Some People Just Need More Help
I was reading about a new homeless outreach center today. Most days it feels like my Mom and I are one bad day or misstep from my cousin kicking us out. I don't believe she actually would but she has referred to us as house guests.
I was delighted by what I read in the Denver Gazette
https://www.denvergazette.com/2025/11/18/aurora-homeless-navigation-campus-welcomes-176-people-on-first-day/
Until I found one phrase
"The campus is the final piece of the puzzle of that approach, Coffman told The Denver Gazette previously, offering a place where people can access all of the services they need in one building while being incentivized to work toward self-sufficiency."
Self sufficiency denies the existence of folks like my mother and I. For reasons outside our control as long as capitalism rains supreme, self sufficiency isn't possible for us.
The support infrastructure for Disabled Americans is a gilded joke. Given how many homeless individuals also seem to have mobility aids, this expectation of self sufficiency is absurd and shortsighted.
Then again, seems like the city of Aurora doesn't seem to care about the root causes of homelessness. Another quote from the article.
"Over the past year, Aurora City Council members have moved forward with what the mayor has called a “tough love” approach to homelessness, enacting a camping ban, alongside starting a court system to address low-level offenses by homeless people."
Too long we've been ignoring Disabled Americans and then hardships and hurdles they face. I face.
My own father clearly thinks I'm just not trying hard enough.
My cousin doesn't seem to understand chronic pain or ADHD.
And you usually only get accommodations if you're already hired when you're injured. The rest of the time they make excuses to avoid reasonable accommodations.
Reading about the new homeless outreach center in Aurora inspired me to reflect deeply on the limitations of current approaches to homelessness, especially for disabled Americans like myself and my mother. I’ve experienced firsthand how systems built on the assumption of 'self-sufficiency' often overlook the realities faced by those living with chronic pain, ADHD, or mobility challenges. The expectation that everyone can simply pull themselves up by their bootstraps neglects the structural and personal barriers we encounter daily. Living with disabilities means navigating a world designed primarily for people without such challenges, from inaccessible workplaces to rigid social services. While outreach centers can provide essential resources, the notion that they serve as a final puzzle piece only works if 'self-sufficiency' is a realistic outcome for everyone. For many, this simply isn't the case. Instead, what we need is an infrastructure that centers on long-term, adaptable support—programs that acknowledge disabilities, provide consistent accommodations, and address the root causes of homelessness beyond surface-level enforcement like camping bans and court systems. In my experience, family members and society often misunderstand or dismiss the invisible hurdles that disability creates. For example, my father has suggested I’m 'not trying hard enough,' and my cousin’s attitude reflects a lack of awareness about chronic conditions. This stigma adds emotional burden to the practical difficulties of securing stable housing and employment. What’s more, workplaces only tend to provide accommodations once you’re already employed—and even then, these are not guaranteed or easy to obtain. The reality for many disabled homeless individuals is that survival is about much more than hard work; it requires empathy, tailored assistance, and systemic change. It’s vital for communities and policymakers to move beyond simplistic frameworks and recognize the diversity of needs among homeless populations. Offering comprehensive services in one location, like the Aurora Homeless Navigation Campus, is a positive step, but it should be part of a broader strategy rooted in dignity, understanding, and genuine support for those who face chronic obstacles.
