August 2023
A little hiccup
In this testimony, Lucia, a social worker, shares her first experience of rehousing by Street Nurses, when she was still a trainee. It ended in failure but it is a good illustration of the possible comings and goings before a sustainable reintegration of the homeless person.
August 2023
A new start for Mr. A.
That morning, Mr. A. opens the gate of the site where his modular home is located. We called him to announce our unexpected arrival and he quickly got ready to receive us with a broad smile. For me it’s a reunion after he moved into his module a few months ago. His salt and pepper hair is carefully brushed, his face tanned and friendly. He warmly invites us to come in and drink a cool coke.
July 2023
I smell, therefore I am.
Madame S. has been living in a train station in the Liège region for more than two years. She lives in the middle of a corridor, in the middle of the noise. She lives where people pass, sometimes standing still but always moving on. She lives there, withdrawn in a corner. You cannot see her, but you notice her smell. The kind of smell that repels, makes you gag, drives you away. Whatever, she exists.
June 2023
"From chaos, stars are born"
It was with this reply by Charlie Chaplin that one of my meetings with Mr G ended. We came to see him to accompany him to the hospital, at his appointment with a specialist.
May 2023
A force of nature
Our patient, Mrs J., moved into her flat a few months ago. She fought like a lioness to get off the streets after living there for 8 years.
May 2023
The endearing Mr W.
We met him on the street and have been accompanying Mr. W for several years now. As far as we know his history, his life journey has always been complicated. Despite the ups and downs, Mr is determined and certainly one of the most endearing person we work with!
May 2023
"Growing older is mandatory, but growing up is a choice" (Youssoupha)
He was born in Brussels at the beginning of the sixties. After a burn-out and a period of severe isolation, he lived on the street for several years. Despite having a home to live in, his health is visibly deteriorating.
May 2023
Finally able to recompose himself in his modular home
Mr. B. moved into his new home on a Tuesday after having lived on the street for 6 years. It’s quite visible that he’s now well established there. He receives us with a cup of coffee. Medical appointments have been made to get his health back on track. And he let us know what this home had given him: peace of mind and, physically, the possibility to get a rest.
April 2023
Getting back on track at one’s own rhythm
That morning reminded me of the importance to respect everybody’s personal rhythm in the healing process. It’s essential to give Mr. F. the necessary time, without undue haste, to overcome his difficulties.
April 2023
Always hoping for a miracle…
Street Nurses does fantastic work but sometimes we run into a complicated system that offers us no solutions.
March 2023
Mr. H won’t be discouraged by the failing system
Seeing what Mr. H has to go through, we realise that much needs to be improved to allow these people, who we meet every day, quickly to leave street life behind.
February 2023
On the street: the experience of an accompanying volunteer nurse
As a voluntary nurse, I sometimes have, through the work of Street Nurses, interesting meetings with people who live there.