Smoke smoke smoke that cigarette. . . .

I’m pushing 30 years of involvement with Nightwatch.  And this was a first.

On my usual rounds, I ran into a homeless woman in a motorized wheelchair.  She’s been staying here, there, anywhere she can get help. She requires more personal care than the shelters are able to give.  Incontinence has caused some shelters to close the door to her.

I decided to ask a difficult question.  “Why don’t you go into a care facility?  You’re surely eligible.”  

“I was in one of those places for quite a while.  But they take all your money.  You’re left with $50 a month to spend on incidentals.  And I’m a smoker.”

She’d rather be homeless than give up smoking. She’s paying a terrible price for her Camels.