The phone is ringing, and I am thinking it is another salesperson selling something in which I am not interested. So, I answer, begrudgingly, to find that is was not a salesperson! Instead, it was a young man asking me if he would qualify as a patient in our free clinic the next time it is open.

I asked him all the right questions to make sure that he qualified. He most definitely qualified! This is my first true homeless person, who has absolutely nothing in this world but the clothes on his back! Quite a reality check for me.

He is sick, alone, and scared. He states that he has tried for disability three times and has been denied each time. He is unable to work, as he is too sick and far too weak. He was recently discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of ALS or MS. He has no idea what it is that is making him so sick. He is six feet tall, and upon weighing him at the hospital, he weighed 119.2 pounds. He was horrified when they told him his weight. He did not realize that he had lost that much.

I told him that he definitely qualifies for our clinic and made an appointment for him for the next clinic. He stated that he would try and find a ride to get there, and I said I would try as well. I tried everything! City transit does not run on the weekends, and our clinic is on Saturday, so they were out. Tried the cab service and they would not collaborate with me either, even though we were guaranteeing payment. I also tried Citrus Connection, who said they could take him, however, he would have to fill out an application, and that process takes about two weeks.

The patient was very distraught. He sounded so hopeless on the phone. His quote to me was, "all I want is to get better so that I can get strong enough to work and then take care of myself." At this point, it sounded like he was in tears, and near his breaking point. Genuinely concerned for him, I told him that I would keep on trying to find him a ride, and he said that he would keep trying as well.

By 9 pm that night, I turned my phone off without finding this desperate man a ride. I fell asleep. When I got up the next morning, I had a message on my phone! He had found a ride! He was so excited that he was going to be able to come to the clinic.

I knew him immediately when he walked into the clinic. He was terribly thin and obviously malnourished. He was very polite and asked if we had a restroom he could use. He went in and was there for an exceptionally long time, to the point of me asking him if he was okay. He said he was fine. Upon exiting the restroom, he informed me that he had cleaned the sink, the toilet, the faucets and the doorknob so they were clean.

During the intake, a co-worker (a nurse) came up to him and asked him why he has scabs all over his arms. He was very embarrassed and said it was from sleeping on the ground. He right away let us know they had checked him for drugs and alcohol at the hospital and that he was clean. He states that he has never done drugs and has no desire for alcohol. He then let me know that everyone figures that since he is homeless, he is taking drugs and/or alcohol and does not know how to read or write.

The man is a high school graduate and was making a fair living until the unfortunate medical events of life made it impossible to continue. Now he just wants to find out what is wrong with him so that he can get well and take care of himself again like he used to.

He mentioned that it would be so wonderful if he could have something cold to drink, and a $1 hamburger. We brought him food and other necessities of life, such as toilet paper, wipes, so that he can clean himself, deodorant, and Kleenex. He was so extremely excited and could not stop thanking us.

He is quite a sick man, and we are going to do our best to help him to get better. Thought about "homeless" before, but this was a true reality check. I do not think I could survive what he is going through. He is very weak, but extraordinarily strong willed, and I am sure that he will be one that will make it back on his feet.

Others have heard of Jesse and have met him and are putting good will packages together for him as we speak. He did not ask for this. Food, clothing, toiletries, and anything else that we can help him with. Of course, the clinic is working to find out what is going on medically and will do our best to help him achieve better health so that he is able to stand on his own once again.

This is what our clinic is all about, and we need your help! It takes more than on person, or ten people to help this situation. It takes a community, and our community has what it takes. Won't you please help us by donating whatever you can? It would be so very much appreciated.

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Thank you for reading "Jesse's Story."