TELL MY STORY DAVE

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 20:47:35 -1000

"TELL MY STORY DAVE, IT MAY BE TOO LATE FOR ME. THE WAY I SEE IT, PICK-UP WHAT YOU GOT AND KEEP ON GOING".
      1st Lt. Mark
      U.S. ARMY 69-71

     Now I must find the words to tell the story of a hero who's body is ravaged with pain, a hero that the system has forgotten like so mush shit waiting to be flushed down toilet.

     When I looked into this mans eyes he touched my soul. I saw incredible beauty, a man who has made piece with his God. There is no bitterness in him. None.
    I am filled now with both shame and rage. God forgive me.

     Sgt. Dave
      USMC 68-72

Got a Story to Tell

Sat, 4 Apr 2009 20:36:44 -1000

Got a story to tell. Don't quite know how I'm going to tell it yet, but, the story needs to be told. See the pictures and my story will begin. Mark is a disabled Vet Nam Vet. A russian antipersonnel mine nailed him in 1969. He's now homeless dieinig of liver cancer, the morphine helps a little. All he wants is to die with dignity. He wants me to tell his story. I pray I can see the keyboard through the tears. Aloha ... Dave

Today in the Streets

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 20:24:23 -1000

Street News 2-23-09  Aloha,  Lots to talk about. Monday was the River of Life, today, The Institute for Human Services. It's never the same on the streets. The faces are always changing. The stories don't. You are here for a free meal you are here because you can't afford a roof over your head. You are here because you need something. Maybe that's why I'm there. Maybe that's why we all are.  Yesterday talked with a middle aged man born in Hong Kong. He didn't know what hepatitis was. I needed to explain the meaning of his positive test result for hepatitis B Surface Ag. He’s infected with the Hepatitis B virus as are a lot of people born in developing countries. To the credit of Dr. Tice and his staff we were able to get him an appointment for 3:45 today. No sooner had that conversation ended when another began. An older woman told me. "My doctor says I have hepatitis C and she's running some more tests". It was clear after a few more moments she new little else. We talked for a bit. I told her about The Hepatitis Support Network of Hawaii. I told her about us. I told her about me and what it’s like to go through treatment. I gave her a Safety-Kit, and other resources she might use. I told her we care. I told her she does not need to be alone. When we were done she gave me a couple big hugs, right on the street, and a big beautiful smile, with teeth that needed a lot of dental work. Maybe that's why I'm there.  Today's work at IHS was a combined exercise in excellence! Nurse Lee, Nurse Debbie, Margarita, Kontit, the HPU students, the IHS staff, and HSNH logged a lot of hours, educating, screening, vaccinating the homeless/houseless men who call IHS home. Six received vaccines for Hepatitis A and B (twinrix). Six screening for exposure to the Hepatitis C virus (C Ab). Seven screening for immunity to the Hepatitis B virus (Surface AB). Six for live Hepatitis B virus (Surface Ag). Got 3 new guys I'm trying to find who tested positive for the hepatitis antibody and a bunch of guys and girls I’m still working with. Judging from the screening interviews the 20% positive will not decline soon.  These are the streets. Welcome to my world. We have done so much only to learn so much more is to be done. Volunteers are needed. Call Ken 621-6204

Dave’s Blog

TELL MY STORY DAVE

Got a Story to Tell

Today in the Streets