July 2021
The importance of a personal bond
What touches and enriches me most as a social worker are moments of quiet togetherness. Of course, we must achieve our objectives, respect appointments, etc., but I prefer those moments when “nothing” happens between me and the patient.
July 2021
Against all odds
This is the story of a patient I met during my first inspection round with Street Nurses. Mr. L. lives on the street. He misses a leg that had to be amputated in his country of origin after wrong medical treatment. He has a strong, friendly personality and is well liked by people around him.
June 2021
A bubble of normality
What we experienced together was no more than a moment, just like that, gathered round a table. It was both nothing and everything. A moment that was strangely normal while we were sitting there, each on our own chair.
June 2021
In her own home for good?
Mrs V. is currently staying in a shelter. Before that, her journey went through all imaginable highs and lows: from rest homes to hospitals, from living on the streets to shelters, and vice-versa - until finally, after several years, she was able to move back into her own home.
June 2021
Humor, a valuable tool
For quite some time now we’ve accompanied Ms. J., first when she still lived on the street and now in her own home. Although socially inclined, she also got us used to periods of complete silence. In such moments there is no point in even trying to see her.
May 2021
A new man
Mister M. is someone with a lot of qualities – but far too often ignored or underestimated by the people around him. Just dig a bit deeper and you’ll find a smart and determined Mister M.
May 2021
Difficulties
It’s now a few months ago that I started working at Street Nurses.
Whenever I mention this, I am often asked if my work is not too difficult.
The question puzzles me each time, and my answer is always the same: no, my work is not too difficult.
May 2021
In honor of Mr. J.
What a week! I must say that you made me feel very much alive with a cocktail of emotions: you made me laugh till I cried – but also severely tested my patience.
April 2021
An eventful medical appointment
In this early spring, we have an appointment with Ms. V. We’ll accompany her to the hospital for an important examination. Her knee is getting much worse and she can hardly walk.
Being late is therefore out of the question.
April 2021
A blossoming smile, a rekindled flame
Suzanne has lived on the streets of Brussels for 12 years. Thanks to intensive support from street nurses, and in collaboration with various other organisations, she now lives in a house since four years. She has just joined the "My Way" project.
April 2021
"You will never be able to rehouse him"
Mr T.*, 65, lived isolated in a tent for years. Suffering from psychological problems, he was so disconnected from reality that his hygiene had become appalling. Moving with him was quite an epic journey because his smell was unbearable and his behaviour could be problematic. We were even told: "You will never be able to put him in housing".
April 2021
At least he died in housing
We would have blamed ourselves if he had died on the street, it would have been very difficult for the team.