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f you are injured because of medical malpractice, good luck trying to recover if you are permanently damaged and can’t get back to work. Not being able to return back to work means homelessness. Getting money back from your doctor after you file a medical malpractice suit is tiresome. In the state of Florida the most you can get back on medical malpractice now is about $200,000.00. The state has now put a cap on what you can recover when the hospital or doctor messes up leaving you scarred for life. So what do you do to prevent things like this from happening? You must pay attention to your health care and read the labels for warnings on the medications you are taking. Not only the ones that are prescribed to you but the ones that are over the counter sometimes cannot be mixed with other over the counter medication or prescribed medication. Tell your doctor and the pharmacist what medication you are on and ask them if there will be any problems, and of course if you have access to the internet go to WEB, MD and seek the truth yourself. Checking with your doctor and getting a second opinion is a must. It also never hurts to check out a doctor first, before choosing one. This month we got a female at the shelter who had become the victim of a bad transfusion. The hospital mixed tainted blood with good blood and they did a transfusion on her. Now she has a terminal illness. Since then she really hasn’t been able to work because (Continued on page 10)
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AED. Oxygen, and airway t was a really sad Holiday Seatools in case she coded son because one of our girls prior to rescue getting who has been featured in our there. paper several times known as Later the Dancing that night we Queen became very sick. She Later that night we called the hospiwas very sick called the hospital tal to check on her and they said one day and her r o o m m a t e to check on her and Carol was in was intecalled the office they said Carol ICU, bated and they up and said “Carol needs was intebated and needed to speak to her next of your help.” We all they needed to kin. She really had no family went to her room to see speak to her next that knew anything about her why she was of kin. so Sean had to sick. By the step in. She had assigned time we got to her room and Sean as her health care surrogate. checked her oxygen she was at 68 This is done a lot by clients who percent and that is near death. So have no family, they prefer us to we called an ambulance and thought make medical decisions for them in she would be home in a few days. As we were waiting for the case they were extremely sick. Sean consented to all forms medics to arrive Sean, who got up from bed, decided to make sure we of aggressive treatment because he and Carol talked about it in the past. were ready for a full code. He orWe all had faith that Carol would dered the in-house-medics to get the
pull through.
Now lets tell you all a little about our Carol Some of you may remember her, “The Dancing Queen,” the “Queen of Tent City” where she was raped and got HIV and Hep C (Continued on page 6)
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ahead and trying not to worry t happens from time to time. about the death but think Disaster after disaster. And about how many we can save. when you see it on TV, some Years ago when 911 struck respond in the most saddened us all my assisway and some just make a comment But for me, that tant Mary Lingo, died just a like, “This is so day I remained who few years ago, bad, how can that strong and was just sat on the happen, this is a of her ofshame”, while othplanning in my couch fice/bedroom and ers do not even say a had tears in her word. head what I eyes. All she kept on Do we not even would do if saying was, “those poor say a word because we don’t care or do something like this people.” I think I fell in love with her mind , we not say a word because we want to ever came our way. soul and spirit when I saw how upset she was. block it out? Years This was a woman with ago I would have said people just don’t care but today more compassion than any person I have known. To see her sit there an I find myself saying and thinking weep for total strangers proved she that people just want to block it out. had so much love in her heart. But I do consider myself a compasfor me, that day I remained strong sionate person but I fall short in and was planning in my head what I other areas of my life. When a diswould do if something like this ever aster strikes I try to be the level came our way. I thought what hapheaded person always thinking
pens if we in Broward got attacked are we at the shelter prepared to assist the community and our own clients. Are we the shelter ready for a local disaster? I did not want to panic the staff so I started, without anybody in the office really wondering what I was doing, checking to see if we were really prepared. I called my mom and dad and told them to remain inside for a few days and watch the TV for better instructions. As some of you may remember (Continued on page 8)
The Voice of the Homeless
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HOMELESS VOICE
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Volume 6, Issue 2
HOMELESS VOICE Someone asked me the other day what my new years resolution was. I didn’t know. So I thought about it a little. I didn’t want to pick the same resolution I pick every year that I never do. So I chose one and kept it to myself; until now. This year I will be a better father, a better husband, a better son, a better person. And no matter what obstacles come my way, I will keep moving forward. I will not look at what is going on now, but try to stay focused on what I am trying to do. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR And I must renew this SEND TO: everyday, or I P.O. BOX 292-577 will forget.
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The Voice of the Homeless
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HOMELESS VOICE
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did it fit in to all the other problems I was having. Just this week I was real bored because I am out sick so I got up late at night and decided to walk around in the rooms and look for signs and symptoms of people who I knew who appeared to be a little bit lazy and over weight. When I walked into the rooms I heard snoring from the person who I suspected of possibly having sleep apnea. He was snoring real loud, very much over weight, and real lazy. As I sat down on the couch in the room I heard the all time famous signs and symptoms that I personally experienced and explained to him what was happening with his sleep. This was a crucial time in my life because I have been apnea free for several years and I gained a lot of weight since I am not working so it all started up again. Many Doctors have no understanding of this disease and they have no idea how to treat it. My physician knew a lot about apnea and he placed me in the hospital for more tests because I have true Obstructive Sleep Apnea and my throat closes. After years of living free from apnea it is now back in my life and I will start to treat it as fast as I can by following the below recommendations. This is very important in the world of homelessness and I wanted to share it with you to prevent you from becoming lazy and losing your job and ending up here with us. Although we would enjoy the company I am sure you would rather be in your own bed in your own house. People please understand that Americans are just two pay checks away from becoming homeless and HOLLYWOOD when you combine ALL other problems known DISCOUNT INSURANCE as barriers, these barriPHARMACY ACCEPTED ers will help you become homeless. By the OTHER SERVICES way trying to correct a INCLUDE : homeless person of • OVER T HE COUNTER MEDICAT ION sleep apnea with no • PRESCRIPTION COUNSELING insurance becomes a • VITAMINS very hard task to com• PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS plete. So now that you • FIRST AIDE SUPPL IES MON – FRI 8:30 AM TO 6:00 PM have learned that sleep SAT 8:30 AM TO 1:00 PM apnea can cause homeCLOSED SUNDAYS FREE LOCAL lessness you have also LOCATED BEHIND HOLLYWOOD DELIVERY learned that if you have MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL no insurance and no 954-989-6300 1150 N. 35TH, SUITE 105 money you will still live with sleep apnea affecting your heath and affecting your ability to lead a productive life. What is obstructive Where Quality, Service & Pricing Count! sleep apnea? Screen Printing & Embroidery People who suffer from Obstructive Custom Imprinted: Sleep Apnea (OSA) slow or stop breathing • Hats • Staff Shirts for short periods while • T-Shirts • Sweatshirts sleeping. This can hap• Jackets • Sport Bags pen many times during For: the night. It results in Schools-Clubs-Businesses-Teams-Organizations poor sleep with excessive sleepiness during (954) 434-7480 the day. Because these 4740 SW 82nd Ave, Davie Fl events occur during Located Directly Behind the Davie/C.C. Library sleep, a person sufferServing the Community Since 1980
hat can cause a person to become homeless? Many things and being lazy is not usually the reason. Even poverty itself is not the reason. However the reason why a person has no money causing poverty which leads to homelessness is a reason why people become homeless. Although laziness is not a major reason why people become homeless, being lazy from a medical problem can cause a person to be lazy enough that they cannot function in the daytime at all. What kind of a condition would make a totally functioning person with good work ethics to become so lazy that they lose their job time after time for many years? For seven years I went to the Emergency room and told the doctor that I choked in the middle of the night and I could not catch my breath. For years and years this one doctor told me that I need to go to a psychiatrist and ask him why I believed this nonsense was happening to me. This doctor made me feel like I was crazy. Time after time I went to the ER sometimes by rescue, and time after time I would see the same doctor because it was always in the middle of the night. Again he would say Mr. Cononie I told you there is nothing wrong with you. Then out of nowhere an intern was in the ER one night and he said, in a real calm voice “oh, you have sleep apnea.” Now a normal person who lost their breath would panic when a doctor nailed the problem but for some reason his voice was so calm I did not get excited. He stayed with me and explained to me what Sleep Apnea was and boy
ing from OSA is often the last one to even in people who are not overknow what is happening. weight or middle-aged. In such peoIn deep sleep, the muscles ple, a blocked nose, a small jaw, of the throat relax. Normally this enlarged tongue, big tonsils, and uvula help to block the upper airway doesn't cause any problems with in deep sleep, making OSA more breathing. In OSA, however, comlikely to occur. Several of these plete relaxation of the throat muscles problems can be present in any percauses blockage of the upper airway son at the same time. at the back of the tongue. Normal The use breathing then slows or stops Although laziness is not a of alcohol, sleeping tablets and completely. Such an episode is major reason why people tranquillizers prior called an apnea. become homeless, being to sleep help to relax the upper During an apnea, lazy from a airway muscles people with OSA make constant medical problem can cause and make OSA worse. Alcohol efforts to breathe against their a person to be lazy enough can also reduce brain's reblocked airway that they cannot function the sponse to an apuntil the blood nea which in turn oxygen level in the daytime at all. leads to longer begins to fall. and more severe The brain then apneas in people who would otherneeds to arouse the person from deep wise only have mild OSA and who relaxed sleep so that the muscle tone returns, the upper airway then opens would otherwise only snore. Most people with OSA and breathing begins again. Unfortusnore loudly and breathing during nately, when a person with OSA sleep may be labored and noisy. falls back into deep sleep, the musSleeping partners may report multicles again relax and the cycle repeats ple apneas lasting up to 90 seconds itself again and again overnight. which often end in deep gasping and In OSA, the apneas can last loud snorting. Sufferers may report for 10 or more seconds and the cycle waking for short periods after strugof apneas and broken sleep is regling for breath. Symptoms are often peated hundreds of times per night in worse when lying on the back in severe cases. Most sufferers are undeepest sleep. aware of their disrupted sleep but What are the symptoms of awaken unrefreshed, feeling tired OSA? and in need of further refreshing Although a person with sleep. OSA may not be aware of the many Who gets OSA? arousals from deep sleep, they suffer While OSA is more comfrom poor quality sleep in spite of mon in overweight middle-aged long periods of time spent in bed. males who snore, it can also affect females, although female hormones Such people wake feeling that they haven't had a full refreshing night's and a difference in throat structures sleep. They report difficulty mainmay protect women until the menotaining concentration during the day, pause. Narrowing of the back of the have a poor memory, and suffer throat and the upper airway can also from excessive daytime sleepiness. contribute to the risk of getting OSA,
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Volume 6, Issue 2
MEDICAL
At first an OSA sufferer may be sleepy only when seated and relaxed, e.g. watching TV, but eventually sleepiness becomes so severe that car accidents and accidents in the workplace occur. Other symptoms of OSA include morning headache, depression, short temper, grumpiness, personality change, and loss of interest in sex with impotence in males. What other problems can develop from OSA? OSA can be lifethreatening. It is a risk factor for high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. All these conditions occur more frequently in people with OSA. OSA associated poor concentration and daytime sleepiness to have been associated with an increased risk of accidents in the workplace and on the road. Motorcar accidents have been shown to be 2 to 5 times more common in people with OSA than in other people. How is OSA assessed? In a person suspected of having OSA, their doctor will need to ask questions about waking and sleeping habits. Reports from the sleeping partner or household member about any apneas are extremely helpful. Referral to a sleep disorders centre for an overnight sleep study is needed for the diagnosis of OSA to be made and its severity measured. During a sleep study, sleep quality and breathing are measured by a computer overnight while the person sleeps. Small coin-sized electrodes are taped to special points on the scalp, face, chest and legs. Chest and stomach wall movements are also measured and a special sensor placed on the upper lip measures airflow. The oxygen level in the blood is assessed by a device placed on the finger or the ear-lobe. None of these procedures are uncomfortable so they don't interfere with sleep. More than one overnight study may be needed. The first is to measure what is going on, and the second is to start off treatment if needed. How is OSA treated? The chosen form of treatment depends on the severity of OSA. General Guidelines In an overweight person, weight loss is an important part of treatment. Even a small loss of weight can lead to improvement in symptoms of OSA. Avoiding alcohol up to 2 hours before going to sleep and not using any sleeping tablets or tranquillizers can also be of help. Nasal obstruction may respond to nasal decongestant sprays. Because OSA can be positional in some cases, it may be helpful to avoid sleeping on the back. Positioning devices such as special pillows, rubber wedges and tennis balls attached to pajama backs encourage sleeping on the side but are of limited value in very severe OSA.
come this problem. Staff in sleep it is very difficult to predict those Specific Treatments Continuous positive airway patients with OSA who will be disorder centers throughout the pressure (CPAP): A CPAP pump is country can assist when problems helped by it as most of the upper the most common treatment for OSA occur. airway obstruction occurs behind the and is very effective in many cases. Please Note: This information is tongue. Thus in many patients with A CPAP pump delivers air at low intended by The Australian Lung OSA who have a UPPP, snoring is pressure to the upper airways via a Foundation to be used as a guide improved, but without a repeat postplastic tube atonly and is not an authoritative stateoperative sleep tached to a close- People who suffer from study, sleep disment. Please consult your family fitting nose mask. doctor or specialist respiratory phyruption, apneas It is worn during Obstructive Sleep Apnea and falls in blood sician if you have further questions sleep and acts by relating to the information provided oxygen can con(OSA) slow or stop tinue undetected. here. keeping the upper airway open durOne last thought, I want What is it like breathing for short ing deep sleep you to understand that sleep apnea using a CPAP with air delivered periods while sleeping. machine? can kill a person. It is rare but death at a positive prescan occur especially if a person uses Many people with sure. This form of narcotics for pain or any type of OSA who begin treatment is ideal for moderate to medication such as sleeping pills or treatment with CPAP report that they severe OSA. It prevents disrupted pills such as Zanix and Ativan. So it haven't slept so well for years. They sleep, improves sleep quality, reis very important when you go to the state that they feel 'normal' again. duces daytime sleepiness, and abol- Many are astounded at the improvedoctor that you tell him you snore or ishes snoring. have sleep apnea and you may want ment in their day-to-day lives. The amount of CPAP presto consider not even using such At first the use of a CPAP sure needed in each person with medications until you are able to mask produces an unusual sensation OSA usually requires a second overtreat the apnea and live a life of when breathing out. It feels as if night study in a sleep disorders cenpeaceful sleep. Don’t Chance it. there is too much pressure stopping tre. This study is needed to deter© 1996, The Australian Lung breathing. This sensation soon wears mine the correct setting for CPAP off. During the first week, nasal Foundation pressure. After the correct pressure stuffiness and sneezing may occur, has been determined, a CPAP maespecially in colder weather. It often chine can be purchased or rented. In improves with warming the bedroom some states there may be a subsidy at night or using a humidifier with for CPAP treatment, and some the CPAP machine. Occasionally an health insurance companies may air leak from the nasal mask can assist with the cost of a machine. irritate the eyes and air leak through the mouth can cause a dry mouth. A Other non-surgical treatments: Other treatments have only chin strap may be needed to overlimited value in the management of OSA. Devices worn in the mouth during sleep (Mandibular advancement splints) which attempt to move the jaw forward are being assessed but their role in adults remains unclear at present. Their use requires close cooperation between a sleep disorder specialist and an orthodontist before use of such a device can be recommended. Surgery: Surgery to the upper airway may ease some of the physical problems that help to block the airway during sleep. These operations are of limited benefit to patients with severe OSA, and include: 1. Removal of tonsils and adenoids - far more common in children than adults. 2. Nasal surgery to improve naEither way you sal airflow - includes removal of MUST read the nasal polyps, reduction of swollen FREE REPORT turbinates and correction of a deviated nasal septum. called How To Get Out 3. Corrective surgery for jaw or Of Debt Fast...And Stay hard palate deformity - these probOut Forever! This lems occur in very few patients with OSA. FREE REPORT reveals Are You Ready to 4. Tracheotomy - is an operation the truth about refinancRefinance? Are that creates a hole in the windpipe to ing and debt consolidaovercome upper airway obstruction. You Sure? Take a It is rarely performed for OSA these tion information your Little More Time days. banker and other lenders and Get Your 5. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty have never told you! (UPPP) - involves removing excess Free Report. tissue at the back of the throat which may contribute to upper airway obCall 1-888-325-6140 Ext: 5201, 24 hours, struction during sleep. A surgical scalpel or a laser may be used. There for a FREE recorded message to get a is no doubt that a UPPP helps snorcopy that could save you THOUSANDS. ing in people without OSA. Unfortunately, UPPP rarely cures OSA, and
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The Voice of the Homeless
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HOMELESS VOICE
(Continued from page 1)
from her assailants. Four years ago the doctors told her she had about six months to live. Well, not our Carol! She became a changed woman and said she wanted to live. From that point in time, she never used crack again. She used to smoke it all the time but when she found out death was near she did a complete internal make-over, that’s right, just like on TV. She went from a Crack head to working the front desk. She even volunteered for security when we were short handed. Carol, as Sean would call her his perfect pain in the butt, was really very good friends with all of the staff; and played mom to the weak and played bully to the rough. Carol was a real Queen in her own way. I use the word was because this is the past and we do hope the future can be like the past. She has hit Sean a few times when she got mad at him, but with all those punches she was still the love of our lives. Carol is also an Angel to some, like her good buddy, John McCormick who gets more press than Sean. If you want to read his
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story, go to the internet and go to the Sun-Sentinel archives and type in Sean’s name. Anyway, Carol would make sure that she looked after John and if someone ever messed with him she, at the age of 58 would go to the biggest man at the shelter and say, leave him alone or you will deal with me, and she had no problem getting in their faces, not one problem at all. She would also help John take his baths and she would especially help John smoke his cigarettes as well. They would carry sometimes five packs of cigarettes smoking and smoking as many as they could. They were smoking buddies. Every night around 3a.m. before Sean and Lois would go to bed, they would hear three little knocks on their office/bedroom door and they knew that the Carol and John Alerting System was activated. This meant, time for a few cigarettes and an ice tea or coffee. They would all sit around Sean’s desk and talk for about an hour. Sean and Lois got big kicks out of the both of them. Sean would finally have to say, Carol, you need to go cause if you keep me up too long we will get up late and won’t be able to pass out the cigarettes in the morning.
Sean Could Not go to See Carol because of his Meningitis For weeks Sean could not go to see Carol because he was still in the recovering process from the Meningitis and Carol being so sick. So Lois went up to whisper into Carols ear, about Jesus and tell her why Sean could not come up. Sean did not want something to happen to Carol without him being at her side. He did not want her to die thinking that he did not care about her. So Lois went up to tell her that as soon as her infection went away Sean would be up. Well
n average of 20 percent of the demand for emergency food assistance is estimated to have gone unmet in the survey cities in the last year. The unmet need ranges from 66 percent in New Orleans, 50 percent in San Francisco, 37 percent in Louisville Metro, 20 percent in Cleveland, 8 percent in Kansas City, 5 percent in Boston, and 4 percent in Providence. or families alone an average of 17 percent of the demand for emergency food assistance is estimated to have gone unmet in the survey cities during the last year. The unmet need ranges from 66 percent in New Orleans, 30 percent in San Francisco, 24 percent in Los Angles, 15 percent in Santa Monica and San Antonio, 10 percent in Phoenix, Denver, and Miami, and 5 percent in Boston. According to: 2004 US CONFERENCE MAYORS HUNGER/HOMELESS REPORT
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days. Tanya explained to Sean that weeks went by and Carol was still in a coma. Finally the Doctor called she had no money and that she was seven months pregnant and it was Sean and said it was not going to get hard for her financially to come up any better and that Sean needed to with the money to fly all the way make some choices about the future here from California. So the next of Carol. thing I saw Sean do was to get his The acronym we hate to American Express hear DNR, had just out of his wallet entered Sean’s tired Carol is also an and say to Tanya sick brain. DNR, for those who do not Angel to some, like her we will take care of all the plans. know means “do not good buddy, John She also asked if resuscitate.” Sean was very reluctant at McCormick who gets her husband could come because she first but after he spoke to the doctor more press than Sean. was about to have a baby in a month and with keeping or two. Sean agreed. By January Carols wishes of not suffering if she 7th, her daughter will be able to sit was connected to life support Sean signed the order. with her mom. At first Sean did not want This holiday season we to sign the form but the doctor told almost lost someone very special and him that they would still continue to it may be touch and go for a while. try to save her, but the only thing And yes, Carol and her daughter they would not do was to do CPR each got a beautiful present, they got and shock if she coded. each other. What did we get to see The doctor told Sean if her from this whole experience with heart once again stopped it would be Carol? The shelter is more like a way too much for her to handle. family than a shelter. Sean underSean waited for 48 hours and made stands that he can’t go up to stay the decision. At this time she was with Carol all the time because of still on the respirator and the next the Meningitis. But he and Lois got day the doctor made the choice to try a very nice Christmas present this to wean her off the respirator and to year. see how Carol would do. The gift Sean and Lois got Sean was surprised that the this Christmas was to see how the doctor did this so early but he did people reacted to Carol’s, our little and Carol started to breathe on her Dancing Queen, critical care status. own. Carol today is still in ICU Well they gave her the royalty she without the respirator on. She is deserves. The clients got together breathing but she still is in a state and wanted to sit with Carol during where she could still die without this crucial touch and go time. They warning. She cannot talk at this time wanted to tell Carol themselves that because of her being incubated for they all wanted to see her back at over a month. Carol is living and she home where she lives at the Queen’s may continue to do better and come Quarters, that is Cosac Quarters back here. Sean and Lois decided it where the Dancing Queen resides. was time to go see Carol, the hospiWe love you Carol and yes, to the tal allowed Sean to wear special people who buy this paper we will gowns that would protect him from expect your prayers for her recovery. getting meningitis once again . We also ask that you pray The whole ICU unit is full for her stable heath until her meeting of germs typically so Sean had to with her little Tanya. suit up. Sean thought that if Carol On behalf of the Homeless was at that part in her life that was Voice, we thank the readers for altouch and go, he did not want her to lowing these two family members to think he wasn’t there for her. Bemeet after being separated for over sides he wanted to talk to her to see 15 years. Thanks a million. how much she was suffering. As he –COSAC Staff entered her room she smiled at him and Sean began to tell her that she either needed to go be with God or fight; from her actions she was in for a real good fight. For the next few days she seemed to be able to communicate by making little motions with her eyes and hands when we asked her questions. So Sean called the hospital and rescinded the DNR order. Out of nowhere her daughter called 6740 TAFT STREET,HOLLYWOOD Sean and Sean explained what was going LOCATED ACROSS FROM WINN-DIXIE ON on with her mom. She TAFT STREET FREE TAG RENEWAL was in real shock and SERVICE FEE WITH WE HAVE MANY kept saying that she WRITTEN POLICY wanted to see her mom. TYPES OF She had not INSURANCE FOR seen her mom in almost ALL YOUR NEEDS 15 years and wanted to be with her in case these were her final
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Volume 6, Issue 2
NEW LIFESTYLES How I Became Homeless – Brian Demascio
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he immediate answer to why I am homeless is this: I was extradited to Broward County from the Arizona State Prison, and I knew nobody in this area and had no forms of ID. My permanent residence is in California, and I had no way to get back there. A deeper explanation, however, is that I am homeless because of the many bad decisions I have made in my life. I have been to prison three times, each crime being committed when I was drunk or high. Over the years, I have alienated myself from all of my family, and none of them really want to help me anymore. I can’t say that I blame them. I have lied to, stolen from, and abused everyone in my family. That is also a big reason why I am homeless. I miss my family and I don’t think I will ever truly forgive myself for what I have done to them. Being in prison, I lost a lot of skills that I needed to be a successful and independent person. Simple things like filling out a job application are weird for me now. I also have no driver’s license, and no way to get one, so that limits me, too. Keep in mind that I am not complaining, nor am I making excuses for any of the things I have done. I am just stating facts. The reasons I am homeless are many. It’s a combination of environmental and behavioral problems. I should also say that now, at the age of 37, I am pretty much willing to do anything to improve my life. And that means humbling myself by coming to a homeless shelter. I know that if I try hard enough, I will be able to work myself into a good citizen, have my own apartment, and be free of drugs and alcohol.
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How I Became Homeless – Roy Baber
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am homeless primarily because I didn’t prepare myself for life as an adult. As my friends and acquaintances settled down, I still held on to the dream that I would make it in music and write songs that would make the world better, or somehow open people’s eyes to the atrocities going on and join up with others who were doing something about it. The band gigs went from concerts to dives, and my partying went from full-tilt to lonely binges. I still acted 17, and my thirty something year old friends one by one decided that they didn’t like my company anymore. I started earning less and spending more. My wife of 18 years decided she couldn’t handle it and ran away. The first time I was homeless was really not that difficult, I thought. I was partying with absolutely no responsibilities, and I maintained a pretty good gig in a decent club. The second time was tough. I was always flat broke and sold anything I could get just to get beer. Since then, I have sobered up and binged through a series of jobs and friends, going from low class affluence to picking from dumpsters and practically unemployable. Sometimes, in a fog, I think of cowboys, and sit under a full moon and pretend that I’m free to roam or do whatever I want. I play a song I wrote and realize that I am a cowboy. Not the Hollywood type, but the kind that roams the road all day and all night. I have a rough past, and sometimes I feel like I have no future. I am just trying to survive day to day.
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How I Became Homeless – Chad Williams
became homeless a month ago after my father committed suicide. Never getting along with my father because of his temper caused me to become homeless on several occasions. It started when I was 16 years old. He could not stand the fact that I was not his real son, so everything my mother did wrong was taken out on me. We’d fight and make up, and I would move back in again. I know, though, that since he has been gone I have not only been on a path of destruction, I ended up in jail, and now I am homeless again. I am fully able to work, and will do manual labor. I just needed a place to stay to get back on my feet. My ex-girlfriend and I aren’t getting along anymore, so I can’t turn to her for help, and the job I was working at won’t take me back without reliable transportation. Ongoing family problems have kept my life pretty unstable. I want to work and be productive. I have a great work ethic, and I have always been surrounded by friends. All my friends are drug users, though, and I don’t want to be around that anymore. I need to be in a positive work environment like COSAC to stay on track in my life, and I refuse to give up and escape into a life of drugs. I really don’t need that.
Most Americans are “Two Paychecks” away from being homeless. Help the shelter stay alive. We are trying to pay the mortgage off! To help, please send a check or money order to: COSAC Foundation Burn That Mortgage Campaign P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Fl 33329
The Voice of the Homeless
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HOMELESS VOICE
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have am no different than you. I no health insurance. I live modestly in a three bed- empathy for anyone less fortunate room townhouse with my than myself and believe that you husband and children. I have a get back what you give. I understand that circumroof over my head and food on my table. I I live paycheck stance can change in an instant and feel donate a few dollars to charity whenever the to paycheck and blessed for every opportunity presents do not have a day. I am no difitself and believe that it is the least I can do savings account. ferent then you. I live now from day to to help. I have empathy for anyone less fortunate than day and wonder where I will find myself and believe that you get food and shelter. I have lost all of back what you give. I understand my possessions and now humbly that circumstances can change in ask for assistance. I have been an instant and feel blessed for forgotten by my family and friends and seem to be invisible. I every day. I am no different then remember what it felt like to have you. I live paycheck to paycheck security but the memory is fading. and do not have a savings ac- I have empathy for anyone less count. I have had my electric, fortunate then myself and believe water and phone disconnected. I that you get back what you give. use food stamps to buy my family I understand that circumstance the basic necessities in order to can change in an instant and feel get through another week. I go to blessed for every day. the emergency room when my - Hope children are sick because I have
(Continued from page 1) ters, I really never felt such an impact until I saw the pictures everyfrom reading my past stories in The where in New York. To see so many Homeless Voice, the 911 incident people waiting to find out if their did not hit me until I was there just a loved ones were few days after the attacks alive or dead is so with our disaster crew. Our crew was made up We called a meeting heart wrenching it of our Homeless people to see if we would can make a big, burley, husky, who wanted to help. send volunteers. some say fat guy These are the same cry. (This is me) I Homeless people who never thought I would see those pichelped the west coast of Florida this tures again , but I did like many other year when we got three hurricanes. people who saw the news of the TsuThese same former clients also are nami. starting EMT school to volunteer This disaster in Asia was not even with our sister agency, Helping Peoat my finger tips for two days. I knew ple In America Disaster Agency. The something happened but truthfully I ground zero did not bother me as was a little selfish because my body much as the people putting up the told me I was getting meningitis pictures of their lost ones… Have again and I was going from one hosyou see this person? Have you seen pital to another because not that my dad? Have you seen my son? many doctors really know a lot about Pictures everywhere! And moms meningitis. As you may remember I falling asleep on the ground holding was in critical care for days in a a picture of their lost child hoping for coma from Meningitis last Christmas. signs of survivors! I was paying attention to myself. This was the worst time I have Then a day or two later I saw the ever had when dealing with disasters. death toll it was in the 20,000’s. I sat Years of working as a volunteer for in front of the TV and just stood the American Red Cross Disaster there and I did not want to face it Action Team going to many disasbecause I knew we would not be able to help this time and I did not want to see the disaster at all. It is just me. I knew we could not send anybody over there because of me being out sick. I figured if we went and my meningitis was exposed to so many infections and got sick there, I would simply die within 24 hours because there was no advanced medical services there that are required when dealing with such an illness. The next day numbers kept on going up and I was even sicker. I tried to avoid the TV as much as possible because I felt guilty we were not going to help, but soon got lured
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out being with full make-up. Now was a lot like you; I saw that if the day calls for it and I have homeless man or woman and the time I do it. Otherwise I have thought I have nothing in learned the world does not revolve common with them. I always read around my “face”. I have discovthe lines “ most Americans are ered among other things Public two paychecks away from being television. I have homeless” and thought “yeah The past year has learned that I love see not only the right”. Little did I taught me that I tochildren’s shows know that those with my children words are very have taken too but, the comedies true. The past many things for and specials they year has taught I’ve learned me that I have granted in my life. have. life doesn’t end taken too many when you don’t things for granted have a telephone. That somehow in my life. Things that I always you make more of an effort to thought I was entitled to like a keep in touch with loved ones roof over my head, a telephone, when you have to pay those thirtycomputer, having even a Christfive cents. I’ve learned all kinds mas tree are not really a given. of people ride the bus. Both young Being without I have learned and old with all kinds of stories; shows you to live within. Within I’ve discovered that everyone our limits, within a certain box really has a story to tell. Given the where society says it is ok to be but, not ok to be in want. I have chance most people have a need to share their life story and manage come too close to being homeless to do it in one bus ride. for comfort. Living above my I’ve learned that homemeans I now ride buses everyless man or woman is not so difwhere including the supermarket. ferent from me after all. We all Struggling to make ends meet have a lot in common. I’ve still. Being unemployed and carlearned to open my heart and cry less. Reaching out for public asnot for what I don’t have but, for sistance. Finding some doors closwhat I have found. And that has ing where those doors were almade all the difference. ways opened to me in the past. In -Elvira all that I have lost I have found something much more valuable...my authentic self. As shallow as it may sound I never left my house with-
back to it. They were calling for agencies that had experience and resources dealing with disasters of this magnitude. We then called a meeting to see if we would send volunteers. Considering most of our staff are disaster prepared, and have worked many disasters and all are First Responders , I thought we could do something but soon was reminded by the smart ones in the office, ‘The Gals,’ “Sean you’re out sick and not working, now let it alone.” So we thought of other ways of helping. Sending money was an option. So we did , we donated money to Map International to buy medicine. We knew they were a good agency because they supplied the meds when our international agency The People’s United Nations provided medical services to the children
of Haiti. Praying was already done and was happening by some of us for a few seconds throughout the day. As the days grew and numbers increased I started to put myself back into the planner of stopping the damage, stopping the death and I got lost in a world of my own thinking of what I could do if we were there or if I was in charge. Some call it day dreaming, some call it the “hoping to do more” syndrome, and even some of my friends call it “you are nuts, Sean” syndrome. Well in this disaster the “what can you do” is probably the most accurate, for we all wanted to do something but how many of us really could. Sometimes we all must block it out because we know we should be doing something but don’t know how (Continued on page 9)
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Volume 6, Issue 2
HOMELESS VOICE
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or do not know where to begin.. After all, where do you exactly start? They have lost everything; it will take years and I mean years for the after effects to be gone. There will be counseling, dysfunctional families, orphans, drug addictions and many more social problems. Reports already are suggesting with so many orphans children may be sold into “ sex slavery.” The elderly won’t have their kids to take care of them and the kids won’t have their parents and those parents will never see how well their grandchildren grew up. These statements alone are enough to make you cry. Their economy will be bad and they will be stricken with all kinds of diseases and new medical problems that have not existed for years. I don’t want to sound negative but look at the damage, what can we really do? They lost EVERYTHING AND MORE THAN THAT. As I write this letter the death toll is at 120,000 and they say that 1/3 of that figure is small children . Yes, that is the most horrific thing in the world. After all, no parent ever recovers from the loss of one of their little ones. No matter how old their child was when they died they will never fully recover. They may look like they are functioning but I am sure as the years go by they still ask God why,
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why did you take my child? I guess Mother Mary could ask the same thing about her Son, Jesus. I always ask how God lets this happen. I end up closing with God knows no matter how much suffering we do at the time of our death, if we are a believer in Him, it is all perfect from death on. Jesus knew how much He would suffer but He knew it would end and He would be perfect once again. We were in the office today, I was having my temperature taken, and CNN also talked about how many children have died and we all just sat there in a state of shock. Let me give you some facts. But before the facts let us remind ourselves how great the world is reacting by giving so much aid. People from all over are lending a helping hand while others may be so upset knowing they cannot do anything and are becoming depressed over the entire incident. Even our Homeless who have nothing wanted to help in some way, and that is why I sometimes refer to them as “ Heroes.” They are the ones who raised the money we are sending, Some people who have a lot of money are sending money to charities and some people who have a little money are trying to get it to the charity they think will do the best. Either way the giving is what counts… We all want to do something to help. Why is that? Is it because it is unexpected and it happens so fast or it is just the death itself ? I tend to think it is the unexpected disaster that hits our hearts. We see the damage and we see the death. But let me tell you this… it has been five days now since this disaster and they have lost about 120,000 people. But we are forgetting about the 30,000 kids who die daily of starvation and the lack of simple medicine they need, medicine that
he beginning of each year, in the month of January, we all make many resolutions. The dictionary defines the word, firm intention, great determination, and formal statement of a committee’s opinion. Whatever it means to us, we try to be sincere in our resolve, but can we really commit to something positive that we had promised ourselves. I for one never make a resolution for myself, or express my intentions of making one to a friend or a family member. Perhaps I do this because I am afraid to fail, afraid of conveying my shortcomings to others, therefore I put no barriers or deadlines on my goals. We all seem to define success with how much money we possess, what our home looks like, what kind of clothes we wear, or what kind of job or education we have been able to attain. In olden times you were judged by how much cattle or sheep you owned, and if you really think about it, it’s not that much different now, what kind of car you drive or what part of town you live in, automatically puts you at the head of the class or
we take for granted. Since this disaster happened and this being the fifth day at the time I wrote this letter, 150,000 children have died in Third World countries and what has the world done? What I have done? What have the presidents and leaders of great nations done? It just seems so simple that we have the ability to stop the death of 30,000 children who die nightly when we go to bed. Which disaster is worse... this one or the starving one? It seems to me the starving one would be a lot worse but why do we really do nothing to change it? Why do we let it happen? Are we just so used to it and we just think it will happen and there is nothing we can do? Hear me out. And hear me loud! And Sean, you listen too, because I know personally I must do more. I have always written about, “There is no excuse.” I have lobbied the Pope
at the back. Unfortunately these social standards are still with us, and probably they will always be. I am not putting people down who do make resolutions; some of us are perfectly capable of following through with them. The holidays are a very vulnerable time for some of us; we look back at the passing year, and the ups and the downs we endured, and then we look forward to the coming year and wonder what will be in store for us, and can we handle it? I for one will stop keeping my resolutions to myself, simply because I’m afraid to fail, I will share them with my family and friends, hoping that they would help and support me if I start to falter, without thinking they will judge me. If you think positive, things or people will be positive; if I happen to fall, and there is a helping hand to help me up, great, and if there is not, I will help myself up, and dust myself off and start over again. That will be my resolution, never to give up, because as long as I keep on trying I have not failed on keeping my resolution alive. We should not be judged by our monetary gains. We should be judged by our goodwill and our strength to keep going. No matter how many obstacles are in our path, we should be able to look past designer clothes, gold rings and fancy cars,
and I have lobbied many governmental leaders and I still get no response. Every preacher in the world talks about helping those who are poor but what do we all really do? I am not talking about our homeless, I am talking about the children and the adults who die daily because of starvation. I am asking what does anybody, including myself, really do to help the starving children? It’s not just a lack of food, it is ongoing malnutrition that can be solved so easily. We should stop what we are doing right now and make a plan and do it like Nike says, “Just Do It.” Tonight go to Target or Wal-Mart and buy a bag of balloons QTY 100, blow them each up and lay them in your living room. When you get to 100, picture that being 100 babies who just died. By the way, by the time it takes you to blow up Continued top page 11
We all seem to define success with how much money we possess, what our home looks like, what kind of clothes we wear, or what kind of job or education we have been able to attain. that does not a good person make. What makes us good is what’s inside, of course that does not mean I would turn down a gold ring or a fancy car, but I truly hope it would not change me to a person I don’t want to be. I would still want to be a person that would give a helping hand to another person, that is trying to keep their resolution of not ever giving up. By Mary Lou Gonzalez
The Voice of the Homeless
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she has not developed any physical problems as of yet but she became so depressed knowing that she would die in a few years she could not work. She has gone from job to job but then after a few days her employers could not deal with her depression and she got fired. With the depression came not taking showers which is a common sign of depression. No showers means no good jobs. She did file a civil law suit and they only offered her about $50,000.00. The doctors’ office claimed that he had no money. How is this possible for this doctor to have hardly any money? She left here because she felt that when she cried the other clients were making fun of her, they weren't but because she was so unhappy with her situation it made her totally dysfunctional. In times like today when doctors are being sued they start to hide their assets. Medical malpractice is so high in cost that the doctors have started to self-insure themselves and then claim that they have no money. So if you are expecting a procedure to be done in a hospital or you have a medical problem that is chronic, make sure that your doctor does not make a mistake. Years ago when I had multiple surgeries on my ankle I use to shave my leg and also mark my leg with a black marker saying, "This is the leg" and then on the other leg I wrote "Doctor this is the wrong leg." Yes, there are times that a doctor has made a mistake on amputations and cut the wrong leg off the person. Don’t become a victim of homelessness and prepare yourself for the worst emergency. News Live Better, Save More Tips to Help Your Enterprise and Family Succeed 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors Medical errors are one of the nation's leading causes of death and injury. A report by the Institute of Medicine estimates that as many as 44,000 to 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals each year as the result of medical errors. This means that more people die from medical errors than from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS. What are Medical Errors? Medical errors happen when something that was planned as a part of medical care doesn't work out, or when the wrong plan was used in the first place. Medical er-
rors can occur anywhere in the health care system including hospitals, clinics, outpatient surgery centers, doctors’ offices, pharmacies, nursing homes and even patients’ homes. They can happen during even the most routine tasks, such as when a hospital patient on a salt-free diet is given a high-salt meal. Most errors result from problems created by today's complex health care system. But errors also happen when doctors and their patients have problems communicating. For example, a recent study supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) found that doctors often do not do enough to help their patients make informed decisions. Uninvolved and uninformed patients are less likely to accept the doctor's choice of treatment and less likely to do what they need to do to make the treatment work. Be Involved in Your Health Care The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your health care team. That means taking part in every decision about your health care. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results. Some specific tips, based on the latest scientific evidence about what works best, follow. Medicines Make sure that all of your doctors know about everything you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs. At least once a year, bring all of your medicines and supplements with you to your doctor. "Brown bagging" your medicines can help you and your doctor talk about them and find out if there are any problems. It can also help your doctor keep your records up to date, which can help you get better quality care. Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines. This can help you avoid getting a medicine that can harm you. When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it. If you can't read your doctor's handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to either. Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand—both when your medicines are prescribed and when you
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Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines. This can help you avoid getting a medicine that can harm you. receive them. What is the medicine for? How am I supposed to take it, and for how long? What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur? Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking? What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine? When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask: Is this the medicine that my doctor prescribed? A study by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences found that 88 percent of medicine errors involved the wrong drug or the wrong dose. If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask. Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if "four doses daily" means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just during regular waking hours. Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine. Also, ask questions if you're not sure how to use it. Research shows that many people do not understand the right way to measure liquid medicines. For example, many use household teaspoons, which often do not hold a true teaspoon of liquid. Special devices, like marked syringes, help people to measure the right dose. Being told how to use the devices helps even more. Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause. If you know what might happen, you will be better prepared if it does—or, if something unexpected happens instead. That way, you can report the problem right away and get help before it gets worse. A study found that written information about medicines can help patients recognize problem side effects and then give that information to their doctor or pharmacist. Hospital Stays If you have a choice, choose a hospital at which many patients have the procedure or surgery you need. Research shows that patients tend to have better results when they are treated in hospitals that have a great deal of experience with their condition. If you are in a hospital, consider asking all health care workers who have direct contact with you whether they have washed their hands. Hand washing is an important way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. Yet, it is not done regularly or thoroughly enough. A recent study found that when patients checked whether health care workers washed their hands, the workers washed their
hands more often and used more soap. When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will use at home. This includes learning about your medicines and finding out when you can get back to your regular activities. Research shows that at discharge time, doctors think their patients understand more than they really do about what they should or should not do when they return home. Surgery If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree and are clear on exactly what will be done. Doing surgery at the wrong site (for example, operating on the left knee instead of the right) is rare. But even once is too often. The good news is that wrong-site surgery is 100 percent preventable. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons urges its members to sign their initials directly on the site to be operated on before the surgery. Other Steps You Can Take Speak up if you have questions or concerns. You have a right to question anyone who is involved with your care. Make sure that someone, such as your personal doctor, is in charge of your care. This is especially important if you have many health problems or are in a hospital. Make sure that all health professionals involved in your care have important health information about you. Do not assume that everyone knows everything they need to. Ask a family member or friend to be there with you and to be your advocate (someone who can help get things done and speak up for you if you can't.) Even if you think you don't need help now, you might need it later. Know that "more" is not always better. It is a good idea to find out why a test or treatment is needed and how it can help you. You could be better off without it. If you have a test, don't assume that no news is good news. Ask about the results. Learn about your condition and treatments by asking your doctor and nurse and by using other reliable sources. For example, treatment recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence are available from the National Guidelines Clearinghouse at http://www.guideline.gov. Ask your doctor if your treatment is based on the latest evidence. Source: 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors. Patient Fact Sheet. AHRQ Publication No. 00-PO38, February 2000. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/20ti ps.htm
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Volume 6, Issue 2
VOICE UPDATE Continued from page 9
one balloon and tie it up, 9 babies have just died because of lack of food and medicine. This happens every day. You know to me it makes no sense whatsoever to allow this to happen. We worry about so many hard things to fix when the impact is not that great, but simple things like feeding the starving people of the world which is so easy compared to figuring out ways to stop another problem that has less impact like bringing democracy to a foreign country. Why can’t we all figure out how to stop this from happening? I repeat these words, “There is no excuse.” What I mean is: no longer can world leaders and people like me allow this to happen anymore. No longer can the United Nations allow this to happen. I know that some people say we should only help our own. However, if we only help our own , our hearts will become hardened. When we harden our hearts it allows us to use the same hardened heart attitude when dealing with our own. Soon we will create a forth and fifth class of people in America and we will ignore our own as we ignore the poor of the world now. Please pray for this problem to be solved.
Please come up with ways to help them. We are all God’s people and yes, we should pour our hearts out to these people of Asia; we should give them the shirt off our back, but then we should give the kids who have been starving for decades our next meal. Yes, Yes, Yes we should help those poor disaster victims of Asia and don't stop helping but let’s not forget that many more die daily because they can’t get to eat...what we throw in the trash...to save their lives. We can’t change the past, but we sure can do something to help the future of these starving children. I am not asking you for a donation, what I am asking you to do is: that you form groups in your own communities and lobby our leaders that all world hunger is to stop now. Dear Lord, give me the winning Lotto numbers, so I can help fix the problem. God bless the People of Asia and God bless the poor of any nation. Sean Anthony Cononie The Homeless Voice
We are looking for churches and/or other organizations to get involved by feeding our sheep two times a month. Call 954-924-3571 LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER REPORTERS
W
e need your help with our building fund. We are getting closer and closer to reaching our goal. How can you help? 3 easy ways to help. 1.) Get your church or school involved in a penny drive 2.) Check out page 2 and help with the friends of the homeless column. 3.) Donate directly to the building fund . If you don’t have one make this your New Years resolution.
HELP PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE We need just 36,786 people to send in a check for $20.00, Or 14,715 people to send in a check for $50.00, Or 7,358 people to send in a check for $100.00, Or 736 people to send in a check for $1,000, Or Just one wonderful person or business to send a check for the entire $735,750.00 Remember the donation is tax deductible!! Please send your checks to:
The COSAC Building Fund P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Florida 33329 We do thank you
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It is the objective of Helping Hands Medical Equipment, LLC to provide our consumer with quality equipment designed to enhance the quality of life of our customers. Helping Hands Medical Equipment, LLC will comply with all state and federal laws and regulations while providing this service. The needs of our consumer come first. Helping Hands will do everything possible to ensure the needs of the patient are accommodated.
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From Helping Hands Medical Equipment, LLC 4479 North State Rd 7 Lauderdale Lakes, Florida 33319 954-335-1564 (Local) 1-877-667-7088 (Toll Free) 954-335-1569 (Fax#)
Most Americans are “Two Paychecks� away from being homeless. Help the shelter stay alive. We are trying to pay the mortgage off! To help, please send a check or money order to: COSAC Foundation Burn That Mortgage Campaign P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Fl 33329