Fix a life - start with 'hi'

How many times have you walked or drove by someone who was begging on the side of the street? 

What about the man in the wheelchair with the bleeding legs, who doesn't ask for money, but is bent over from pushing himself around the streets of Kelowna because he has nowhere to live?

How many sad, broken, homeless individuals have you turned your back on so you didn’t have to deal with it?

So, you could pretend they didn’t exist?

Why do you think these people are where they are to begin with?

If you don’t have someone who loves you, major life trauma can lead to homelessness.

People think: “Oh, I can’t give that person a toonie, he’s just going to buy drugs with it” ... “gross, I bet that person hasn’t showered in a week.”

These are the things we have constructed in our minds so we can ignore these people. We assume they deserve it, or we can't do anything to help.

Saying something kind is better then saying or doing nothing.

Addiction can be an unrelenting issue in many cases, but do not excuse you from saying hi or from general good manners.

Maybe they're not buying drugs,. Maybe they're on welfare and their cheque didn’t come on time for rent. Maybe they were born a man and identify themselves as a woman and no one will hire them because of the stigma. 

We are so good at judging without knowing the full story. 

These people need us to pay attention, not pretend they aren't there. 

The most dehumanizing thing you can do is turn a blind eye. Just asking their name can make someone feel like you care. It can make a difference.

If enough people showed a little compassion, they might have the confidence to move forward in their lives.

Start with 'hi.' If you want to buy them a cheeseburger or a coffee, even better.

Life changes in a heartbeat. You can never be sure it won't be you one day.

Lyndsey Wyse