A couple of years ago I was out in the local town centre, near the station, it was evening in the winter and cold. I heard a clatter and saw a wheelchair rolling away backwards. On examination I saw a lady with one arm and one leg fall on the ground and make as if to sleep.
I went over to her and asked what was wrong and she said "I'm sleeping rough, the hospital discharged me and there is no insurance".
I looked and the helpless cripple and picked her up and put her in a chair, put my coat over her and walked her to the local town hotel, about a mile down the road.
It had a wheelchair entrance, so, I asked the receptionist for a room for the lady as she was homeless and needed help with dressing, eating, and would die if left outside.
The receptionist looked up and said "yes", "we have a room specially available for this". I paid ten pounds for the night and meals. I rang social services and told them that a cripple needed urgent help with a nurse, and money to stay in the hotel.
It was arranged. I left. Later I found out that she had been hurt in a motor cycle accident. She was riding pinion and her boy-friend was killed the fault was awarded, I can't remember who to, but he had no insurance and there was no pay out. "One day your OK, then, Bang!, your not!"
But she is a fighter and I found her selling "Big Issue" near where I originally found her and has a flat. She says she hops to get around and can dress and feed herself.
I usually buy one from her. She takes the money I give her. I wonder how long she'll live.
Chris.