Papa Joe a story about a man who lives in Oliver BC

On Jan 19, 2008 I walked up to a man who was playing his guitar in front of the mall. His name was Papa Joe he is 51 years old. I decided to ask him if he would be willing to talk to me. I told him I would like to write about Oliver, and the people who live here. He agreed. Here is his story.

Papa Joe has been playing his guitar, and a various other instruments on the street for three years in the winter. He is on disability. He has spinal arthritis, and needs to take a great deal of pain medication. He lives in a trailer with his wife, and he has a dog, and a couple of cats. He said that "I do not drink or do drugs." "I use the Morphine that my doctor gives me that is all." He plays his music to make a little extra money, so that he can try and keep up with his bills. He just recently got a bill for his gas. His payments were behind so they cut his gas off. He has started catching up on his payments, and they have turn his gas back on. He is doing his best, to pay his bills but it is not easy. People on disability do not get a lot of money.

Papa Joe's music of choice is the blues. Papa Joe, was named by the kids who know him and see him on the street. In a day if he is lucky he will make $50.00. Today when I walked up to him it was afternoon, and we talked, he told me that all he had made so far was $7.00. Even through he was out in the cold playing his music his spirits were up. He told me that the people of Oliver were good people. As he was smiling. He asked me where he could find the story I was writing about him. And when he got the time, he could go to the seniors home, or the library to read it. He also asked if I could send my article to him. I do not normally do that. I think since he gave me the time to talk, I will do that. I gave him my sight. I look forward to talking with him again, and maybe getting a chance to write more about him, and his life. As I said good-bye and shook his hand, he said to me "God bless and you, you have made my day." "I replied God bless to you too." It felt good to talk to some one who is doing what ever they can to survive in this world.

I know what it is like to be on disability my husband has been on it for at least five years. He has a rare skin condition, as well as osteoporosis, and his bones are thinning at a fast rate. He has been on prednisone for 15 years to keep his skin in check. He still works part time at two different jobs. Before he ended up on disability he was a work aholic. He had to stop, because he was ending up in the hospital every three months. I stay at home because our daughter is special needs. With the way prices are going up how is anyone going to survive in this world. Even people who are not on disability, can not manage with the high cost of living.

By Juanita Fraser