I'm a music enthusiast. I love going to concerts. In fact I have my own musical talents that I now only do for a hobby.
The day Lee was admitted, I had plans to go to a concert. It was my good friend and personal assistant, E's favorite band. Luckily I knew the promoter and we got in to the show for free.
Traveling all the way to Mokena that night was pretty aweful.
11.14.2008
Day 1 - Out of the cold
Lee called me on the phone. He seemed happy to be safe. He was his pleasant self as usual. I feel guilty not being able to bring him to the hospital, but we could not waste any time with the CTA. (more to come on this issue)
My friend Michael and Theresa (the nurse) brought him there. Because Theresa is a nurse she was able to advocate for him and make sure he was treated properly.
Note: Lee was turned away without a lab work out by one of the most prestigious hospitals in Chicago. Because of this he has not returned to a hospital for his leg.
Lee asked me for three things diet pop, his wheelchair, and his chicken we left with Michael. I assured Lee he would get those things and that I would be in to visit the next day.
My friend Michael and Theresa (the nurse) brought him there. Because Theresa is a nurse she was able to advocate for him and make sure he was treated properly.
Note: Lee was turned away without a lab work out by one of the most prestigious hospitals in Chicago. Because of this he has not returned to a hospital for his leg.
Lee asked me for three things diet pop, his wheelchair, and his chicken we left with Michael. I assured Lee he would get those things and that I would be in to visit the next day.
11.12.2008
When Lynn met Lee
Believe me, even with a severe disability and mental illness from time to time, I still have stereotypes and stigmas about various groups of people including the disabled. I do believe I have an excellent judge of character and I see the good in everyone, which can become a problem when choosing males to date...right mom? (That male I moved to Chicago for constantly looked like he had just stole your wallet, still a great guy, asshole, but great guy)
I pick and choose who I help. I can read people like books. I started going to the Starbucks on Division and Dearborn regularly. I can't remember when we first met, but he called me Angel. He didn't ask me for money, all he wanted was a hello. So I stopped and chatted. We got to know each other and I disclosed to him what I do for a living and I offered him my advice.
The thing that got me really going on Lee's fight for independence was when I witnessed a cop verbally assault and kick him out of Starbucks on Halloween night. I am not phased by much in life but what I saw almost brought me to tears and I went into fighting mode. This case against this cop is what we were working on when I noticed that Lee was colder than usual, not completely responsive, and more agitated than usual. I brought him to my own apartment, had him checked out by a friend who's a nurse and from there got him admitted into a hospital. From just looking at him he had cellulitis, which was taking place under his left knee. He had an out of control infection. The kind of infection you can smell.
I pick and choose who I help. I can read people like books. I started going to the Starbucks on Division and Dearborn regularly. I can't remember when we first met, but he called me Angel. He didn't ask me for money, all he wanted was a hello. So I stopped and chatted. We got to know each other and I disclosed to him what I do for a living and I offered him my advice.
The thing that got me really going on Lee's fight for independence was when I witnessed a cop verbally assault and kick him out of Starbucks on Halloween night. I am not phased by much in life but what I saw almost brought me to tears and I went into fighting mode. This case against this cop is what we were working on when I noticed that Lee was colder than usual, not completely responsive, and more agitated than usual. I brought him to my own apartment, had him checked out by a friend who's a nurse and from there got him admitted into a hospital. From just looking at him he had cellulitis, which was taking place under his left knee. He had an out of control infection. The kind of infection you can smell.
About Lynn
I am new to the area of the Gold Coast. I am originally from the suburbs, but moved to Chicago after finishing my BS in Champaign. I moved to the city for a boy. Yes, I said it mom. I had been hanging with the male for two years. Never able to be close to him, one of us always having to travel. In reality he was never going to really date me, but I did everything I could to try to get him to. Presents, cute text messages, saying everything I thought he wanted to hear. I became that dumb girl. The girls I made fun of my whole life. I was in love.
But, he was the best thing that could have happened to me. I could have stayed in Champaign, continued to live an easy life where academics came easy to me and they had the perfect living situation for people with severe physical disabilities like myself. I would have stayed there, finished my MS in Rehabilitation and got a cushy job with cushy benefits working for the State of Illinois. But I had the itch.
For some reason I started looking for other places to go besides Champaign. I was really into jail vocational rehab at the time so I looked at SIU. I didn't feel it was accessible enough for me. The winter before my senior year of college I stubbled across a MS and PhD program in Chicago. It was somewhere to go besides Champaign and hey it was near the boy, down one street actually.
I moved almost instantly after graduation to my new apartment in Chicago. I realized I wasn't here for school, I was here to gain my independent. I wasn't safe anymore. This was no Champaign.
In case your wondering, I'm still friends with the boy but nothing ever happened. I came to Chicago with too high of hopes. Maybe it would be different this time. Maybe he would admit we were more than just friends. Maybe he would introduce me to his parents. No. I got nothing from him, but what he doesn't know is he gave me everything.
After I got over the fact that this dream of dating was not going to happen I was forced to grow up. I started to take my MS program seriously.
Then everything came to a stop. After a stressful battle with the State for care hours, I was hospitalized with pneumonia in both lungs. Feeling like I almost died and what I believe what maltreatment of a patient by hospital staff I developed post traumatic stress disorder. Leaving the hospital I was addicted to Ativan and had severe anxiety attacks, physical flashbacks, depression, and clinical anorexia. This was not the Lynn people loved. This was not the Lynn I loved. I was forced to slow down on school for the semester and live off and on with my parents. But with mental health drugs and rehab, I was back and I had bite.
I wanted to get to know everyone. I developed a whole new set of friends. I was manic, and still am, but I was and am happy.
To make a long story short, I moved away from my area near school and work for several reasons, but now I'm here in the Gold Coast and that combined with my severe addiction to Starbucks is how I met Lee.
But, he was the best thing that could have happened to me. I could have stayed in Champaign, continued to live an easy life where academics came easy to me and they had the perfect living situation for people with severe physical disabilities like myself. I would have stayed there, finished my MS in Rehabilitation and got a cushy job with cushy benefits working for the State of Illinois. But I had the itch.
For some reason I started looking for other places to go besides Champaign. I was really into jail vocational rehab at the time so I looked at SIU. I didn't feel it was accessible enough for me. The winter before my senior year of college I stubbled across a MS and PhD program in Chicago. It was somewhere to go besides Champaign and hey it was near the boy, down one street actually.
I moved almost instantly after graduation to my new apartment in Chicago. I realized I wasn't here for school, I was here to gain my independent. I wasn't safe anymore. This was no Champaign.
In case your wondering, I'm still friends with the boy but nothing ever happened. I came to Chicago with too high of hopes. Maybe it would be different this time. Maybe he would admit we were more than just friends. Maybe he would introduce me to his parents. No. I got nothing from him, but what he doesn't know is he gave me everything.
After I got over the fact that this dream of dating was not going to happen I was forced to grow up. I started to take my MS program seriously.
Then everything came to a stop. After a stressful battle with the State for care hours, I was hospitalized with pneumonia in both lungs. Feeling like I almost died and what I believe what maltreatment of a patient by hospital staff I developed post traumatic stress disorder. Leaving the hospital I was addicted to Ativan and had severe anxiety attacks, physical flashbacks, depression, and clinical anorexia. This was not the Lynn people loved. This was not the Lynn I loved. I was forced to slow down on school for the semester and live off and on with my parents. But with mental health drugs and rehab, I was back and I had bite.
I wanted to get to know everyone. I developed a whole new set of friends. I was manic, and still am, but I was and am happy.
To make a long story short, I moved away from my area near school and work for several reasons, but now I'm here in the Gold Coast and that combined with my severe addiction to Starbucks is how I met Lee.
11.11.2008
About Lee
Lee is a male around the age of 40 years old. He has a high school education and some college. Lee has 2 children both over the age of 13. Lee was a what we would consider a functioning member of society. He had a full-time job and contributed to our society.
Lee developed diabetes. He was told he could not work anymore and he took disability. Lee was put on a 5 year waiting list for public aid and his diabetes progressed so much during the wait for healthcare benefits, Lee was forced to have both of his legs amputated just below the knees. Lee now waits on another waiting list for Section 8 housing. He is homeless.
The doctor's have told him not to go to a shelter because of his health needs. Lee has made the decision that he wants to be independent. He is a 40 year old man and does not want to live with his mother. Lee pays $20 per night to stay at someone else's place at in public housing.
Lee is what your typical civilian would consider a beggar. He's out on the streets in the same spot everyday. His spot is the Starbucks at Dearborn and Division. With his disability money ($620/month) he is able to pay his unsupervised child support and can buy things for his two children when they need it, but in order to make rent, he collects money on the street. He has become a staple at this corner. He has his regulars who take care of him. I would go as far and say, they love him.
Lee only ever takes what he needs. If he's offered more than that he denies politely, "Would you mind if I save that for a rainy day?" meaning, I will take your help when I really need it.
Lee developed diabetes. He was told he could not work anymore and he took disability. Lee was put on a 5 year waiting list for public aid and his diabetes progressed so much during the wait for healthcare benefits, Lee was forced to have both of his legs amputated just below the knees. Lee now waits on another waiting list for Section 8 housing. He is homeless.
The doctor's have told him not to go to a shelter because of his health needs. Lee has made the decision that he wants to be independent. He is a 40 year old man and does not want to live with his mother. Lee pays $20 per night to stay at someone else's place at in public housing.
Lee is what your typical civilian would consider a beggar. He's out on the streets in the same spot everyday. His spot is the Starbucks at Dearborn and Division. With his disability money ($620/month) he is able to pay his unsupervised child support and can buy things for his two children when they need it, but in order to make rent, he collects money on the street. He has become a staple at this corner. He has his regulars who take care of him. I would go as far and say, they love him.
Lee only ever takes what he needs. If he's offered more than that he denies politely, "Would you mind if I save that for a rainy day?" meaning, I will take your help when I really need it.
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