Homeless at age 61

[Digital Magic]

Hello all, My name is Bob Shepard and I am a 61 year old Vietnam Veteran(1967-1968), who has been homeless for the last 4 years, (and yes I am able to get on line at times). I also have exactly $1.25 to my name.  I have NEVER used any illegal drug and in fact until last week was not even on any prescriptions. I have had fewer than 6 drinks in any of the last 4 years, and NEVER abused alcholol.

I have recently, within the last month contacted the VA to seek assistance, and while they were accomadating, they have not been able to offer me any immediate assistance.  They have filed a claim for possible PTSD and have treated me in the VA hospital Seattle for the collapse of three of my 4 by pass arteries.  I had a heart attack 11 years ago and underwent a quadruple bypass in Denver.

I have been in Anacortes, WA for the past two years, although I have no connection to the area at all, I came here to obtain a specific job as the Director of Sales and Marketing for a large Resort located here.  As is the history of my life, that job ended with me being fired.

My only family is located in Ohio and Baltimore Md.  My father (90 y/o) lives in Ohio and my only sibling a sister who is 15 years younger lives in Baltimore.  She has offered to assist me with some support to get me back on my feet, if I can get to Baltimore.  The move makes snese also to the VA medical department as there is the large VA hospital there and PUBLIC transportation is readily available, compared to here which has not inter county transportation, so getting to Seattle (90 miles) is impossible on public transportation, except for the train.

I am simply "telling" my story to see if anyone has any suggestions I have not explored.  This is not a plea for money.

Thnaks,

[webcrawler]

Hi Bob, I'm wondering how you found this site? Is your sister not able to afford the Greyhound ticket? I'm not sure what the VA has to offer out there, but the one where I live there is a program for homeless vets and assist with things like this. The other options are to call information to get the number for Traveler's Aid or find some local social service agengies to purchase the bus ticket. Are you staying in a shelter right now that could actually verify who you are if I called? My heart is just tempted to wire a bus ticket when I get paid but I don't know if this post is for real or not.

[Digital Magic]

I am NOT in a shelter at this time, there are none in the area that are not full.  I think that if you call the VA hospital in Seattle and talk to my social workers Joleen Shaughnessy at 800-329-8837 ext, 66736 or Jen Perry at 800-329-8387 ext 65474 and give them my last name SHEPARD and the last 4 digits of my Social Security number 7211 she can verify everything.  They have a mailing address for me in anacortes, which is c/o a nice person.  

I found this web site while researching PTSD claims today from the library.

Because of my heart condition I would much rather take the train to Baltimore, it is approximately $20 more than the Greyhound bus.  A ticket from Mount Vernon Washington to Baltimore MD is $150. I would like to leave here on October 12th.  I have a promise of a cash job on the 9th which would give me some traveling money.  I am actually a professional photographer, and have obtained a wedding to shoot.  I will make $200 for the shots.

I have tried many various agencies to help me out, as you are correct, my sister at the moment DOES NOT have the extra cash to help me out.  She does however have a very good job, just a bad time for her personally. I would be happy to give you her phone number also to talk to her.

It seems funny, but if I was an alcholic or a drug addict, there are lots of places that would help me, but again I just do not look like I am in need of help.  In my earlier years I was a bank manager for a very large bank in California ( I lived in San Diego since 1966) I have also been the National Sales manager for NCR (Dayton Ohio), was married twice for a total of 30 years.  Divorced since 1998.

Thanks for your interest in my "case"  You can contact me off this list at [email protected]

Bob

[Deprogrammed]

On 2005-09-27 14:48:00, Digital Magic wrote:

"Hello all, My name is Bob Shepard and I am a 61 year old Vietnam Veteran(1967-1968), who has been homeless for the last 4 years, (and yes I am able to get on line at times). I also have exactly $1.25 to my name.  I have NEVER used any illegal drug and in fact until last week was not even on any prescriptions. I have had fewer than 6 drinks in any of the last 4 years, and NEVER abused alcholol.



I have recently, within the last month contacted the VA to seek assistance, and while they were accomadating, they have not been able to offer me any immediate assistance.  They have filed a claim for possible PTSD and have treated me in the VA hospital Seattle for the collapse of three of my 4 by pass arteries.  I had a heart attack 11 years ago and underwent a quadruple bypass in Denver.



I have been in Anacortes, WA for the past two years, although I have no connection to the area at all, I came here to obtain a specific job as the Director of Sales and Marketing for a large Resort located here.  As is the history of my life, that job ended with me being fired.



My only family is located in Ohio and Baltimore Md.  My father (90 y/o) lives in Ohio and my only sibling a sister who is 15 years younger lives in Baltimore.  She has offered to assist me with some support to get me back on my feet, if I can get to Baltimore.  The move makes snese also to the VA medical department as there is the large VA hospital there and PUBLIC transportation is readily available, compared to here which has not inter county transportation, so getting to Seattle (90 miles) is impossible on public transportation, except for the train.



I am simply "telling" my story to see if anyone has any suggestions I have not explored.  This is not a plea for money.



Thnaks,




"

I was wondering if the redcross could possibly help you with transportation???
You have great courage to tell your story here, and I sincerely wish ye well! I am sorry to hear about your deteriorating health and present circumstances.

-DP

There go the people. I must follow them for I am their leader.
--Alexandre Ledru-Rollin