him to the ER and waited for him to be seen by the triage nurse. After he was seen, I had to run off to classes, but I will keep checking in on him.
I bring this up because I think it is absurd that a man could be, so easily, left to die on the streets in the USA. You think that this is something that only happens in under-developed countries, but it's happening here, too. This man would NOT have made it through another night... and it didn't take a medical student to realize this... all of his friends knew it, too. When we were waiting in the ER together, he showed me a wristband from another hospital that he had been to, last week. When I looked at this man, I could not imagine any doctor or nurse letting this man back onto the street in such a state... yet... what do you do with someone like this? Not only do they need immediate treatment, they need long-term care and counseling. This guy may live through another night, but tomorrow... he's still going to have cuts and bruises all over his body, his fingers will still be close to rotting off, and he will still be stuck out in the cold with nothing but a tent and a beer to keep him warm. The homeless need a WHOLE NETWORK of healthcare and mental health services in order to be rehabilitated.... but no one wants to step up to the plate.
On another note, this week's GAMBIT (local free newspaper) has an article on the homeless living under the bridge. I suggest that everyone check it out.
At the end of our tour, I came across a severely hypothermic individual who looked like he had been badly beaten. His mates told me that he needed a doctor, and it was quite obvious that he did, so I told him to follow me to a nearby emergency room. When he didn't fight back, I knew it was bad. Usually the homeless refuse such grand gestures because they prefer to lay low and avoid too much attention. I brought him to the ER and waited for him to be seen by the triage nurse. After he was seen, I had to run off to classes, but I will keep checking in on him.
I bring this up because I think it is absurd that a man could be, so easily, left to die on the streets in the USA. You think that this is something that only happens in under-developed countries, but it's happening here, too. This man would NOT have made it through another night... and it didn't take a medical student to realize this... all of his friends knew it, too. When we were waiting in the ER together, he showed me a wristband from another hospital that he had been to, last week. When I looked at this man, I could not imagine any doctor or nurse letting this man back onto the street in such a state... yet... what do you do with someone like this? Not only do they need immediate treatment, they need long-term care and counseling. This guy may live through another night, but tomorrow... he's still going to have cuts and bruises all over his body, his fingers will still be close to rotting off, and he will still be stuck out in the cold with nothing but a tent and a beer to keep him warm. The homeless need a WHOLE NETWORK of healthcare and mental health services in order to be rehabilitated.... but no one wants to step up to the plate.
On another note, this week's GAMBIT (local free newspaper) has an article on the homeless living under the bridge. I suggest that everyone check it out.
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