Minister Guides Blind Man Into A New Home
A blind man finds his way thanks to the good graces of a Long Island minister.
It's easy to fall through the cracks; to be one of those people who don't get, or don't know how to get, the services they need. Charles Ghose is one of them.
"I'm totally blind in my right eye," said Charles, "and see very little shadows and shapes in my left eye."
We first met Charles Ghose this past summer. Legally blind and struggling to survive. He says his family sent him back to England back in 1996 because they couldn't care for him. Several years later his British relatives sent him back here. "I have family but they live in Hudson Valley," he said, "They see me as a hassle. They'll have medical bills and all this stupid stuff."
He gets food stamps and social security and he'd been living in the Ward's Island shelter. He and his friends thought it wasn't safe though and they found him a one-room studio apartment on Craig's List. That's how he ended up on Long Island in this studio apartment. It's not ideal. "I have no kitchen stove, no sink, everything has to be microwaveable." he said.
It's also meant he's out of reach of every social services agency he needs. The Adult Protective Services hasn't helped. Several agencies we reached out to said for one reason or another, they couldn't either.
Charles understands he doesn't fit the usual criteria. "To qualify you have to be disabled, you have to be in harm's way, etc.," he said. Now Charles is losing this place. The rent is going up to $800 a month.
There had to be some way to help him. We called the Rev. Lewis Braxton. He runs a group home for young people. The Reverend was able to find a way.
"With the downturn in the economy this shelter, like many others, is behind in rent. Food levels are lower. And," he continued, "because Charles is legally blind it is hard. We don't have any space but we took him in anyway."
Bless you Rev. Braxton. We're going to keep track of Charles' progress. We hope we prevented the one more person from completely falling through the cracks. If you would like to help Charles secure a home, please e-mail Help Me Howard at HelpMe@WPIX.COM.
Comments: 10
Hi. I have recently watched this on t.v. and I think it is wonderful to know that you are trying to help people from all sorts of background. It is a shame that because of this recession, people are often going homeless, and people like Charles, with disability needs, are suffering. I mean to hear him not being able to pay the rent, and having to move out and not being able to buy proper medication...its sad! I'm glad that people like you and Rev. Baxton look out for people. Its nice to know that even though the shelter can not take anymore people, Rev. Baxton still took Charles in. It some what eleviates the pain of the recession, and acknowledges that there is still hope.
It is at times like this that I feel so blessed to have so much in my life.
I would like to help. I may be able to contribute a small amount to help with the assistant dog's care and to help the Rev.'s shelter please let me know where I can contribute.
Jody
hi!
I watch the 'Help me Howard" report and
though how will people help?
thay gave no phone number o even said
the name of group the Father was fom!
it need more info to help Charles Ghose
Yes! I would like to help Rev. Braxton's shelter, and in particular this young man.
Please post more information!!
Yes! I would like to help Rev. Braxton's shelter, and in particular this young man.
Please post more information!!
My wife and I were very moved by this story. Like the other people who posted on this blog we would like to help too.
If there is any information on how we can help Charles Ghose and Rev Braxton please let us know how.
hi
i got the info to help
carmensplace.org
frBraxton@carmensplace.org
if you want to help out charles or the Shelter
i will love to help out can i get a telaphone #
Hello, Charles is My good Friend. If You Have any questions or want to donate (etc). Please email Me at Nejlaaktash@Aol.com You can Make a difference by helping out my friend Charles and his dog. Hopes Hugs Kisses
From Nejla
Hello, Charles is My good Friend. If You Have any questions or want to donate (etc). Please email Me at Nejlaaktash@Aol.com You can Make a difference by helping out my friend Charles and his dog. Hopes Hugs Kisses
From Nejla