Bum, but not by choice

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.

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