For some time, I have been aware of the number of people in my area who are taking drugs. I often come out of my home and see them openly using drugs on the street corner without any concern for who might see them. I vividly remember an instance when I saw them sitting on the ground, using drugs right in front of me. I would walk past and never say anything. It seems like people are no longer bothered by it. There is no discretion at all. I mean, drugs are illegal, but it's like there not, and it has become the norm. 

On Saturday 20th July, I nipped out to go to my local Asda, as I was walking I noticed a group of people surrounding someone. It was a man who had an amputated leg, he looked like he was intoxicated and was stone out cold… I asked what had happened, and I was told that he was found in that state, and an ambulance had been called. So I decided to wait with everyone, and not go to Asda. An hour had gone by and the ambulance had not arrived. When the ambulance eventually came, it was a sigh of relief for everyone as we all started to genuinely care for the man.

When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics informed us that we could leave. Something urged me to turn back, and I heard the paramedics say, he doesn't want our help let's go. I then said are you just going to leave him there on the pathway like this and they said yes… I then said are you not going to call the police because he is a vulnerable adult and he is at risk. The paramedics said that they would contact the police. I felt reassured in my heart leaving him knowing this. I decided to go home to take a shower as it had been a long time since I had been around an intoxicated person, and I could feel it affecting me.

I then prepared myself for my 3 hour meditation online. During the meditation, I kept on thinking about him and wondering if the police had arrived. So I decided to go and check on him, especially as he was literally around the corner from home. When I arrived, he was still there, and no police were in sight. I was in shock. A group of people walked past and began to show concern. I explained to them what had happened, and we called the police to inquire if they were coming. They informed us that the police had been cancelled by the ambulance service. We called the social services and they said they couldn't do anything because he was intoxicated. They said that someone would have to call the ambulance again, so that's what we did. While we were waiting for the ambulance, I went back home to tell my son where I was and what was happening. He came out to see the homeless man. A man came over to me and said, "God bless you," and thanked me. He kindly asked me if I wanted an ice cream. I politely declined and asked if my son could have the ice cream instead. My son, Asaru, is always patient and supportive when these situations arise for me. I felt like he deserved it more.

The ambulance arrived more quickly the second time around. When they asked they asked the homeless man questions, he was responsive and answered their questions. He said his name was Chris, short for Christopher. He also mentioned that he didn't want the paramedics help and just wanted to sleep. They told us that they have to respect his wishes to sleep on the pathway... People were walking past saying to leave him he is spice up, if the police or the paramedics don't care why should we... There was nothing we could do for him, but I was in this inner conflict of what to do, I kept on thinking if this was my son I wouldn't want anyone to leave him... Was I taking it too far? I understood the situation and where the paramedics were coming from, but I was disgusted and upset, I pleaded that he was a vulnerable adult. Where was the safeguarding in this? He was at risk. I said if I was your manager I would action you take him know matter what... Sadly, there was nothing they could do. The paramedics told us that if we see police in the area, we should inform them as they might be able to help. However, if we call the police, they won't come out. They covered him with a blanket and left. And so did everyone else...

I began to realise I had been standing outside for what seemed like a very long time, probably about 5 hours... I decided to go to Asda and check on Chris again on my way back. As I was walking out of Asda, I saw a police car and thought to myself, "Is this a sign from God?" Was I not meant to give up on Chris... I approached the police car and saw a police officer inside. I shared with him what had happened, and he mentioned that he was waiting for his colleague to arrive. When she arrived, I informed her about the situation as well. They said they would come and speak to Chris and encourage him to seek help. I expressed my concerns for his well-being and gave them my address, which was nearby where he was sleeping. They came over straight away. Some of the people who left walked by and were shocked that I managed to bump into the police on my way back from Asda. And that I never gave up. Again, the police really did their best to help him, more than the paramedics, but there was nothing that they could do. They said they would put a care plan in place for Chris, ready when he needs the help. The young girl who was with us from the start came back and brought Chris some snacks. She was only fourteen. We decided to stay until sunset. I said to her that I needed to go and cook dinner for my son. She said that she would wait until I got back. I cooked dinner for my son and brought Chris back some food as well.

The young girl left and went home for a while. I was talking to Chris to God and my Guru, Paramhansa Yogananda, about how I can best help him. It looked like it was going to rain, and I was saying to Chris, your name is like Christ in a humorous way, but he never laughed... I said, even though I am black, you are my brother, and I do not want to see you here like this, no response... I said I know you can hear me, Chris.

The young girl came back with her sister and said they had to go to Asda for their mum. I said okay and mentioned that I was going to put a jacket potato in the oven, as I was starting to get hungry. On my way out, as I was approaching Chris, I noticed that a woman was on her phone. When she saw me approaching Chris, she walked up to me. She was on the phone talking to the ambulance services. I told her that we had called them out twice, and as soon as I said that, Chris shot up and said not to call them.

I thanked God that he got up... And felt a huge relief... I looked at him and asked if he could get in his wheelchair. He said yes and so he did. I couldn't believe my eyes, I was so grateful to see Chris in action. He then began to check his pockets and realised that his money and phone had been stolen, which left him upset. It began to rain, and he started moving his wheelchair. When I asked where he lived, he replied that he lived under a bridge not far from where we were. I was hesitating about whether I should follow him because I had my jacket potato in the oven. However, he was upset, saying that his friend would be worried about him, as it was his friend's phone he had lost. In the moment I could just see a child who was afraid, not a homeless man who had an amputated leg, who was intoxicated by drugs and alcohol... I just listened to him speak, I was amazed at how he was manoeuvring his wheelchair in the rain and how he didn't mind me being there with him. I asked him if he believed in God, and he said no, because God has taken all the people he loves away from him.

I commented on his strong arms, and he smiled. I said to him that he is worth more than the life he is living now and that there are people out there who really want to help you. He told me that he is going to rehab in Newcastle in October and that he is trying. The rain was getting heavier, and I was worried about my jacket potato, my son, and a burning house. I asked Chris if we were nearly there, and he said yes. I asked if he wanted me to come with him, and he said yes because his friend wouldn't understand. I asked if his friend would mind me coming, and he said no. As I didn't want him to get in any more trouble with his friend. As we approached the bridge, I could see his friend. Chris began explaining to his friend what had happened and how he lost his money and his phone and how I helped him. I told his friend not to be mad at him because it wasn't his fault, and I asked him to promise me. Which he did and then I said goodbye to both of them.

I rushed back home in the rain as quickly as I could. When I reached my gate, I was relieved to see that my house looked fine. A neighbour approached me and inquired about what happened. She mentioned that she and some other neighbours had joined forces to raise concerns about the drug issues in our neighbourhood, but no action had been taken. The neighbour expressed her gratitude for what I did... I politely expressed the need to go inside as I had a jacket potato in the oven and was soaking wet. When I got inside my home, I went straight to the oven and saw that the total time I took was 40 minutes. My Jacket potato never burned… I thanked God so much as I never knew how the day was going to end… I was so glad I was there for Chris until the end and never gave up despite the professionals who were doing their jobs, but in my eyes, it wasn't good enough… I have always been known to go beyond my duties, and service for others, not wanting anything in return... Sometimes I doubt if I am doing the right thing, but in the midst of everything God always shows me, that I am... I am glad that God and my Guru was with us. 

I know that where I dropped Chris off was not a safe place, but it was safer than the place where he was, and that was on a pathway. I was praying to God and my Guru, thanking them, and reflecting on the day, and then a thought came to me that we were also protecting his wheelchair. Someone could have robbed his wheelchair, and what would have happened then? It did take my body a long time to recover from it all. As I am super sensitive… But I was so grateful.

On Wednesday 31st August, I decided to treat my son to McDonald's. As I left my house and turned the corner, I bumped into Chris, who was with a friend who also had an amputated leg. I was so happy to see him, as I had often prayed for him and wondered how he was doing.

When I approached him, he had a huge smile on his face. He said to his friend Gem, 'This is the lady that I was telling you about who helped me.' He mentioned that the blankets were still in the same spot. I replied, yes, I know, and we chuckled.

I asked him how he was, and he told me that his friend had taken his phone, so now he has no phone and they are not friends anymore. He mentioned that he still lives under the bridge. Then he said, look, I got a new haircut. I looked at him and gave him some positive vibes by showering him compliments about how good he looked, which he did compared to the last time I saw him. I was talking to Gem, and she mentioned that she just got into supported housing and is working on turning her life around. Chris also informed me that the rehab location has been moved closer, and it's not in Newcastle anymore. He was sharing with me his qualifications, he said he has a diploma in psychology, he is a plumber and wants to work with youth…

I asked Chris again does he believed in God, he said no but I do believe in a Higher Power. He shared with me that his two favourite prayers are the Serenity Prayer and Foot Prints in The Sand… I told him that I knew the Serenity Prayer from when I was in AA. Chris began saying the Serenity Prayer of by heart, his voice was so beautiful and filled with confidence, it brought me great joy to hear him say the Serenity Prayer

I said to Chris, make sure you say the Serenity prayer over and over again. He smiled. Chris's friend Gem said to me that I was a lovely person and that it's rare to meet people who take the time to stop and talk with us in this way. I asked them if they wanted to take my number if at any time they needed someone to chat to, and they said yes, Gem written my number down in her notebook. I said to them I need to go now but please take care… As I was walking Chris started to move his wheelchair and I heard him say, we can go now….

I felt in my heart that he came just to see me and to thank me… It was like an encounter with divine souls, I never judged him, I just offered unconditional love and friendship. No one never paid me to help him, it was just all God, My Guru, Divine Mother and the Angels… When I was young I would often bump into drug addicts a lot... I remember a woman called Jenny, who I became fond of, I would always feel sorry for her... I remember finding out where she lived, I would stand outside her house just staring at her, as her door was always wide open..

I would watch how she took drugs and how it had an effect on her... I would always see a white glow of light around her... Jenny eventually had a baby, that is all I remember of her... It is so disheartening to witness people have to get to this level and it becomes their reality... The saddest part about it all was that there was never anything I could do but just watch.

I shared my story with a Hospice Chaplain and she shared with me that I showed discipleship, unconditional love and compassionate service in my community… She said I had gone above and beyond what anyone else would have done. She gave me a hymn called When I Need a Neighbour to listen to and reflect on, which you can find below…

And a Bible reading called the Parable of the Good Samaritan which you will find below as well…. That I wanted to share with you all..

I have to say I have not seen any drug users in my neighbourhood since the encounter with Chris... I am grateful that I trusted my intuition to stay with Chris, I was a neighbour, a friend, a stranger, and a sister who was there for him until the end. I am really not happy with the Public Services here in my Community… Someone said to me during it all, “that we are living in the end of times, what did I really expect from these professionals”… I said… I genuinely didn’t know this is how they are, and this has been my learning ground. I was so shocked and still am….

Let's pray for more Angels to help people like Chris in our world…

P.S. I bumped into Chris, yesterday and we took this beautiful picture together... He said taking a picture with me cheered him up...

Blessings & Love

Sushumnadwara