FREDERICK
PHOTO BY RANDY BACON
FREDERICK’S STORY
I was born in Muscatine Iowa. My ex girlfriend in Davenport, Iowa brought me out here. I’ve been homeless off and on since ’99. I moved here in 2010, I moved to Aurora. I was with a gal down there for awhile. Right now I am happily homeless. I have a homeless camp I’ve been staying here recently, but it’s about to move to a different location.
For me, the hardest thing about being homeless, with my bad knees and stuff, it’s just getting around. Actually the hardest thing for me is I don’t have my emotional support dog. I just need to get another one. I need a new dog. I’m not going to take it back from the little girl that my ex-best friend gave it to. I’m just not that cold hearted. That dog, she was my baby. I changed her life, she changed mine.
My biggest regret is never getting to know my son. He just doesn’t know there is a father out here who’s always wanted to be a part of his life - just to let him know, I love him. I tried for five years, after I found out I had a son, to find him, but I didn’t. Not being a part of his life is a hole in my soul, that I have not found anything to fill it. It’s a pain I live with everyday. Another regret, that I could help more people... especially kids. I love all kids and I would do anything for any child - I don’t care if they’re rich, poor; if they have special needs, you know.
Life’s not easy for anyone - if you’re out on the street or you have a home. Everybody has problems. You never know that somebody may be so depressed that they’re ready to take their own life. If someone would just smile and give a kind word, it could keep them alive. So, my advice to others is to be kind to each other. Basic morality that most people seem to forget. I’ve been on top a few different times. This is my fourth time being homeless - it can happen to anyone. No one should think they’re better than anyone else just because they’re not on the street. Some of the best people I know live on the street. The most kind, generous people you could meet, don’t have a home.
I just want everybody to treat me the way they want to be treated.