Lee and Adam

On a recent visit to town the other day, we happened upon two of the towns homeless people Lee and Adam are brothers and between them have been living on the streets for over two decades.

In conversation they explained how with a mixture of family tragedy, substance abuse and bad luck they had both fallen through the cracks in society and now found themselves sitting in the doorway of the old Co-op bank. Long since closed down. I asked them if I could take their picture for this website on the understanding that I tell the people of this town that not all homeless are bad people. I can do that. And they allowed me some shots.

You often hear it said that most of us are a pay check away from homelessness and in this day and age more than ever with the cost of living and after 13 years of austerity. I have been lucky. I have always ended the day with a warm bed to sleep in and a full stomach. Many, like Lee and Adam have not been so blessed. It would be too easy to spout of hollow wishy washy, liberalisms on the homeless, but I honestly do not have the answer for this most pressing social problem. I wish I had.

Things don't look like they are going to get better for the brothers, even with them being on a program to clear them of some of the substances they have taken to numb themselves against their predicament. They seem like two descent people. I was glad we met them and helped them out a small bit in their long and cold days. So the least I can do is tell the world that not all homeless are bad and not just walk by them.