How`s My Vending?

Cononie appears on Dr. Phil
F
or those who did not see
the Doctor Phil show on December 12th where Sean was a
guest this story is written so we
can recap it for you. (You can
view
it
on
www.homelessnewswire.net)
As most of you know Sean is
one of the leading advocates on
Homeless Hate Crimes in the
country.
Sean admits he
Cathy’s
Prayer List
•
Daysmiel
• Sage
• Tommy
• Hollywood
• Joseph
• Julie
• Roger’s Family
• Killingsworth Family
• Owens Family
• New Destiny
International
Christian Center
of Tamarac
• William Skofstad
• Kerri Fitzpatrick
• Nahimana
To add a name
to the list call
954
954--410
410--6275
No monetary
donations needed
Names will be listed
in paper for 6 months
How’s My
Vending?
Call (954)
925-6466
X101
learned everything off of Michael Stoops who is the director of the National Coalition
for the Homeless in Washington DC. According to Cononie
Stoops is the ultimate authority
on these crimes against the
homeless.
The show was based
on why these crimes occur and
why are these kids hunting and
killing the homeless like it was
a sport. Invited on
the show was the
producer of the video
series “Bum Fights.”
The video series is
based on homeless
people beating each
Teen who beat homeless man to
death says videos influenced him
The Associated Press
other up for just a few dollars
provided by the producer of the
series. The homeless are also
paid a few dollars or given a
six pack of beer to perform
dangerous and degrading acts
on themselves and others who
are homeless. In one case a
homeless persons’ tooth is
ripped out with pliers. At first
when you see the videos you
don’t think it is as bad as it
(Continued on page 6)
Lawmaker seeks to make beating up
the homeless a hate crime
A
ttacking a homeless
person would become a
hate crime, bringing increased penalties, under a bill
filed in the Florida Legislature, a reaction to highprofile beatings of South
Florida street dwellers.
A similar measure was
filed last year but died without passing the Senate.
The proposal, which
would mean longer sentences
for those convicted of assaulting the homeless, was
spurred by a series of attacks
that gained widespread attention, including one beating
near Fort Lauderdale that left
45-year-old Norris Gaynor
dead and another shocking
attack that was captured on
video and broadcast worldwide.
The security video tape
showed young men hitting
Jacques Pierre with a baseball bat on the campus of
Florida Atlantic University
the same night they allegedly
killed Gaynor. Another man
was also beaten that night,
allegedly by the same young
men.
Another four teenagers
are also facing charges of
attempted murder for a September attack in a Fort
Lauderdale park on another
homeless man, William Tee(Continued on page 11)
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida One of several
teenagers who beat a homeless man to death was
influenced by videos featuring homeless people
brawling and performing dangerous stunts, according to a television interview transcript.
Jeffery Spurgeon, 19, expressed his first
public remorse for the May 2005 killing in the
interview that will be broadcast Sunday on CBS'
"60 Minutes." It was conducted from a Jasper
penitentiary where Spurgeon is serving an up to
35-year sentence.
Spurgeon said he and the others beat
Michael Roberts, a frail 53-year-old homeless man
who lived in the woods, "for fun." He said they
were emulating scenes from "bum-rushing videos," according to the transcript. He mentioned
"Bumfights," a video series available online, as a
favorite.
The videos depict homeless men and
women engaged in humiliating, self-destructive
acts, including ripping out teeth and ramming
themselves into doors.
Roberts died after three separate attacks
with sticks, fists and logs. Justin Stearns, 19,
Christopher Scamahorn, 16, and Warren Messner,
17, also were convicted and are serving prison
terms from 22 to 35 years. Phi Huynh, 16, the fifth
member of the group charged in connection with
the attacks on Roberts, is awaiting trial.
Neither Spurgeon nor the others explained why they attacked Roberts during a weeklong sentencing proceeding in April, and
Spurgeon's attorney Mitch Wrenn said the "60
Minutes" interview surprised him.
"I don't remember anything about bum
fighting coming up," he said.
According to the Bumfights Web site,
the videos are satire meant to call attention to the
problems of poverty and violence.
The
Homeless
Voice Needs
Volunteer
Reporters Call
954-410-6275
Hospital Accused of Dumping
Homeless Patients
Kaiser Permanente is among 10 hospitals
under investigation by city prosecutors for allegedly discharging homeless patients to the streets of
Skid Row rather than to a relative or shelter.
The case against it stems from a March surveillance video showing a 63-year-old patient
from Kaiser Permanente's Bellflower hospital
wandering Skid Row in a hospital gown and slippers. Prosecutors describe what happened to Carol
Ann Reyes in a 20-page document supporting the
false imprisonment and dependent-care abuse
charges.
"We seek to end the inhumane and illegal
(Continued on page 11)
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 2
FRIENDS OF THE HOMELESS
For just $15.00 a month you can keep a
homeless family off the streets for a day.
Mail check to:
Friends of the Homeless
P.O. Box 292-577
Davie, FL 33329
Please include on memo what
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name should appear in paper.
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The Cononie Family
The Targett Family
Patrick Helings
John Bendor
In Loving Memory of
Uncle Joe & Nana
Shannon Brooks
Lisa Cebrat
Pakita Price
Nana Sullivan
The Watsons
Sean Cononie
Sally Lister
Judith Kelly
Martha Roman
The Baptista Family
John Criasia
Daniel Harrison
The Martinez Family
Amanda Reynolds
Dolores R. Cerra
Bob Hall
Tressie W. Osborne
Clark Rogers
The Savir Family
Corinne James
The Browns
Chris Sanchez
Hugo DeCarpintini
Mario Yuio
Richard Friedman
Diane Friedman
Uylna Quadrino
Arnold Reemer
In Loving Memory of
Peter Sullivan
Maryann Springer
Elaine Snaith
Marshal Bugin
Keith Yude
Bruce Wethersoon
Isabelle J. Henry
Raul Cardenas M.D.
Wendy Bryan
Jacqueline McCarty
Albert J Taragowski
Darla King
Paula King
Richard Gomez
Anthony Ralph
Jennifer Hicky
Timothy Lukehard
Thomas Rua
The Jackson Family
Justin Rowan
Mary Green
Morris Grazi
Marvin Shatze
Ronald Shafer
Vance Gunn
Adam Staler
Allen Yancy
Jimmy Daniels
Mel Blount
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Carol Lockette
Joe Golden
Anna Marye Levier
Magan Narduzzi
Andre Johnson
Antione Collins
Eric Harrison
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Jessica Padilla
Sheldon Jones
Carlo Harrison
Jason Emrik
Dan Gilcert
Amber Rowan
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Jackie Johnson
Ricky Cambell
Dorr’e Terry
Samual Manery
Marilyn Vokish
Jenny Curic
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Amy Curic
Lisa Jackson
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Jim Johnson
Bobby Neal
Erica Fulton
Darren Nolf
Erica Sanclair
Steve Dillan
Dallan Michele King
Bobby Ore
Casandra Thomas
Tara Hunter
Mark Faber
Nichole Faber
Kevin Britt
The Cable Family
The Maione Family
Barbara Strong
Grace Marth
Regla J Ferrer
The Baldwin Family
Horace Gracie
Russell J. Ferguson
Marjorie G. Rhines
Jamie F. Flores
In Loving Memory Of
Thomas Gasbarro
Cathy and Kids
The Davis Family
Graham R. Mitchell
Essential Oil Healthline
Amparo L. Korey
John’s Plumbing Service
Thank You Winn Dixie
Ms. Marilyn Smith
Albert J. Taragowski
Ruth C Grey
Mike Cross
Tamara Southard
Raul Cardenas MD PA
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Al and Annie
Hurricane Prevention Inc
Danny and George
The Thompson Family
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OTD Messenger, Inc
M. Smith
Yorick and Bonita
Parrica Lee Russ &
Delores B Mordon
Robert Jesus Llanes
Comet Couriev
Proietto Family
In Memory of
Billy Corwin
Josh Searles
Patricia Lee Russ
Delores B Mordon
Mrs. Jenkins
Everglades Moon,
Covenant of Goddess,
Elibet Hanson
Judy B. Pascarella
John Gaeta
Michael R. Prokop, Jr.
Jackie M. McCarty
In Memory of
Charles Horton
In Memory of
William F. Judge
Todd Palgon
The Morabito Family
Todd Palgon
Holly J. Andrus
Lois Cross
In Loving Memory of
Florence & Nat Popkin
Tailored Advertising, Inc
Claudia K. Tapolow
Margie Jones
In memory of
Wesley H. Woodall
Maria M. Riveiro
Gottlieb & Blair Family
Pioneer Middle School Youth
Crime Watch
Rhenals-Mei Family
The Strikowski family
Margie Jones & Friends
Ronald Prescia
In Memory of
Brian Groleau
Laura Flash
Jacqueline M. McCarty
The Herrmann Family
The Monserrate Family
Madeline Butera
Jennifer S. Nickel
Marilyn R. Smith
David Thawley
On Behalf of
Matthew Lambert
Mustafa Mehmet Gokoglu
In Memory of
Scott Paul Cooper
Robert and Ruth Baal
In Memory of
Melba DeSanto
In Memory of
My Mother
Pearl McCann,
Love Teresa
Barbara Desanto
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Marie Sutera
Floyd and Luana Coats
Doug Boucher Family
Kevin Jones
Dorothy Griffith Family
In Loving Memory of
Kris Soltan
Kevin “KJ” Jones
Douglas Boucher
The Swartout's
Ivonne Fernandez
The Verny &
Stewart Families
In Loving Memory of
Frances Klein
The Herrmann Family
John C. Burt
Albert Taragowski
Renato & Malika Vasconez
In Memory of C.T.R.
Adriana Fernandez
Andrea Brown
The Kunicki Family
Thank you so much, Sean & Lois,
for all your help.
–Joan Futscher & Kids
McAvoy Family
The Geise Family
Richard & Margaret Martin
Kenny Angela
Adriana N. Quila
Elizabeth P. Sublett
Barbara Robinson
Mark E. Johnson
Adrienne and Mike
Julio A. Izquierdo
Ann M. Hamilton
Nicole Lee Nelson
Anthony Rhodes
Susan P Brady
Christine M Wilson
K.J. Williams
Renato and Malika Vasconez
Christine McAuliffe
In Memory of
Chief George J. Hodges
Real Breakthrough Solutions
Hartford Property Connection, Inc.
In Loving Memory of Donald Fraser
In Loving Memory of
Rex Lichtenberger
In Loving Memory of
Jose A. Estruch, Jr.
Ronald & Cathy Walker
Real Breakthrough Solutions
Ms. Evelyn Salerno
Nicole Lee Nelson
Al & Barbara Liebmann
In Loving Memory of
Isabel Grimany
Dr Mary Michaela Farren
Barbara N Robinson
In Memory of
My Good Friend Pat Gibson
Fred T Verny JR
Nicole Lee Nelson
YOUR NAME HERE
Leah and Ray
Michael & Michale Rhett
Did you know?
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Homeless Voice
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Page 3
Volume IX, Issue 1
HOMELESS VOICE
Thank you for all the extra help over the holiday
season. We had a lot of success with our holiday
projects; the Soap & Shampoo Drive, the Computer Lab, the Feeding Projects, and all the unexpected holiday gifts we received for the clients and
their children. This will be a Holiday to remember.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
SEND TO:
P.O. BOX 292-577
DAVIE, FLORIDA 33329
FAX TO: 954-926-2022
EMAIL: info@homelessvoice.org
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VOICE FOR ANY CHARITY ARE ADVERTISED
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ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR
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YOU FOR HELPING THE HOMELESS
H OM ELESS
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Is sues
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F L O R ID A AUTO
IN SU R A N C E IN C .
6 7 4 0 T A F T S T R E E T ,H O L L Y W O O D
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SER V IC E FEE W I TH
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T Y P ES O F
IN S U R A N CE F O R
A L L Y O U R N E ED S
9 5 4 -9 6 3 -7 3 3 3
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 4
HOMELESSVOICE
ADVANTAGE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
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ACI supports the Homeless Voice and the Cosac Foundation in raising awareness and
providing solutions to homelessness in our neighborhoods.
ACI knows that lending aid to human beings in need is good for our souls, our
communities and is simply the right thing to do.
ACI would like to thank all people who are actively engaged in helping humanity here
on the blue planet.
God bless the Cosac Foundation
Commercial, Industrial, & Government 2-way Radio
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Mark Lavallee, President 954-961-2642
Excellence in Radio
Blaze Kills 10 at Home for Mentally Ill
Investigators Say It May Be Tied to Smaller Fire
A
fire gutted a group home which was still under investigafor the mentally ill in tion when the second blaze besouthwest Missouri early Mon- gan.
Seven people in Monday's
day, killing 10 people and infire were treated at Freeman
juring 25, authorities said.
Firefighters brought the Neosho Hospital for smoke
inhalation and reblaze at the Anderhospital
son Guest House The home had 33 leased,
under control just residents and two s p o k e s w o m a n
before daylight,
employees inside Emily Stanley said.
Conditions of the
but blackened cinderblock
walls when the fire was other injured were
reported
not known.
were all that reThose treated at the
mained standing.
The home had 33 residents scene were at another facility
and two employees inside when operated by the home's owner,
the fire was reported around 1 Joplin River of Life Ministries
a.m., Highway Patrol spokes- Inc., Casey said.
The cause was under invesman Kent Casey said.
The dead ranged in age tigation, and names of the vicfrom early 20s to the elderly, he tims had not been released.
A woman who answered
said. Nineteen people were
taken to area hospitals and six the phone at Joplin River of
were treated at the scene, Casey Life Ministries on Monday
morning said it was not releassaid.
Authorities were trying to ing any information and hung
determine if the fatal blaze was up the phone.
"I saw the front door blow
linked to a smaller fire at the
facility Saturday morning, As- open with fire," said neighbor
sistant Fire Marshal Greg Car- Steven Spears, 47, who said he
was up watching TV and saw
rell said.
He did not believe anyone the blaze erupt through security
was injured in the first fire, cameras he has outside his
home. "I know most of them
(the residents). I've talked to all
of them at one time or another.
It still hasn't hit me."
Inspectors from the Missouri Department of Health and
Senior Services, which licenses
the facility, found some deficiencies at the home in March
but none related to fire safety,
agency spokeswoman Nanci
Gonder said.
"This is a devastating situation and we express our sympathy to the families of those who
were killed or injured in the
fire," Gonder said in a news
release.
The facility also has a license from the Missouri Department of Mental Health that
allowed mentally ill residents
to live at the home and receive
treatment elsewhere.
Mental Health spokesman
Bob Bax said 17 of the facility's residents were receiving
services from the department
through the Ozark Center in
Joplin.
Around the corner I have a
friend, in this great city that has no
end, yet the days go by and weeks rush
on, and before I know it, a year is
gone.
And I never see my old friends
face, for life is a swift and terrible
race. He knows I like him just as well,
as in the days when I rang his bell.
And he rang mine but we were
younger then, and now we are busy,
tired men. Tired of playing a foolish
game, tired of trying to make a name.
"Tomorrow" I say! "I will call
on Jim just to show that I'm thinking
of him."
But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, and distance between us
grows and grows.
Around the corner, yet miles
away, "Here's a telegram sir," "Jim
died today."
And that's what we get and
deserve in the end. Around the corner,
a vanished friend.
Remember to always say what
you mean. If you love someone, tell
them. Don't be afraid to express yourself. Reach out and tell someone what
they mean to you. Because when you
decide that it is the right time it might
be too late.
Seize the day. Never have
regrets. And most importantly, stay
close to your friends and family, for
they have helped make you the person
that you are today.
My Computer People, Inc
(954) 563-1601
Repairs • Upgrades • Service
Networking • Printer Repair
3553 North Dixie Highway
Oakland Park, Fl 33334
Email: info@mycomputerpeople.biz
Advantage Communications, Inc.
is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation
"Excellence in Radio"
Page 5
Volume IX, Issue 1
HOMELESSVOICE
What You Should Know About Trans Fats
I
t's the sinister ingredient often glance at the nutrition facts panel
overlooked in a quick scan of will reveal trans fat content right
food labels. Trans fats may add below saturated fat -- unless the
that extra crunch to crispy foods, product has less than 0.5 grams
but they also raise your bad cho- per serving.
lesterol.
W h a t
Now, health
Makes Them So
...health officials Bad?
officials plan to explan to expose
pose "hidden" trans
T r a n s
fats in your favorite "hidden" trans fats in fats are formed
foods.
when hydrogen is
Until
t h i s your favorite foods. added to a vegemonth, consumers had
table oil, convertto seek out words like "partially ing it from a liquid fat to a solid,
hydrogenated" to uncover the more shelf-stable fat (think marunhealthy ingredient, but under garine). The process allows
the new rule, food manufacturers greater functionality in foods,
must disclose the amount of trans making crunchy foods crispier
fats in their products. A quick and creamy foods smoother.
Millions of acetaminophen pills recalled due
to metal fragments
Commonly found in processed
foods like cookies, crackers,
baked goods and the like, these
fats raise harmful LDL cholesterol levels. The result: an increased risk for heart disease.
Seemingly healthful
foods, like granola bars and cereals, may also contain trans fats,
surprisingly. Plus, they're a natural component of some high-fat
meat and dairy products. Health
officials say that making consumers aware of the damaging ingredient could prevent up to 1,200
cases of coronary heart disease
and save between 250 and 500
lives over the next three years.
How to Lighten Your
Load
The American Heart Association recommends restricting
total fat intake to no more than
"Sooner or later we must realize there is no
station, no one place to arrive at once and for
all. The true joy of life is the trip."
— Robert Hastings
Submitted by Zuly Gil
A
way Stores and SuperValu Inc. They
major manufacturer of acetatypically sell the Perrigo-made pills
minophen sold by Wal-Mart,
under private labels.
CVS, Safeway and more than 100
Perrigo, based in Allegan,
other retailers recalled 11 million
Mich., said the pills contained raw
bottles of the widely used painmaterial purchased from a thirdrelieving pills Thursday after disparty
supplier
covering some were
and affected 383
contaminated with
batches. A commetal fragments.
pany spokesman
There were
did not immedino immediate reately return a
ports of injuries or
call
seeking
illness. The recall
comment.
affects bottles conAcetaminophen
taining
various
is best known as
amounts of 500the drug in prodmilligram
caplets
ucts sold under
made by the Perrigo
the
Tylenol
Co.
brand, but is
The conThe 129 retailers that widely available
taminated pills inin generic vercluded metal fragcould potentially be
sions. The drug,
ments ranging in
affected by the recall
along with aspisize
from
“microdots” to por- include Wal-Mart Stores rin and ibuprotions of wire one- Inc., CVS Corp., Safeway fen, is one of the
most
widely
third of an inch long,
Stores and
used pain relievthe Food and Drug
ers
available
Administration said.
SuperValu Inc.
without a docPerrigo discovered
tor's note. The
the metal bits during
retail market for the pain-relievers is
quality-control checks after realizing
worth more than $2 billion a year,
the equipment it uses to make pills
according to Perrigo.
was wearing down prematurely, the
The recall does not affect
FDA said.
Tylenol. The recall should not cause
A company investigation
a shortage of acetaminophen, the
turned up metal in roughly 200 pills,
FDA said. The voluntary recall is
after passing 70 million of the capconsidered a Class II recall since it
lets through a metal detector, accovers products that might cause a
cording to the FDA.
temporary health problem or pose
Consumers who swallow
only a slight threat of a serious naany of the contaminated pills could
ture, according to the FDA.
suffer minor stomach discomfort or
Consumers with questions
possible cuts to the mouth and
can call Perrigo toll free at (877)
throat, the FDA said, adding that the
546-0454.
risk of serious injury was remote.
Customers can check
Anyone who suspects they have
whether products they bought are
been injured should contact a doctor,
being recalled by checking the store
the agency said.
list on the FDA Web site, http://
The FDA posted on its
www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/
Web site the recalled batch numbers
and the dozens of chains supplied by perrigo/perrigocustlist.html, and the
batch list, http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/
Perrigo, which bills itself as the
firmrecalls/perrigo/
world's largest manufacturer of store
perrigobatchlist.html
-brand nonprescription drugs. The
129 retailers that could potentially
be affected by the recall include Wal
-Mart Stores Inc., CVS Corp., Safe-
eight teaspoons per day. And
while there's no recommended
dietary allowance for trans fats,
experts claim intake should be
limited. The best way to lighten
your fat load: rely on whole
foods, lean meats, fruits and
vegetables. And when you need
some fat to make foods more palatable, stick to oils like olive,
canola and peanut rather than
saturated and trans-fat laden butter or margarine.
-- Amy Paturel, M.S., M.P.H.
The USDA has cut off giving food to
residents of shelters. Free food from
the USDA is only granted for our soup
kitchen. This will increase our budget
by $5,000 a month, we need your help!
Have your church do a food drive once a
month!!!
•
•
Spaghetti
Spaghetti Sauce
• Oatmeal
• Grits
• Eggs or Egg batter
Ground Turkey or Ground Beef
• Garlic Powder
• Sugar
• Assorted Spices
• Barbecue Sauce
• Syrup for Pancakes
•
•
Pancake Mix
Instant Potatoes
• Milk
• Foil
• Powder Drink Mix
• Ice Tea
• Cheese for Sandwiches
• Hamburger Patties
• Toilet paper
• Chicken
•
Please Call
954-920-1277
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 6
HOMELESSVOICE
Cononie appears on Dr. Phil
first place. As we dig
really is. The producer deeper we find that many
states that they are educat- of these kids either own the
ing the public to show the Bum Fights Videos or they
world how homeless peo- have watched them time
ple really act and how they after time.
live day by day. However
The studio flew us
it is every advocate’s point out there and they provided
of view that these videos a car service to take us to
are nothing more than to the studio. When we arexploit the homeless who rived at the Paramount Picare desperate
tures Stufor money to
dios
we
do acts that
were sent
Several kids who to Sean’s
most
people
would not do
have been arrested dressing
for any amount
room. First
of money. We for killing a homeless we
got
all know des- person have admitted briefed and
perate people
that they got their this is when
do
desperate
we found
things and it is idea off of the video out that the
most advocates
producer of
“Bum Fights.”
feeling that this
the videos
is the reason
was also a
the
homeless
allowed guest. This is when Sean
themselves to take part in also found out that Norris
these vicious videos.
Gaynor’s sister Samone
Several kids who was also going to be on the
have been arrested for kill- show. In case you do not
ing a homeless person have remember Norris Gaynor
admitted that they got their was the young man in
idea off of the video “Bum January of 2006 that was
Fights.”
Advocates and beaten to death while he
even the general public feel slept on a park bench in
that these videos do noth- Fort Lauderdale.
That
ing but dehumanize the same night two other
homeless person. So one homeless men were atwould think that these kids tacked but did not die. I
are thinking that the home- am quite sure all of you
less are not even real hu- remember this incident
mans then it is not a big because the news went all
deal to degrade the home- over the world because one
less and kill them like it of the attacks was caught
was nothing. Time after on video tape. Many protime when these kids get grams and new laws that
arrested they continue to we all are trying to get
say it was all for fun and passed will be titled after
that it was not a big deal Norris because it hit us all
that they killed them. The so hard when this happolice do their own investi- pened. To actually watch
gation to convict but soci- some kids hit a homeless
ologist, advocates, and re- person with a baseball bat
porters go a little deeper to while they lay helpless on
see what made them do the ground was so bad to
these vicious acts in the most of us that we all will
(Continued from page 1)
Shania
never forget it. Unfortunately for Norris and his
family, Norris will most
likely be the most famous
homeless person who was
killed simply because they
were homeless. However
even though Norris lost his
life his legend will live on.
It was a very touching moment for Norris' sister; she
told it like it was. She
made it clear to the ones
who kicked her brother and
to prevent other attacks.
She wanted people to know
that someone loved Norris
and that was his family and
they had no right to take
him away like they did.
She was a little nervous at
first but Sean kept on giving her the thumbs up that
she was doing just fine.
After the show Sean told
her that there was not one
person in America who
would have done a better
job than she. Sean claimed
that her interview would
save other homeless people
from becoming victims and
also to change the hearts of
others who may do such a
horrible act in the future.
Doctor Phil then
called on Sean several
times to give his expert
opinion about these attacks
and also to either confirm
or deny what the producers
of ‘Bum Fights’ claimed.
Of course Sean could only
say that truth and to him
the truth was that the producers’ main reason for
making these videos was to
increase their personal
wealth.
If you have not
noticed as of yet, I have
chosen not to mention the
producers of ‘Bum Fights’
name in this story. I feel
that they should get no
credit what so ever for
these videos. In a way Dr
Phil felt the same way and
eventually threw the producer off the stage. At first
the producer did not want
to leave the stage but then
Dr. Phil’s security came
out and removed him. At
the end of the segment Dr.
Phil said to Sean that it
must be expensive to run a
homeless
shelter
and
handed Sean a check for
$25,000 to be used to help
the homeless.
Already in progress are programs being
designed to help prevent
these attacks in the future
and we shall name them
after Norris. May Norris’
family find comfort knowing that their sons’ death
will make a change in
America very soon. May
the Lord give them comfort
Cononie reviews data on the Bum Fights video series. The
Dr. Phil Show put Sean and Sean's staff in a nice hotel in
down town Hollywood.
Left to Right Sara Targett editor of The Homeless Voice,
Sean Cononie, and Mark Targett who brings the Homeless
Voice to your car window every month. This was after the
show in the studio parking lot . All three were still excited by
the generous donation that the Dr. Phil Foundation gave to
work on the Hate Crimes projects. This is the same time
that all three of them decided to share and split the money
with the National Coalition for the Homeless who does such
important work to end the vicious attacks on the homeless
Mark Targett met with Drea de Matteo of the Sopranos TV
show, in real life she believes that the homeless should be
treated just like her and mark
at all times, may the Lord
take Norris right into
heaven and give him his
very own park where he
can relax and read in peace.
May the Lord change the
hearts of those who attack
others for no reason at all.
At the end of the
show all the Homeless
Voice staff decided that
half the money should be
shared with the National
Coalition for the Homeless
because Sean reports to
them
on
all
hate
crime issues and this is a
National problem as well as
a local problem and the
people in DC need as much
as possible trying to aid the
Homeless as a protected
class in the Federal hate
crimes statue. We are only
steps away from getting the
Homeless on the already
established law, making it a
more serious crime if you
try to hurt a Homeless person based on hate.
Written By Mark Targett
Advantage Communications, Inc.
is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation
"Excellence in Radio"
Page 7
Volume IX, Issue 1
HOMELESSVOICE
Last month we started to really enhance our Burn that Mortgage Campaign. We did not do as good as we expected but in reality we
did do good because anytime someone sends you a donation you are grateful even though you don’t make your goals. We are thankful for the
people who helped us and for the people who could not help us out because we know their prayers are with us. We are getting there and we
will indeed pay off this mortgage. So we ask you one more time to reach in and try to get others to help us meet our goal. In fact let’s all
make a new goal. Look how much the friend’s column has grown over the years. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had to devote two whole pages to
the friend’s column? Today we give you the challenge to bring five of your friends to our friend’s column so we can still keep on helping the
ones who need help the most. Please remember it is going to be raining a lot during the next few months and we also need help with our rain
budget. This money is saved for rainy days so when the vendors are not out there raising money for the homeless we can pull from the rain
conserved funds.
Please go to page 2 and follow the directions and let’s add some of your friends to this column.
5 Tips for New Year's Resolutions
From Amber J. Tresca,
The best way to keep your resolution is to plan
ahead.
Chances are, at some time in your life you've made a New Year's Resolution - and then broken it. This year, stop the cycle of resolving to
make change, but not following through. Here are 10 tips to help get
you started.
1. Be realistic: The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make
your goal unattainable. For instance, resolving to never eat your favorite desserts again could be a bad choice. Strive for a goal that is attainable.
2. Plan ahead: Don't make your resolution on New Year's Eve. If you
wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mind-set that particular day. Instead it should be well planned before December 31 arrives.
3. Talk about it: Don't keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and
family members who will be there to support your resolve to change
yourself for the better. The best case scenario is to find yourself a
buddy who shares your New Year's Resolution and motivate each other.
4. Don't Beat Yourself Up: Obsessing over the occasional slip won't
help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take
them one at a time.
5. Stick to it: Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity,
such as exercising, to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become
part of your personality.
Keep trying: If your resolution has totally run out of steam by midFebruary, don't despair. Start over again! There's no reason you can't
make a "New Year's Resolution" any time of year.
Main Entry: res·o·lu·tion
Function: noun
Pronunciation: “re-zo-'lü-shon”
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French resolution, from Latin resolution-, resolutio, from resolvere
1 : the act or process of reducing to simpler form: as a : the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones b : the act of answering : SOLVING c : the act of
determining d : the passing of a voice part from a dissonant to a consonant tone or
the progression of a chord from dissonance to consonance e : the separating of a
chemical compound or mixture into its constituents f (1) : the division of a prosodic
element into its component parts (2) : the substitution in Greek or Latin prosody of
two short syllables for a long syllable g : the analysis of a vector into two or more
vectors of which it is the sum h : the process or capability of making distinguishable
the individual parts of an object, closely adjacent optical images, or sources of light
2 : the subsidence of a pathological state (as inflammation)
3 a : something that is resolved <made a resolution to mend my ways> b : firmness
of resolve
4 : a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent voted by an official body or assembled group
5 : the point in a literary work at which the chief dramatic complication is worked
out
synonym see COURAGE
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 8
HOMELESSVOICE
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Prayer Request:
I understand the weather in Iraq is very
difficult to bear right now. Our troops need our
prayers for strength, endurance and safety.
The Cooperative Feeding Program is in
desperate need of food for the
com m unity food pantry.
•
•
•
•
T he shelves are
empty and we need to
feed our co mmunity
members that need
just a litt le help.
P lease get with your
church, optimi st
clubs, schools, or
social clubs and do a food drive so our little ones,
seniors and individuals get some food in their
bellies.
P lease call 954-792-2E A T
www.F ee dingB roward .org
Learn how to start your ow n food
pantry so your ow n group can do
w hat w e do to help our poorest
members of our community. G o to
w w w.Training.cscBrow ard.org.
Project name: The Cupboard Is Bare.
Advantage Communications, Inc.
is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation
"Excellence in Radio"
Page 9
Volume IX, Issue 1
HOMELESSVOICE
Ceremony will remember Broward's homeless as deaths
rise in county
T
hey died in alleys and parks.
They were shot, stabbed,
beaten and burned to death. They
hanged or shot themselves. Some
bodies could no longer withstand
the abuse from cocaine or alcohol. Some drowned. One walked
in front of a train.
At least 98 homeless
people have died in Broward
County since late November
2005, far more than in the past,
according to the medical examiner's office. And each had a
story.
The baseball-bat beating
of Norris Gaynor on Jan. 12 in
Fort Lauderdale made national
headlines. Few others prompted
much media attention, let alone
an obituary.
But they will be remembered tonight.
Homeless people will
converge on Fort Lauderdale's
First United Methodist Church,
101 SE Third Ave., at 5 p.m., to
light candles, eat a hot meal, receive gift toiletries and recite the
names of every person who died
without a home in the past year.
"The first reason is to
remember those who have died;
the second is to provide some joy
to those who have made it
through the year," said Laura
Hansen, CEO of the Coalition to
End Homelessness which is
sponsoring Homeless Persons'
Memorial Day.
But Hansen's joy is
tinged with alarm because the
number of homeless deaths in
Broward County is mounting.
At least 67 people listed
as homeless died from November
2004 to November 2005, according to medical examiner statistician Nicholas Polizos. Thirtythree died in 2003-2004 and 41
died in 2001-2002.
Similarly, some
The cause of
people do not carry a walthe increase is uncerlet that contains an adtain, but some groups
dress, and if they are later
that deal with the
found to have had a home,
homeless daily think
they aren't always removed
it reflects a spike in
Often when a homeless person
from the list of deceased
the homeless population.
dies carrying identification with homeless people.
The often-quoted
"Housing is
a former address, they are not
figure of 3,100 homeless
getting too expensive
in Broward comes from a
for people to afford
counted as homeless, he said.
census taken in the county
and wages are not
two years ago by Hansen's
keeping pace," Hangroup and 100 volunteers.
s e n
s a i d .
"Homelessness is an economic when they find social service But many advocates say that
condition and people can't afford agencies have no resources left, represents less than a third of
said Hollywood homeless advo- those actually living on the
to pay their rent."
streets.
Several groups like the cate Sean Cononie.
The coalition will lead a
"There's a lack of serCooperative Feeding Program in
Fort Lauderdale contend more vices, obviously, in the commu- new census Jan. 24. They are
people ask them for food, espe- nity so that even when homeless recruiting 500 volunteers to work
people cry out for help, there is a four- or eight-hour shift intercially senior citizens.
Some families are still none," Cononie said. "One of the viewing homeless people from 7
homeless after 2005's Hurricane things they teach you [in rehabili- a.m. to 11 p.m. For more infortation training] is when someone mation, call the coalition at 954Wilma.
Even the homeless them- calls out for help, you have to 792-4000.
There is no quick fix to
help them then, because 15 minselves are sensing a change.
"Yeah, I'm seeing a lot utes down the road, he might the problems reflected by the
mortality figures. Hansen hopes
more people, especially young change his mind."
No one has reliable num- new figures will leverage more
ones. There are a lot more young
ones than there used to be," said bers regarding the homeless in federal grants. Cononie wants the
Arthur Scott, a Fort Lauderdale Broward. Even the medical ex- public to realize more money
native who had been sleeping in aminer's figures may be mislead- must be committed to counseling,
Holiday Park on Monday eve- ing, said Richard Courtney, who treatment, job training and espedoes homeless outreach for the cially medical help in hospitals.
ning.
"There are people out
That influx of homeless Fort Lauderdale Police Departthere dying when they shouldn't
people in their late teens and ment.
Often when a homeless have to die," he said.
twenties is making space scarce
at some homeless shelters, Scott person dies carrying identifica- Bill Hirschman can be reached at
tion with a former address, they 954-356-4513 or at bhirschsaid.
It's even worse for people are not counted as homeless, he man@sun-sentinel.com.
By Bill Hirschman
who want to change their lives said.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
We are in
Posted December 19 2006
desperate need of cars,
and freezers call the
Homeless Voice Shelter
954-920-1277
Are you a health care provider and
want to help the community?
COSAC has started the MRSA Task Force
of South Florida
Come join our task force
and help your community
Meetings are done once
a month and most of the
needs of this task force
are done by email
This way you can make progress and
help your community and not have to
spend every waking minute working on
this project.
Contact Mark Targett at
954-410-6275 or email us at
MRSA@Homelessvoice.org
Cosac
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Safety Supplies
954-923-0441
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The Voice of the Homeless
Page 10
HOMELESSVOICE
What if the Homeless Voice earned a Penny every
time you searched on the Internet?
...Well, Now We Can!!!
We Need Your Help
O
ver the last six years we have developed all kinds of fund raising plans.
We thank all you givers out there.
The last few years have been a little hard on us and it has become a
pretty difficult month for us. First we had me with the Meningitis. Then we
had the few storms that caused floods in our offices.
We still are five months past due on reconciling our check book as
well as a few years late on tax paper work. Thank God the IRS understands
and they know we are trying our best to do our paper work that is needed.
Then we just got our office back from the damage of Wilma and we still
have another $600,000 worth of work repairs to do.
With all the damage we had to come up with major amounts of
money. Then all you know I lost Cathy in August from lung cancer and
Cathy did mostly everything for me.
And as most of you know that with all these hate crimes on the
homeless it takes so much of my time away from the shelter. We all must
start educating our kids that these attacks must stop.
With all these problems we are very concerned that we are going to
continue to have a hard time securing donations and working on getting the
mortgage paid off as well as paying the monthly bills just to stay open.
We Need So Many Campaign Thermometer Campaign
Campaigning is still going on. You can show all your friends the
thermometer in the Homeless Voice and ask them to send in their checks.
The Famous Friends Campaign
You have seen this in the Homeless Voice, this is where you all
send in your check for $15.00 per month and then we print your name in the
paper every month. You can also make copies of this page in the paper and
ask your church leaders and elders to allow you to speak so they too can be
involved.
The Matthew Plan
This is the plan that asks your church to send in a one time nice size
donation. If we had about 500 churches that each sent in a check for $1,000
then we all will burn those mortgage papers and have a great feast and feed
many more according to the book of Matthew.
Penny drive
Last year we had a young boy at the age of 15 who collected pennies from all his friends, family, and neighbors and raised almost $3500. He
collected almost 1600 lbs of pennies.
Search with Us over the Internet
Go to your search engine and enter in goodsearch.com. You search
the internet just like you do with Google and Yahoo and you get the same
results and it is entirely free to you. It is powered by Yahoo Search. For
every search you do, the Good Search Company will donate $.01 to us here
at the Homeless Voice. You can also add their link to your employer’s web
browser so it is in your tool bar which makes it very easy to use. After you
get to your link you will see
enter in the Homeless Voice and it will prompt you to the COSAC Homeless
Assistance Center, verify it and then whenever you go to that page our name
should be there. Here is the fun part… You can see every time you search
how much money was raised for us. After you verified your charity you
then go to
and enter your search words. When you
go to this page it will give you directions to install in your employer or other
search engine so it will always be there. Basically it will become your
homepage. AOL Users may have to clear your footprints or cookies every
so often so it automatically can be used in their tool bars.
Please use this site honestly. Fraudulent searches will result in a charity being de-listed.
Here is the most exciting part, send this link with a little note telling
your friends and families to do the same thing as you did. I ask you please
help make our Holiday Season a very special one and help us until we have
burned those mortgage papers. You can send in your checks to
The COSAC Homeless Assistance Center, Inc
P.O. Box 292-577
Davie, Florida 33329
Or call 954-924-3571 and ask for the Campaign to pay off our
mortgage department. Thank-you for keeping us in your prayers!
May the Lord Bless you!
A
s you know we always
need your help and this
new year will be no different. We are in the process of
still trying to pay the mortgage off and trying to buy
some new property. Why do
we need more and more
property?
Well for starters, I
have never seen so many
people who have worked
their entire life and were part
of the working class and then they are homebound. This will
retired.
The problems with be a place where no matter how
their retirement is that they much income a senior has they
have nothing but a small social will be able to have a place to
security check that in most call home.
A lot of us advocates
cases won’t allow them to rent
anything because their check are trying to make sure that
won’t even cover their monthly every area in the country has
rent let alone their move in cost affordable housing and if we
such as security and first and don’t make any progress we
will see our grandfathers, and
last month’s rent.
And if they are lucky grandmothers living in the alenough to find a place that they leys trying to get their next
can afford maybe because a meal out of a dumpster.
We all have a lot of
little bigger check then comes,
their rents can increase to al- work to do and that starts off by
most triple when the northern- us trying to expand but it can’t
ers make their way down. be us the providers who can
South Florida is known for six save this nation on affordable
month leases so the property housing for the seniors. It has
owners can get the maximum to be us the family as well.
And this starts off by making
out of their rental income.
Our current location sure our parents have what it
allows us to house the ones who takes to survive on their retireneed a little extra help because ment checks.
And if we find out that
some suffer from mental health
issues or physical disabilities they won’t be able to make it on
while others may be addicted to their own it is time we take care
drugs or alcohol. But what hap- of them. Too many times we
pens to the ones who simply forget that mom and dad
become homeless because of changed all those dirty diapers
and that does mean it is time we
poverty and poverty alone?
At first we do the same for them no matter
started to mix them in our regu- how busy we all are with our
lar population but soon found own lives.
I will say the same as
out that they really need to have
their own special place where the vendors say “Care to help
they can relax and enjoy their the homeless?” Please send in
life after working so hard their your checks to help us pay off
entire life. Some may wonder, our mortgage so we can expand
‘what happened to their own so we too can change the diapers of the ones that are forgotpersonal pensions?
Stop right here ten by their own sons and
and ask yourself, does everyone daughters.
we know have their own
private pension funds or
HELP PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE
are they relying on what
We need just
Uncle Sam is supposed 25,784 people to send in a check for $20.00,
Or
to lay out in their future? We are now look- 10,314 people to send in a check for $50.00,
Or
ing to expand and ex5,157 people to send in a check for $100.00,
pand close by for senOr
iors so they can live in a 516 people to send in a check for $1,000, Or
space that does not take Just one wonderful person or business to send
a check for the entire $515,670;
every dollar of their
We will name the shelter after you or
check. A place where
whomever you choose
they can live, have their
Remember
the donation is tax deductible!!
own TV, have three
Please send your checks to:
meals a day and a place
The COSAC Building Fund
where their doctors can
P.O. Box 292-577
come and see them if
Davie, Florida 33329
We do thank you
Advantage Communications, Inc.
is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation
"Excellence in Radio"
Page 11
Volume IX, Issue 1
HOMELESSVOICE
Hospital Accused of Dumping Homeless Patients
(Continued from page 1)
able.
practice," City Attorney Rocky
Delgadillo said in Thursday's Los Angeles Times.
Delgadillo's office is also suing
Kaiser under a state law on
unfair business practices.
The lawsuit asks a judge to
forbid all Kaiser hospitals
from dumping homeless
patients on Skid Row and to
impose financial sanctions
if the order is violated.
Skid Row has one of
the nation's largest concentrations of homeless people,
in part because it has a cluster of shelters and services
to help them. Police have
long suspected that medical centers and
law enforcement agencies from elsewhere used it as a dumping ground for
homeless people.
Delgadillo said the charges and
lawsuit against Kaiser Permanente are a
first step in holding hospitals account-
Diana Bonta, vice president of public affairs for Kaiser Southern California,
said Kaiser has changed some of its
practices since March.
"As soon as we heard
about it, we said, 'this is
not how we do business.'
And we apologized," she
said.
The surveillance camera
that spotted Reyes had
been installed at the Union Rescue Mission the
previous year because of
the allegations that homeless people were being
brought there and left on
the street.
Reyes lived mostly in a public park
in Gardena before she was hospitalized.
When she was discharged, prosecutors
say, she wasn't told she was being taken
to Skid Row.
Hospital staff "summoned a taxicab
and directed the taxi driver to transport
Lawmaker seeks to make beating up the
homeless a hate crime
(Continued from page 1)
ters.
Rep. Priscilla
Taylor, D-Riviera
Beach, said some
young people appear
to be specifically targeting the homeless
because of who they
are - which makes it a
hate crime.
"Until that stops
and people really get
the message that it's
not OK to do this, we
need additional penalties," Taylor said Friday about the bill she
filed late last month.
The Legislature
meets for two months
in March and April,
but legislation is considered in committee
meetings all winter.
The bill could get
a boost if Gov.-elect
Charlie Crist supports
it, which appears
likely.
"I'd be open to
that," Crist said this
week when asked if
he'd support making
attacks against the
homeless a hate
crime.
Under the measure, a person convicted of aggravated
assault or aggravated
battery on a homeless
person must be sentenced to a
minimum of
three years in
prison
and
could get a
fine up to
$10,000.
Advocates for the
homeless back the
idea of tougher penalties - saying that it
may serve as a deterrent because many of
the beatings appear to
be premeditated attacks, where people
go looking for the
homeless because
they are defenseless
and on the fringes of
society.
Enhanced hate
crime penalties "have
certainly been a deterrent when it comes to
the elderly and we
think its been a deterrent when it comes to
race," said Ron Book,
chairman of the Miami-Dade County
Homeless
Trust.
"There probably isn't
a more vulnerable
population than the
people living out on
the street."
Book said there
was a need for statewide legislation
because
l o c a l
laws can't
require
l o n g
enough
jail sentences and partly because it appears to be
a growing problem although no one is
certain about the
number of attacks on
homeless people because many likely go
unreported.
"I'd like to tell
you we were limited
to two cases," Book
said noting the two
high-profile arrests in
Broward County.
"Unfortunately there
have been multiple
cases."
ON THE NET
Florida Legislature:
http://
www.leg.state.fl.us
DAVID ROYSE
Associated Press
Ms. Reyes to Skid A Los Angeles hospital medical facility's
Row, approximately
and ratings
accused of dumping bonding
16 miles away. ...
also could be affected
(She) was literally
homeless patients on by any criminal findrushed out of the
ing.
hospital and into the downtown's Skid Row is City prosecutors said
taxi even though the facing the first criminal they have examined
hospital staff could
more than 40 allegacharges in the city's
not
locate
her
tions of hospital dumpclothes," the docuing on Skid Row. The
ments said. Reyes campaign to crack down investigation produced
was eventually spot- on the practice and clean 15 potential cases, they
ted by shelter staff
said.
up the area.
and escorted inside.
The American Civil
Bonta said KaiLiberties Union of
ser has since stopped using taxis to transSouthern California and Public Counsel
port patients to Skid Row.
also plan to sue on Reyes' behalf.
Hospital officials also are instructed
"This is the first case in the nation
to notify Skid Row service providers in
where there is a joint effort by government and civil rights groups to halt the
advance if they are sending a discharged
practice of hospital dumping," said Mark
patient there, and drivers must escort the
Rosenbaum, the ACLU's legal director.
patient inside, she said.
If convicted of the criminal charges,
Kaiser Permanente could be placed on
probation that would limit its behavior
and contain potential penalties. The
Hospital Window
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each
afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was
next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend
all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their
jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had
been on vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his
roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one
hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed
their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst
flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could
be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close
his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he
could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for
their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body
away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man
asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse
was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was
comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow
to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what
could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and
could not even see the wall.
She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others
happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when
shared, is doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you
have that money can't buy.
"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."