Do you know me?
You wouldn’t know it to look at me; but, I was once a Navy dental technician. I used to serve on battleships and carriers where it was easy for the sailors to crack or chip a tooth while they worked with heavy machinery and aircraft. I loved what I did. While I was serving in a joint unit tour in the Middle East, I hated the fact that, as a woman, I was not free to walk around or talk to the native residents without a male escort. To me, it was so chauvinistic. I started to keep to myself; I started to avoid people, even the military, and would only show up for duty. When we got back home, a doctor said I had anti-social behavior and couldn’t stay in the military. I totally lost it when I was let go. I found myself without a home, any friends, or anywhere to go. I stay in the shelters at night; but I’m on the streets or park benches during the day. I’m grateful for a smile or a nod; but nobody really wants to stop and talk.
Can you see us? We are some of the many faces of Fairfax County’s homeless community. Please help the homeless be seen. This link will bring you to a page to find out what you can do to help the homeless in Fairfax County.