I ran in to a friend from law school yesterday who has apparently become homeless. I'm pretty sure he is also suffering from some pretty severe mental illness. I tried to offer him some help but he refused to take it. I'm pretty bummed out about it. Of all the people I knew in law school, he was the most passionate about Justice. He really cared about the idea of helping people and truly believed, in a way I never could, that even the most wretched of defendants deserved the best representation possible. He was also a damn good criminal defense attorney. I often wished that I had possessed even a fraction of his passion and ability. I wish I knew more about what happened to bring him to this. I can't help thinking that something is seriously wrong in a country that allows someone like him to fall through the cracks. Maybe something wrong with me too as it seems to happen far too often to people I claim as friends.
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
sorry to hear about your friend - there really isn't that much that separates a lot of people from that state, mental illness notwithstanding. my best to you both
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. You shouldn't beat yourself up over it though. Mental illness is tough to deal with when it's your everyday, run of the mill, garden variety stuff. The kind of mental illness that helps make one homeless and refuse the offer of help is the kind most of us can't even fully comprehend. You tried. Sometimes the best we can do is hope for the best. Maybe he'll get better, do better, be better. I hope so.