Fourth and Flanders: “Campers”, “Shoppers”, and “Camper Shoppers”.

I’ve told you about the good, now it’s time to discuss the bad and the ugly.

Stelazine, Flupenthixol, Loxapine, Perphenazine, Chlorpromazine, Haldol, and Prolixin. These are the medications commonly prescribed for Schizophrenia. They need to air drop buckets of this stuff over Fourth and Flanders in Portland, Oregon. This is my neighborhood. I’m not kidding.

I’ve never seen so many mentally unstable people in one place. I have turned around countless times to respond to someone, only to realize they are NOT talking to me, but talking to themselves…loudly…and erratically. They hand out food here like it’s the “end times”, but sadly, I think people need medical resources even more.

The homeless situation in Portland is pretty bad. We seem to be in the thick of it – primarily because there are 3 or 4 soup kitchens close by, offering 2 or more free meals every day. I’m betting when the rain and cold comes, a lot of them travel south, but summers here are mild and free meals are flowing like honey onto the streets, so it’s a good place to be homeless, if you have to or want to go that route. Due to the absolutely crippled economy in this city, I’m sure it’s worse than it’s been in the past. I see the line everyday – at lunch, and then again, at dinner. I swear it’s longer every day.

These are truly hard times, something not lost on me in my own situation. I recognize every day that I voluntarily left a pretty secure job in this climate…and then see the masses of people lined up outside my window…who may have lost a job. I can’t help but think it’s no coincidence that I have this daily reminder. It’s an interesting and strange situation that I’ve thrust myself into and it will no doubt be a true test of my patience, perseverance, flexibility and perhaps more than anything, faith in my own intuition.

I will say, that most people in line are (or at least, appear to be) either mentally ill w/ no access to meds, or have been doing the homeless thing for a long long time. Yes – there are definitely the average Joes and Janes, obviously struggling and trying for something better. They are especially heartbreaking. But there are many that seem to not only accept, but embrace (and probably chose), the life of a wanderer. The city truly enables this lifestyle – an observation that begs bigger questions of how much assistance is too much assistance. I don't have the answers..nor a strong opinion. Not to make light of desperation – but some of these folks are professionals! There are the “Campers” – I’m talkin nice packs, tarps, sleeping pads, and even tents! They “hike” through the city, a lot of them young, punked out, tattooed up, accompanied by dogs and just wandering. Then, there are the “shoppers” – who carry on the tradition of hauling some useful, some maybe not so useful, items around in a shopping cart – bags tied to every corner stuffed with….I dunno. Then, there are the “Camper Shoppers”, who have it all. These folks haul entire lives and communities in their carts and packs. I saw one the other day who had a cart, a pack, and a wagon...full of small to medium large dogs barking almost in song.

Sad? I feel that way sometimes...definitely. But, I don’t know… I truly can’t tell who’s suffering and who’s content in this mix of vagabonds.