I was on a trip to Arlington Heights with @dhphotogeorge yesterday. We talked about many things. Just being in the area of Arlington Heights where I was once homeless floods my mind with memories. Some are good, some are bad. I could feel so much emotion walking around the downtown Arlington Heights business district. I had so many experiences while homeless. Much of my life centered around that area. Despite the stigma of homelessness, post traumatic stress disorder, and an abundance of negative experiences, I value what I learned and I am grateful to the people of downtown Arlington Heights. Thank you, AH, for showing me that you really are the “City Of Good Neighbors“.
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Fascinating. I saw your story at invisiblepeople.tv and was curious when I noticed your handle as ‘PadsChicago’. This past Spring I was homeless living in my car back in Palatine (I grew up there) and I was working with PadsToHope in Arlington Heights on NW Highway. Returning to Palatine was a disaster for me – fair-weather friends and all that and I’ve since returned to Las Vegas where I’d been living for the past 4 years – it was the only way I could have any hope of getting off the street. It’s so tough to be out in the street… I was sleeping in my car at Northwest Community hospital parking lot, always on the lookout for trouble and cops, being harassed everywhere, hardly a minute’s peace.
I was so happy to see you get some housing and you seem happier since. Just want you to know how much I admire your courage and determination
Godspeed,
The C0zmik N0mad
Cosmo?!
Not my real name, just a handle/email I use on the internet.