Homeless and disabled: “I have been blessed.”
Published
"People say to me: 'Mr. Parker, you are always on the go!' I say 'Why aren't you? You're living, aren't you?' The more independent I am, the more I can do. The more I do for myself, the more I feel needed. My projects make me feel like an angel.
"This work ethic could easily be credited to the Entrepreneur of the Year. Instead, it belongs to one William Parker, a former 30-year commercial driver who also happens to be disabled and homeless.
After struggling with a disability that left him blind in one eye and limping, William lost everything-- his job, his house, his car. When William came into the Horizon Healthcare for the Homeless program, he was living in his truck, depressed and suffering from severe eczema. Dr. Jim Hartye, LCSW Catherine Thrash, and Outreach RN Jane Smith helped William physically and emotionally by getting his disability, his eczema and his anxiety under control. Catherine and Jane connected him to other community resources, who helped him find transitional housing and restore his disability payments.
"Without funding and faith, you are not going to survive. I didn't give up and just tried to learn new things."
You can help more people like William by donating to the Horizon Healthcare
for the Homeless program-- the ONLY healthcare for the homeless in Wake County.
 |
|
"Working with the homeless brings the power of the human spirit sharply into focus..." Dr. Jim Hartye |
How does it work? Using a unique integrated healthcare model, patients receive medical attention, behavioral health counseling, free prescriptions and other support services in the same location, even at the same time. Dr. Jim Hartye, LCSW Catherine Thrash and the staff guide patients down their own unique path to healing, meeting patients where they are--physically, emotionally and spiritually.
In 2010, Horizon Healthcare for the Homeless provided $677,382 in medical care at NO CHARGE to patients. Cuts in funding have left us in urgent need of your investment to keep these turnaround stories coming.
Will you please help change a life today?
Please donate to www.WakeHealth.org
Now that William is back on his feet, though not able to drive, he is trying to help people he met during his 2 years on the street...to "pay it forward" by being an inspiration for someone who needs assistance like he did.
"In a way, I'm glad I got sick. It taught me about life. I don't take it for granted now.
I am at peace. I have been blessed."
Become a fan: