Our local newspaper, the Fort Worth Star Telegram, had a story today about a 56-year-old homeless woman who had died. Alex Branch was the writer. Karen Shearhart was her name.
She appeared older than her 56 years, hair neglected had grown long and was pulled into a wool hat. She wore long-sleeved flannel shirts and pants year-round. Karen Shearhart was her name.
She preferred to live on her own terms, which included living in a wooded area near downtown Fort Worth. The story described her as "disappearing into the woods" when she headed to her home. The story said she talked of seeking squatters' rights to the area in which she nested: large garbage bags filled with paper provided cushion to sleep on. A plywood board apparently shielded her from whatever she believed she needed shielding from. The picture and description of her wooded estate showed evidence she had staked her claim years ago. It was a place of importance in her life. Karen Shearhart was her name.
I wonder what she thought about her existence. The story didn't say what her mental illness was, but it was pointed out that she was kind and able to carry on a conversation. However, the conversation could be halted if she got angry at something said. She was familiar to several social services people. She showed up for free lunch sacks. Karen Shearhart was her name.
She apparently made this wooded area her home about 8 years ago. During that time many people tried to get her to "come in." She told them, the paper said, she didn't like the shelters. In this area, it's not unusual for single homeless men to be alone and living outside. It is unusual for a 56 year old woman to be homeless outside all by herself. She resisted help from nonprofit agencies, church agencies, individuals. She had a place to stay at night in the woods. Karen Shearhart was her name.
People were able to gain her trust. She showed them her appreciation with gifts of clipped coupons. Clipped coupons held value for her, makes sense she would give them to people she valued. Karen Shearhart was her name.
She grew up in Tarrant County and was my age, 56 years old. It was reported she had heart disease, although it appears it was the heat that took her life. Karen Shearhart was her name.
On August 23rd, workers at Catholic Charities were concerned they hadn't seen her for a few days, unusual as she participated in lunch program. So they walked to her wooded home and sadly found her fallen. She already had passed. Karen Shearhart was her name.
What's the lesson learned? Mental health care is complicated. Some really fine people did all they could to make this woman comfortable and safe. They kept tabs on her, let her know they cared what happened to her. A lot of people in nice houses don't have that. And apparently, they wanted others to know about her as they called the newspaper to do a story about her. Those who tried to help her already did everything they could for her, but perhaps felt they could do one more thing: share her story. Karen Shearhart was her name.
I had never heard of this woman before today and I was glad to know about her. Karen Shearhart was her name.
1 comment:
I knew her in high school. She was so beautiful and gentle...like an angel. Keren was never pretentious or haughty. She was real, always kind and lamb like. My brother was her boyfriend and I knew her sisters. Things were not right at home for Karen as her father was a very strict man. I feared the worse. I just found out about this and it has devastated me. I believe Karen had Jesus with her through the times she appeaed alone. I believe she is now in Paradise. -Julia Allen McLain
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