Why I Walk

AUNT ANGIE’S STORY

We're grateful to have walked with Pam B. for the last 2 years, and to know her story. Pam kindly allowed us to share with our community about herself, her Aunt Angie, and why the walk is so meaningful to her family:

Who Am I:
I am a wife, a mother to 5 sons and a nurse. I enjoy cooking, baking, walking our dog, spending time with our grandchildren. My passions include volunteer work, end of life care with dignity and creating opportunities for others.

Why I Walk:
Preventing homelessness is near and dear to my heart. My Aunt Angie was homeless on the streets of Boston for 35 years. The circumstances in her life that resulted in her becoming homeless was a family difference. She left her home in central NY to distance herself from her family and moved to Boston where she sold newspapers and magazines, she, along with several others, lived in an abandoned building until that was no longer an option. I recall meeting her when I was 4, that was the only time I ever saw her until my husband and I made it our mission to find her, all we knew was she was in Boston. We learned that the homeless population often spent time at South Station. We chose a cold winter night in February to start our search. I knew that I would recognize her when I saw her because I was often told I looked exactly like her. We walked in the bus station and there on a bench, sleeping, was a white haired version of myself with hands that were identical to my mothers. We walked up to her, she was sleeping. I stood in front of her, she looked up at me and said “Hi Pamela” I hadn’t seen her in 40 years at that time! We developed a relationship with us visiting frequently, particularly in the winter months, hoping she would allow us to provide for her, she never would accept anything other than a pair of non-descript shoes as hers were worn and far too big. I could go on and on with many stories of our visits, of how we learned what it is like living on the streets, but there’s not time for that on this page. Jump ahead 3 years and many visits later, we received a phone call from New England Medical Center informing us she had been an unconscious patient there for 2 weeks, she awoke and gave them our name (she did carry our number in her handbag, but it had been stolen when she fell in South Station and broke her neck.) We arrived that evening and made arrangements for her to be transferred to a Vermont nursing home near us where she spent the last 5 years of her life paralyzed from the neck down. Although she couldn’t move she could speak and was very articulate. She was warm, safe and forever grateful to be reunited with her family.

My life is so much better having loved her.

What I Hope Others Gain From Walking:
My hope is to make others recognize homelessness can affect families from all walks of life. Whether you live in a mansion or on the streets we all have the same needs.