Last December, fresh out of prison, I became homeless.

I had not yet imagined the idea of saying anything about homelessness. I was trying to survive it.

I was not doing a very good job.

I’m terribly near-sighted. And my eyeglasses broke at this time. I had no resources and no idea of how to pursue them. I went nearly blind. And I’ve been that way since, as all that follows occurred.

I slept in alleys. I slept in doorways. I slept in a few places for which I plead The Fifth.

I became sick. Really, really sick. It became difficult to breathe. I was coughing. My sinuses were either plugged and swelled or draining miserably. I was constantly choking.

On Christmas night, I’d had enough and went to the police station pleading for help. They gave me a paper saying that I wasn’t a sex offender and there weren’t any warrants against me to present to the emergency shelter. They called the shelter and told them they were sending me there.

I have some psychological difficulties and I have some serious physical ailments. And I’m just plain getting old.

I’m also a felon. You can research me if you want. I don’t mind.

I spent many years of my life as a petty thief. And not a very good one. I hope I’m a better person today.

I arrived at the shelter with two net bags of clothing and basic supplies.

I stayed there for weeks. I went to the hospital twice. I got several other people sick. And the shelter people still made me feel welcome.

I am not a perfect person. And sometimes it is difficult to follow the rules. I got kicked out of the shelter for smoking marijuana while I was at an outside location.

And I was homeless again.

I struggled through the bureaucratic programs that are out there for aid. But they can be awfully difficult to initiate and understand.

Finally achieving a room to shelter in, I learned to walk miles each day in search for food. That was a hard deal at first. There was an incredible mix up with me obtaining the card needed to access available food stamp benefits. It took months to get a card. While my benefits accumulated, I was starving.

I went everywhere and asked anyone I could think of to find food for myself. And it was hard to get used to doing so.

It’s become increasingly difficult for me to walk. And I found myself thrust into a situation which demanded that I walk, and walk, and walk … and often carry a lot of stuff along the way. I was in a lot of pain, which still continues.

And I found food. And one day my EBT card arrived. I’ve got food now. Yeah! And eventually the illness eased off. It still lingers a bit.

But I did have to walk a long way, over and over again, to get the food I have today.

I’m scheduled to begin vocational rehabilitation soon. I’m looking forward to it very much.

Two days ago I was offered a job which I believe I am capable of and will enjoy. It doesn’t pay great. But it pays enough for me begin taking care of me.

I’m looking forward to paying my own rent. Well, sort of.

Navigating through the obstacles of homelessness with several other strikes against me has often felt impossible. At one point I told my closest friend that I just wanted to go back to prison. But I couldn’t figure out how to do that without hurting someone in some way. And I didn’t want that. But I felt desperate. And that can get scary.

Things are better now. But still hard. I finally got an eye exam scheduled. I can’t wait to pick out new frames.

Joseph Carter of Lewiston is trying to survive homelessness and become a better person at the same time.