Previously posted on June 3, 2020
As previously mentioned, I first met Faris when we were both in the Crisis Residence in March 2019. After he left, we connected on Facebook and began texting each other. We were getting to know each other, talking about likes and dislikes. I remember early on asking him what would make him happy. His response was world peace. My reply was, “That’s a tough one,” to which he answered, “No, I know how to achieve it.” And he was serious.
Eventually, we started an actual friendship, occasionally meeting in the community. He was not in the Crisis Residence, but I transferred to their IRTS program and was to remain in the Crisis Residence for a couple more months. Because my support system was limited I was happy to have a new friend. As we talked I found out that he had been given a diagnosis of schizophrenia. He was under a commitment, a court order, to engage in treatment and medication. His parents had a restraining order against him because of previous threats that resulted in his hospitalization and civil commitment. He revealed more of his story the more I got to know him.
David had grown up in the Middle East, in Jordan. He had been living in the US (an American citizen) for many years, struggling with homelessness. Faris told me that it was because he was constantly on the run for his very life. The king of Jordan had been trying to kill Faris for many years. Somehow he had always managed to escape and traveled from state to state, always running away when he became unbearably fearful. He had moved to Minneapolis the previous November (2018). Faris said that he was constantly being poisoned with chemicals, pollutants, and psychiatric medications in his cigarettes, food, and drinks, including being slipped the psychiatric medications in his food at home by his parents. He believed his life was always in danger.
I listened intently to all of the things he told me. Horrific things that had been done to him and his family over the years. He told me that in 2006, without his knowledge, an infusion pump had been implanted in his chest. This infusion pump, triggered by those who were after him, pumped chemicals into his body as further attempts were made to kill him. They could do whatever they wanted to him and he had no control. He said that some of his family members had been killed by people hired by this king. It took me some time to understand all that he was telling me. All I could do was to listen to him and to offer whatever support I could. It broke my heart, but I could see that he loved his family and he was determined to get the rest of them out of the Middle East to safety.
In May 2019, I was released to a GRH (Group Residential Housing) for people with disabilities, a “halfway house” so to speak. This gave me more freedom to come and go as I continued to work on my mental health recovery with continued support. I was still considered to be homeless and I was unable to support myself. Not long after I got to this new residence, Faris texted me in the middle of the night. I didn’t see his text until early the next morning. He was in trouble and was asking for my help.
I texted him back as soon as I could and found out that his parents had kicked him out of the house. He wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place because of the restraining order against him. He was homeless again and had spent a cold night out on the street, unable to stay warm or sleep. I got up quickly, grabbed a few things (food and blankets), and left quickly to meet him. I caught a bus around 6:00 AM. I wanted to help him find a safe place to sleep while I stayed nearby to watch for his safety. He told me he didn’t want any food, he couldn’t eat anything anyone else gave him, because it was likely poisoned.
I met him and we took the train to a station near his house. He had his bicycle and a few other things and we walked to the lake nearby. Once we got there we found a spot where he could put up his hammock and sleep with the blankets I brought. I sat where I could see him and read a book while I kept watch over him and his bicycle. We stayed there all day and he got several hours of good sleep. Once he got up we talked more about his situation. This man was up against so many horrific things and all I wanted to do was help him.
Lake Hiawatha, Minneapolis, MN