Survivor: Inner City

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Survivor: Inner City

Even the homeless have a fierce sense of pride - and independence

By ANDREW HANON, SPECIAL TO THE EDMONTON SUN

"Are you kidding?" he says, his voice rising in shocked disbelief. "Eat out of a dumpster? You want to die?" Eating garbage, says as he regains his composure like a cat that's been tossed from a comfy bed, is for "the diseased." And while admits that he's one of Edmonton's growing multitude of homeless people, he hasn't sunk so low as to eat other people's table scraps. At least, not very often. "Once I was so desperate that I ate half a Snicker's bar and an opened can of Coke," he says, eyes cast downward. "But I was so paranoid afterwards that I got myself tested a couple times. You just don't know what diseases people are carrying."

, 28, came to Edmonton about a year ago, running for his life from Winnipeg. He refers vaguely to former gang connections, explaining that he used to do "jobs" for a notoriously violent crew. Once he got into a fight with another guy and ended up stabbing him. His victim's wounds weren't serious, but they could not go unanswered. A little while later, several men jumped and nearly beat him to death. They knew exactly what they were doing, he says. The blows rained down on his joints - knees and hips in particular. "That's what you want to do when you really want to hurt someone," he says. "Stab wounds heal up, but when your hip or shoulder are hurt bad, you never fully recover. And on the streets, if you can't walk, it's pretty hard to live." It also means he can no longer perform manual labour for extended periods of time. says he can't get the one- and two-day cash-for-work jobs that so many homeless guys survive on. Not that he expects taxpayers to support him. lives completely outside the system - no welfare, no AISH, no government cheques of any kind. "I don't even carry any ID," he says proudly. dumpster-dives, but only to find items that can be sold for cash - bottles, cans, good clothes and the like. On average, he makes about $30 a day, just enough to keep him in food. Survival instincts are sharply honed on the streets, and you quickly learn where to find what you need. Certain neighbourhoods have big-hearted people who deliberately leave out unopened food for dumpster-divers. regularly visits the alley behind one Alberta Avenue-area home, where someone leaves out nutrient-rich meal replacement drinks. The river valley is a fertile hunting ground for safe food, he says. If you're discreet, you can hover close to picnickers and wait for them to finish their meals. Just stay out of sight and as soon as they're gone, grab their leftovers. Children's food is always safe, he says. They haven't had time to be exposed to any diseases. He can tell you which park washrooms are open year-round, where he can enjoy the luxury of regular plumbing and running water. 's "house" is his most closely guarded secret. For the past nine months, he's been living in an abandoned five-tonne van in the middle of the city. Only a few of his closest friends even know where it is. He must be constantly on guard against theft, and when you're scratching out an existence on the streets, trust is a luxury that few can afford. He also worries about drawing too much attention to his home, which can be towed away at any time. With winter making a rapid return this month, shelter will be at a premium. "I don't stay at the shelters," he says with a sneer. "There are thieves everywhere, not to mention stabbings. And when it's cold, it's almost impossible to get in, anyway." His stride is surprisingly brisk. Each trash can passes is quickly examined for any cans, bottles or anything else of value. He cuts a wide, contemptuous path around panhandlers; they make life difficult for all of us, he says. A filthy, emaciated man slurs a request for spare change. Without making eye contact, shakes his head. As the beggar staggers away, mutters, "You see his yellow skin? Hep C. He's the walking dead. That will never be me."

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2006/09/24/1889041-sun.html