Life of a Homeless Artist – Part 2: David’s Abyss

This is the second part of a series about David. To read part one, please. 

Life on the streets constantly presents new challenges.  David went from being a happily married homeowner who worked on airplane engines and enjoyed racing motorcycles in Miami, to a life of instability, uncertainty and loneliness.

In a few quick snorts, David had become a serious drug addict, unable to control his urges, spiraling down into an abyss that lasted 22 years.  His wife became addicted too, but was eventually able to clean herself up by entering a drug treatment program.  When she pleaded with David to join her, he said his demons were too strong and he let her walk away.  His addiction completely controlled his life.

Wandering and searching for the next fix, David left Miami and spent years working his way across the state of Florida.  One year ago he entered into the Salvation Army’s Drug Treatment program (a 3-month detox) here in Sarasota and kicked his drug habit.  While he was in the program he had a safe place to live and a place to create his sculptures.  However, as with so many well-intentioned programs, once he completed detox, David was back out on the streets, with no means of psychological or financial support.

His love of art and his passion helped him get get by. 

To his credit, David found himself a quasi-part-time job fixing cars and started earning enough money to buy an occasional meal.  He also made his way to the (a day resource center for the homeless in Sarasota) where he met staffers Bill Wilson and Vicki Hoisington, who both took an active interest in his well-being.  Hoisington, a resource counselor for Resurrection House, was concerned for David’s health and worried about his safety.  Every day she is on the phone looking for viable employment for him. 

In addition to being a recovering addict, David is also diabetic. And diabetes brings its own set of problems into the mix, especially when one is living on the streets.  In November David stepped on a nail and that landed him in for almost a month.  The only good thing about that injury was that David got to sleep in a bed, eat three meals a day and be taken care of by the doctors and nurses.  A month of outpatient rehab followed his release and required daily visits to the hospital.  Worried that David may not keep to the 9am daily outpatient appointment schedule, Wilson stepped in and provided a bike for David to use.  Wilson also set David up in a hotel room for a week .

Now, David is surviving day by day.  Some days he cannot get to the service organizations on time so he misses the free meal. His life is tenuous, he is fragile yet strong as steel. Constantly challenged by unsavory characters who would readily pay him with drugs rather than money, David says he spends a good deal of time praying for a way out.  Looking at his hand you can see a hand sculpted wire ring that reads "Jesus".  On his arm he wears one of his wire bracelets that reads “Say No”.  When you speak with David you notice him continually tracing the letters on the bracelet with his fingers.

Those fingers and those messages on his bracelets help him create his art, help him stay sober. 

Next Week - A New Year Brings New Opportunities. This is the second part of a series about David. To read part one, please.