How David is getting his groove back - Streets To Homes in action - Dorothy's Place

How David is getting his groove back – Streets To Homes in action

By Jill Allen, Executive Director.

David was born and raised in Salinas. He grew up surrounded by drug use within his family and at the age of 13, David was introduced to heroin. For about 40 years he has battled with his addiction to heroin and has been chronically homeless for about 20 years.

September 18, 2018, David was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. The impact of the vehicle resulted in a total of 42 broken bones which included his neck and back. David was in a coma for a short period and when he woke up, he was paralyzed. Dr. Reddy did amazing work on David throughout his eight and a half month stay at Natividad Medical Center. David endured numerous surgeries which left him in a wheelchair with his right leg amputated at the femur bone.

When released from the hospital, he had no choice but to return to Chinatown. In December 2019, David visited Natividad complaining of pain and discomfort in this amputation. When he was released in mid-January 2020, he was stripped of his previous pain medications and his catheter. He voiced his concern of relapsing. His concerns were dismissed, and David began using heroin again.

David requested Dorothy’s Place services in January 2020. At that time, he slept on the pavement across from the Streets To Homes office. His back injury and nerve damage left him incontinent and he reeked of urine. He was very embarrassed by that. David had no vital documents, no contact information, and no previous assistance. To our surprise, David was not already receiving disability benefits – he had no income. He was in constant pain that he numbed with heroin. When he used, it left him unaware and incoherent for long periods of time, during which his few possessions were
stolen. His Streets To Homes social worker helped him apply for Social Security Disability, but the turning point was when David was allowed a motel room through Project Roomkey. From there, he could get good sleep, keep medical appointments, and learn to function without heroin. Shortly thereafter, he received his disability award, and with his new income, qualified for a new studio apartment in Moon Gate Plaza. He moved in on June 30.

Since David’s transition from the streets to his own apartment, his objectives are to improve his health and take steps to create a fuller life for himself. He now engages in physical therapy and is focusing on maintaining his well being. David also made the decision to connect to Community Human Services and began his Methadone treatment. His goals are to get out of his wheelchair and walk with the assistance of his prosthetic leg, and eventually be free of his addiction completely.

With love, respect and compassion, Dorothy’s Place provides essential services, transitional support and housing assistance to people experiencing the injustice of homelessness and extreme poverty.

Without your financial support, our work doesn’t happen. Join us! Stand with us as we assist people from street life to home life. Your solidarity is humbly and gratefully received.