Hi guys, I’ve been given permission by one of the subreddit mods to make this post.
I made a post yesterday showing my bedroom after 2 years of homelessness. Because of that I was targeted by some trolls. Personally I dont mind being targeted by trolls- I’m pretty thick skinned (I’ll link to some screenshots of the type of messages I was receiving below,) but they found my name on a comment I left on an unrelated post months ago. With my name they then found my Facebook account and with that family members which they began to message. I’m okay with being targeted but to target my family is crossing a line. Because of this I then started deleting all previous posts that hinted at my identity until I gave up and just deleted the post on here and ultimately my reddit account.
I would just like to thank you for all the lovely people that offered their support and congratulations, I didnt make the post as a sob story- I did it from a positive angle because I was proud of my achievement and to go from almost rock bottom to having a room that even other people could appreciate. I was trying to show the achievement of building something from a state of disrepair to something a lot of people would be happy to call their bedroom.
For some clarification of the homelessness and the term "given a flat," which seemed to confuse a few Americans. In Britain if you become homeless from the age of 16-25 there is a system in place so that you get offered a room in a homeless youth hostel, which as you can imagine arent the friendliest places with a real “prison atmosphere”. This is to stop you being on the street homeless. This allows you the chance of being on a waiting list for social housing. Social housing is a flat or house offered to you by the state which you pay rent too. It differs from private renting because the rent is actually affordable (£400-500 ish a month for a one bed,) and you have the added security of not being at the mercy of private landlords. After a set period of time you have the right to apply for a mortgage on the place- which I shall aim for once I have repaired my life and begun a career. I wasnt gifted a place to live- as it may have sounded like.
As for how I could afford the £300 to furnish the room. I became homeless due to a mental breakdown- I developed a psychotic illness whilst at university studying law. It caused me to drop out and from there my life fell a part. In the 2 years of living in the hostel I was in receipt of a small amount of state welfare to cover living costs (good etc.)for disability at the recommendation of multiple mental health professionals- my psychologist, psychiatrist and my mental health nurse. With the money I got I put away small amounts so that when I was eventually offered a place I could have money to buy appliances I needed. Other things were gifted by family- my bed and tv/stand, my ps4 was something I really never wanted to give up. Whereas a lot of people in my situation spent the money they could get on drugs and alcohol mine was purely on the future. I dont like how I have to justify this but a few people seemed to think I was lying about my situation. Not every homeless bloke is a raging alcoholic or a disturbed drug addict. Some of us are in this situation due to circumstances that are not in our control.
I felt like I had to make this post because of the support I recieved- I really dont want people to think I was trying to deceive them. Your kind words meant a lot to me and really made me more hopeful for both the future and humanity. There are some lovely people in this sub and once again I would like to thank you
geebean_says
Too many small-minded people will search for ‘blame’ when it comes to homelessness, because they’re scared of the truth – it really can happen to anyone, at any time. You’re right that the pricks who spent time finding you and your family on social media just to try and make you feel shitty are running from their own stuff, but it’s no excuse for their actions.
You should be so proud of getting help, working on your mental health and doing wonders with this room. Don’t let anyone tell you different, or make you feel less than what you are
somebeerinheaven says
Hi guys, I’ve been given permission by one of the subreddit mods to make this post.
I made a post yesterday showing my bedroom after 2 years of homelessness. Because of that I was targeted by some trolls. Personally I dont mind being targeted by trolls- I’m pretty thick skinned (I’ll link to some screenshots of the type of messages I was receiving below,) but they found my name on a comment I left on an unrelated post months ago. With my name they then found my Facebook account and with that family members which they began to message. I’m okay with being targeted but to target my family is crossing a line. Because of this I then started deleting all previous posts that hinted at my identity until I gave up and just deleted the post on here and ultimately my reddit account.
I would just like to thank you for all the lovely people that offered their support and congratulations, I didnt make the post as a sob story- I did it from a positive angle because I was proud of my achievement and to go from almost rock bottom to having a room that even other people could appreciate. I was trying to show the achievement of building something from a state of disrepair to something a lot of people would be happy to call their bedroom.
For some clarification of the homelessness and the term "given a flat," which seemed to confuse a few Americans. In Britain if you become homeless from the age of 16-25 there is a system in place so that you get offered a room in a homeless youth hostel, which as you can imagine arent the friendliest places with a real “prison atmosphere”. This is to stop you being on the street homeless. This allows you the chance of being on a waiting list for social housing. Social housing is a flat or house offered to you by the state which you pay rent too. It differs from private renting because the rent is actually affordable (£400-500 ish a month for a one bed,) and you have the added security of not being at the mercy of private landlords. After a set period of time you have the right to apply for a mortgage on the place- which I shall aim for once I have repaired my life and begun a career. I wasnt gifted a place to live- as it may have sounded like.
As for how I could afford the £300 to furnish the room. I became homeless due to a mental breakdown- I developed a psychotic illness whilst at university studying law. It caused me to drop out and from there my life fell a part. In the 2 years of living in the hostel I was in receipt of a small amount of state welfare to cover living costs (good etc.)for disability at the recommendation of multiple mental health professionals- my psychologist, psychiatrist and my mental health nurse. With the money I got I put away small amounts so that when I was eventually offered a place I could have money to buy appliances I needed. Other things were gifted by family- my bed and tv/stand, my ps4 was something I really never wanted to give up. Whereas a lot of people in my situation spent the money they could get on drugs and alcohol mine was purely on the future. I dont like how I have to justify this but a few people seemed to think I was lying about my situation. Not every homeless bloke is a raging alcoholic or a disturbed drug addict. Some of us are in this situation due to circumstances that are not in our control.
I felt like I had to make this post because of the support I recieved- I really dont want people to think I was trying to deceive them. Your kind words meant a lot to me and really made me more hopeful for both the future and humanity. There are some lovely people in this sub and once again I would like to thank you
geebean_ says
Too many small-minded people will search for ‘blame’ when it comes to homelessness, because they’re scared of the truth – it really can happen to anyone, at any time. You’re right that the pricks who spent time finding you and your family on social media just to try and make you feel shitty are running from their own stuff, but it’s no excuse for their actions.
You should be so proud of getting help, working on your mental health and doing wonders with this room. Don’t let anyone tell you different, or make you feel less than what you are