Joy Carpenter: Joy was so consumed with trying to figure out her son’s own illness, she did not even realize she was jeopardizing her own health in the process. Carpenter’s son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He had extreme violent tendencies and would often physically hurt her. The days would be very debilitating for Carpenter, both mentally and physically as she struggled to cope with her son’s disease and come up with the best possible option for him

Unfortunately, this was not the first time Carpenter had been exposed to an abusive situation. Her father physically and verbally abused her as a child and then she married an abusive and alcoholic husband. Her past as well as her situation with her son had finally caught up to Carpenter both mentally and physically. She was eventually diagnosed with depression, severe anxiety and social phobia. She would go days without even leaving her house and was often unable to do anything. Carpenter was so busy taking care of everyone else; she completely forgot to take care of herself.

Carpenter realized she needed help, and she found that help through HCCH. One of her biggest issues was deciding to put her son in a group home. This was a decision that often plagued her and led to many of her problems. “I might be dead right now if the people at HCCH had not told me it was ok to put my son in a group home,” said Carpenter. Carpenter was sent to HCCH and was obviously scared. After awhile she realized that the people were there to help, not judge her or upset her. She appreciated how they treated her like a real person and actually recognized her problem. “I am very grateful,” said Carpenter. “I have a lot of illnesses (physically and mentally) and I couldn’t have done this on my own.”

A Man of Great Faith

Arnold “Arnie” Dietrich is a 66 year old man of tremendous faith.  Arnie has been a patient at the Health Care Center for the Homeless since 2005 and is quite a remarkable success story.  It was here at HCCH that he was helped back on the road to better health

However, Arnie’s story begins long before that.  Arnie grew up in a strict Pentecostal household and it was here that the seeds of his faith were sown.

As Arnie grew into an adult he became a missionary and traveled to over forty countries helping those in need.  Homelessness was not a stranger to him.  “I was doing the Lord’s work and saw many destitute people. I never thought that I would end up homeless.”

As his career continued to climb he became frustrated with his life despite his great success.  Arnie had a couple of failed marriages.  He grew unhappy with the people around him even his children (three boys and a girl).  As his dissatisfaction with life grew, his faith and strong belief system began to crumble away.  He attempted suicide.   

Never having done drugs or drink, it was hard for him to comprehend that his reality was slipping away.  He began to hear voices and had a “psychotic breakdown”.  In a desperate move he left everything behind to “check out of life” for three years. 

His life became a blur and he ended up in Florida where he spent 18 months sleeping every night at the Coalition for the Homeless.  It was there that he started to reconnect with his love of helping others.  He befriended other homeless men at the shelter offering them words of encouragement and a helping hand.  However, his health began to deteriorate rapidly and he had to be transferred to Pathways to Care (an HCCH partner).

It was when he was at Pathways that he first encountered the Health Care Center for the Homeless and our own Dr. Olga Molina.  Dr Molina says, “Arnie is not the same man today as when I first met him two years ago.”

Health Care Center for the Homeless provided Arnie with a “medical home” and he soon became stabilized and able to move to a senior housing complex in downtown Orlando.

It was there he began the work of repairing his family relationships. First, he shyly reached out to his family through emails.  He eventually made a phone call via a cell phone that a former homeless friend gave to him.  It was those precious remaining forty minutes of air time that helped him bridge the gap he had created.

Everyone in his family was receptive to his efforts except his son-in law Miguel (Migs). He was leery because he wanted to protect his two children who had already felt the pain of losing their grandfather. 

The family begged Migs to welcome Arnie back but it took some time.  Arnie saw this as a divine intervention.  He says, "God was speaking to me through my son in law.  Migs was there to remind me that my actions had major consequences and hurt many people. God was telling me that if I decided to do that again, I would lose them forever.”

Today Arnie is a changed man.  His health continues to improve and he is back doing his life’s work helping others.  He says, “This time it is different, I have a new fervor”. 

His relationships with his family are improving with time. “I am truly blessed to have my life and loved ones back again”.  For his grandchildren they are happy to have their grandpa back once again.

At the Health Care Center for Homeless we have many success stories like Arnie. 

We are proud of our patients who have faced many difficult life decisions and have found the courage and conviction to change their lives.  We thank Arnie for sharing his story and serving as living proof that we are making a difference here at the Health Care Center for the Homeless.