Connection Lost

All it took was a few people

They stepped in

They stepped up

In this case, it was obvious

Where child actor Tyler Chase was spotted homeless

The story quickly went viral

Before long, his reality emerged for the world to see

And all it took was a few people to step in and step up

The rest of the world followed

But not everyone is that lucky

He has had several people trying for YEARS to get him help

A small support system that desperately needed assistance and resources

But what’s stopping society from doing the exact same thing for others?

Is it because his was obvious?

You could tell from all videos that have surfaced that he’s probably experienced more than the vast majority

While his experience will be different then others in a similar situation, the question remains: what about the others?

No, you can’t force someone off the streets

No, you can’t force anyone into treatment

No, you can’t make someone choose a path they’re not ready to go down

But that doesn’t mean you block the path completely because of a no

It doesn’t mean you remove the treatment option because of a no

It doesn’t mean you remove housing options because of a no

It doesn’t mean you remove and all assistance because of a no

It doesn’t mean you remove your support because of a no

You can still leave ALL options on the table and walk away

You can still leave ALL options on the table and have others involved in check in’s and check ups

This isn’t a one person solution

There are signs and red flags EVERYWHERE when someone is sliding into the deep end

The signs and red flags may be different for everyone, but they’re there

If you’re sixth sense is screaming at you thay something is off, listen to it

The follow through doesn’t need to be extravagant

A simple text or dropping off a meal is enough to start

Listen with your eyes

Read between the lines

Because everything you see may not be the full story

Things may have happened behind closed doors that you didn’t know about

Even if they seem far fetched

Not everything comes wrapped in a pretty bow

Take a step back and evaluate

What would you do if something happened to you that seemed far fetched?

How would you want someone to respond?

Because if you see someone struggling and it seems like the story behind it is ‘too far out there’, you’re making it worse by stepping back and ‘letting them go’

Step in

Step up

Help

And keep offering the assistance

Bring in more people if you need to

But don’t walk away

Leave the door open

Keep the conversation going

Because one of the biggest mistakes you could make is to close the door

Especially if you lock it and refuse to answer

Help bring back the village