Stories

It’s now a few months ago that I started working at Street Nurses.

Whenever I mention this, I am often asked if my work is not too difficult.

The question puzzles me each time, and my answer is always the same: no, my work is not too difficult.

What a week! I must say that you made me feel very much alive with a cocktail of emotions: you made me laugh till I cried – but also severely tested my patience.

In this early spring, we have an appointment with Ms. V. We’ll accompany her to the hospital for an important examination. Her knee is getting much worse and she can hardly walk.

Being late is therefore out of the question.

Suzanne has lived on the streets of Brussels for 12 years. Thanks to intensive support from street nurses, and in collaboration with various other organisations, she now lives in a house since four years. She has just joined the "My Way" project.
 

Mr T.*, 65, lived isolated in a tent for years. Suffering from psychological problems, he was so disconnected from reality that his hygiene had become appalling. Moving with him was quite an epic journey because his smell was unbearable and his behaviour could be problematic. We were even told: "You will never be able to put him in housing".

We would have blamed ourselves if he had died on the street, it would have been very difficult for the team.

Each time we met, Mr. V. had a smile on his face. Each time we met, the magic worked, like an enchanted parenthesis.

Just a year ago, I took a long leave after 5 years with Street Nurses, in order to take distance, question one's professional commitment and avoid a burnout.

This week we have done a “team exchange”. This means that I, who am usually inactive in street work, have joined the “housing” team.

Today I accompanied Mr J to the hospital for his pre-admission interview. It’s now almost two years that I have known him. This morning he is nervous but not less determined to stop his excessive drinking habit.