Help for Mary Foster
Donation protected
Mom with schizophrenia.
I am reaching out for the first time in my life. Something is different this time.
My mom is 69 years old. She has suffered from schizophrenia as long as I can remember, and she has been homeless for many years.
My my name is Tina Joselyn. I have three brothers. We are starting the conversations about how to best care for mom. I think her age, the fact that her parents are no longer alive, and the increased cost of living has meant some significant changes must be made.
Forty plus years ago she could hide some of her illness with alcohol abuse. She used to live with boyfriends and such, never healthy.....just a way to exist. I think her parents bought her a camper truck and she could travel the Pacific Northwest in style! She stayed in campgrounds and sometimes a family members' yard. Short stays....with her disease she is always moving on. She used to be able to afford a few nights in a cheap hotel once in a while with the help of a small social security check or a Good Samaritan. She is a fan of natural supplements....somewhere along the way I think she has met a naturopath who prescribed a few things for her mental illness, stress and agitation. Again, Mary used to be able to buy her vitamins or a Good Samaritan would buy them for her along with that cup of Jo.
Crazy Mary, as many in Barstow California would refer to her, has been homeless and toothless traveling between Arizona and Washington for the past 20+ years. With the cost of everything going up, her only choice has been to stay at homeless shelters, or more often sleep on the streets, a park bench or church steps.
She is currently in a mental health facility, placed there mandatorily. I don't have enough facts or a clear enough picture to confirm that it is the first time. I believe she has to take medication for her illness while there(praying for a miracle is good)!
I care for for this person that I call mom. I would hope the next 10+ years could have a little more comfort and security for her!
I am almost certain that she will not remain on the medications prescribed for her. I know that good sleep, healthy meals, being in a supportive environment, and her wonderful faith in God will get her through a lot.
I think Mary's perfect world would include limited stays with each of her kids. I think she would get involved with free classes offered at a local library and a bible study at church. I know she would remain active in AA and NA.
I believe Mary might still show up to a homeless shelter once in a while or find a free meal. It's the life she has known for so long. I hope she could stay the night in a hotel again for a break( and time to sort all the papers she has collected along the way). I hope that she could buy her supplements and maybe not run out of them quite so often. And yes, I hope she could afford her vices.... her own rolled cigarettes and a coke now and again!
Please get involved. Share a little love and hope with a donation of money, information and your prayers!
Our plan would include giving mom a stipend for each month with the money raised.
Thank you,
Tina
I am reaching out for the first time in my life. Something is different this time.
My mom is 69 years old. She has suffered from schizophrenia as long as I can remember, and she has been homeless for many years.
My my name is Tina Joselyn. I have three brothers. We are starting the conversations about how to best care for mom. I think her age, the fact that her parents are no longer alive, and the increased cost of living has meant some significant changes must be made.
Forty plus years ago she could hide some of her illness with alcohol abuse. She used to live with boyfriends and such, never healthy.....just a way to exist. I think her parents bought her a camper truck and she could travel the Pacific Northwest in style! She stayed in campgrounds and sometimes a family members' yard. Short stays....with her disease she is always moving on. She used to be able to afford a few nights in a cheap hotel once in a while with the help of a small social security check or a Good Samaritan. She is a fan of natural supplements....somewhere along the way I think she has met a naturopath who prescribed a few things for her mental illness, stress and agitation. Again, Mary used to be able to buy her vitamins or a Good Samaritan would buy them for her along with that cup of Jo.
Crazy Mary, as many in Barstow California would refer to her, has been homeless and toothless traveling between Arizona and Washington for the past 20+ years. With the cost of everything going up, her only choice has been to stay at homeless shelters, or more often sleep on the streets, a park bench or church steps.
She is currently in a mental health facility, placed there mandatorily. I don't have enough facts or a clear enough picture to confirm that it is the first time. I believe she has to take medication for her illness while there(praying for a miracle is good)!
I care for for this person that I call mom. I would hope the next 10+ years could have a little more comfort and security for her!
I am almost certain that she will not remain on the medications prescribed for her. I know that good sleep, healthy meals, being in a supportive environment, and her wonderful faith in God will get her through a lot.
I think Mary's perfect world would include limited stays with each of her kids. I think she would get involved with free classes offered at a local library and a bible study at church. I know she would remain active in AA and NA.
I believe Mary might still show up to a homeless shelter once in a while or find a free meal. It's the life she has known for so long. I hope she could stay the night in a hotel again for a break( and time to sort all the papers she has collected along the way). I hope that she could buy her supplements and maybe not run out of them quite so often. And yes, I hope she could afford her vices.... her own rolled cigarettes and a coke now and again!
Please get involved. Share a little love and hope with a donation of money, information and your prayers!
Our plan would include giving mom a stipend for each month with the money raised.
Thank you,
Tina
Organizer
Tina Armstrong Joselyn
Organizer
Langley, WA
