George is a regular man, he used to be an auto-mechanic, but he quit 2
years ago. He was very good at what he did, but at some point he had to
stop working. Now he’s 31, living off his parents money, collecting
disability pension and lurks on the edge of society, collecting bottles
to make some extra cash. Me and my friends were enjoying sitting by the
riverside, near the center of the town. The sun was shining, we had
some cold beer and were enjoying ourselves talking about the things
that matter to us the most. Or not. Weather and politics were
definitely a small part of our conversation. After I had finished my
second light beer, a guy, a bum, was passing us. Or at least it seemed
so, he gave us a quick glance and moved on.
I don’t mean
anything negative when I say bum – it’s just an ordinary man or woman
whose life has taken a wrong turn. What’s interesting about it is the
fact that in some way, they all seem to look similar. The guy who
passed us, was wearing rather nice clothes, he was clean and he seemed
polite. But his white cap, red face, two handbags filled with bottles
and a dark beer in his pocket probably gave him away. Also the way he
walked. Not straight, but keeping his head lower than people usually
do. Feeling shame maybe, or maybe something else.
Before he
had passed us, he noticed that there were some bottles laying around
our bench and decided to check us out, and also remove those
unneccessary empty bottles from the area. And then he started talking
to us.
I’ve never really wanted to talk to bums. The main
reason is that when they start talking, they never finish. They’re
usually drunk. And they often do smell. Not this guy though. With this
guy we decided to have a chat. Actually he was the one who started the
conversation. Just to ask who we are and how’s life. He just felt the
need to talk. I’m not sure about my companions, but by the end of the
day it was a rather enlighting conversation.
I got curious as
to what had happened to him, why was he collecting bottles? He really
looked ok, he had clean and nice clothes, this was something rather
surprising for me. And it made me ask him about his life.
It
turned out that he was not a bum by choice. Actually he wasn’t a real
bum at all. He had his own apartment, a daughter, both his mother and
father are still living. And he was a professional mechanic. And he
hadn’t lost his job because of drinking like many others have. No, that
wasn’t the case. He had epilepsy.
About two years ago he had
epileptic fit on the job and he fell that hard he spent weeks in
hospital because of a head injury. After that it was difficult for him
to get a job anywhere. These attacks might get him whenever. His doctor
doesn’t want him to work, neither does his mom. He needs to stay away
from any kind of nervous strain and that’s it. That’s his story. And as
for collecting bottles – he sometimes really does enjoy it – work in
the sun, talking to strangers. Partly, he really does enjoy it. He
enjoys doing Something.
But then again, I feel it’s not the
case that he couldn’t work at all. Actually this attack that he had two
years ago, was his last one. Since then he’s been good, no attacks…and
no work. I believe he could easily find a job, independent of the
illness. After all – his last attack was TWO years ago. However, even
though I would encourage him to find himself again, I do understand why
he’s afraid of doing it. I would be afraid too.
Even though
there are people who have managed to get on the wrong road totally
because of their own fault - drinking, laziness and whatever else, this
might not always be the case. When you see a bum – think of him as a
person, who’s not necessarily where he is because of his own mistakes.
Not because of his own will. And, I’d encourage you to talk to some of
them, it can be very enlightening.
The same evening I also
saw one young drunk guy who was asking for money and cigarettes – 4
times during the evening. This is not interesting, this is just
annoying.
Tags:
world war Family Love Politics living attack money 
