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Chronic illness not an issue for recent COSAC resident By Eleanor Roy Stetson University
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orty-five-year-old Timmy Pirkle has a bulging hernia on his stomach, a failing liver and kidneys and a history of alcoholism. Still, he refuses to become one of COSAC homeless shelter’s chronically homeless residents. Sean Cononie, COSAC’s founder and director, described the shelter as a “chronic people shelter,” adding that only one in 15 people here are not considered to be chronically homeless, and will eventually become self-sufficient. Cononie says studies show that if a person has been homeless three or more times in his or her life, then he or she is significantly more likely to remain homeless for the rest of his or her life. But Pirkle, a shelter resident for the past 10 months, says his goal is to get a new liver and avoid becoming a member of the chronically homeless that COSAC is known for housing. After a screaming match with a Memorial Regional Hospital doctor about being committed to hospice, Pirkle and Cononie are more determined than ever to get him back on his feet. They also managed to get him on the liver transplant waiting list. Pirkle says his alcohol addiction landed him in his situation. “This is all my fault; I did it to myself. I’m not trying to blame anyone, and I’m not looking for someone to blame,” he says. Because of his failing liver and kidneys, Pirkle’s body retains more fluid than it’s supposed to. One time they had to drain 10 liters of fluid from Pirkle’s stomach to alleviate some of his pain, Cononie says. Sometimes his legs will swell two to three times larger than their normal size. “Without Sean, without my family here, I wouldn’t be alive right now,” Pirkle says, adding that he’s been sober for about 10 months. While Pirkle’s determination is refreshing, his situation is unique here. The majority of people at COSAC won’t be self-sufficient ever again, for various reasons. Cononie says some residents are just content with remaining homeless for the rest of their lives. For these people, the appeal of the she lter’s strong support system outweighs the troubles of dealing with the outside world. For others, it’s a matter of looking for a home. “Some people have been shunned by their family,” Cononie says, adding that the shelter then becomes a permanent home for residents seeking acceptance. “If you have somebody living [with you] for 10 years, you know them. They’re part of you.” Pirkle says he hasn’t decided what he will do after his liver transplant, but he would like to work at the shelter in the future. “I’d be like a walking testament to people,” he says. When asked if he thinks he’ll be successful with his goals, Pirkle says “with God’s help, yes.”
Pirkle shows the hernia on his stomach, one of his many ailments caused by his alcoholism. He is awaiting a liver transplant. Photo by Sarah Williamson
“This is all my fault, I did it to myself. I’m not trying to blame anyone, and I’m not looking for someone to blame,” - Timmy Pirkle
hvoice.org
october 2012
While Pirkle’s story is unusual most COSAC residents are considered chronically homeless, and will likely live out the rest of their lives in homeless shelters. Below are three residents that consider this shelter to be their home. Photos by Joshua Santos
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Lynn Williams, 65
Virginia Beacher, 86
Originally from South Carolina
Originally from Virginia
Resident for five years “My husband passed away, and I ended up here by myself.”
Resident for five years “I just walked in … I ain’t got no other home, baby.”
Lynn plans to stay here long-term.
Virginia says she doesn’t plan to leave.
Daniel Burton, 27 Originally from Southern California Resident for two years “I was really lucky.” Daniel plans to leave in the next few months, but admits that the shelter may have to be his home for a little longer. The staff believes he will be here long-term.