BipolarExpat
Accomplished faker
- May 30, 2019
- 698
Well, this is a long story and I'm on phone, so shorter version then.
Disclaimer: I'm no saint. When presented with people who need help I've done my best.
One Friday morning many years ago, I finished my class and walked into the teacher's room in Bundang, S Korea.
Several teachers were there and having an animated conversation about someone who had come into the reception area in pajamas and tried to apply for a job.
Turns out he's African American, looked confused and wandered off. I wasn't as amused as my colleagues and stormed out of the building after quickly scolding them for not offering help to someone who was most likely experiencing psychosis.
I walked around the block and spotted him. He was 21-22 years old, 6'8" ish, indeed sporting pajamas and pacing on a relatively quiet stretch of sidewalk clearly talking to himself.
I approached him, got his first name and tried to get him to show me where he was staying. We ended up in the parking garage (that supported my school among other businesses) and it became evident that he'd spent the night in the cheap motel exactly one floor above my workplace.
Two large check-in bags and a small carry-on were sitting in the corner. The parking attendant said something about him being kicked out of the motel. The young man was clearly "lost" and I had no idea what to do at first, so I took him to my headshrinker (pill pusher) nearby and here's where I'll have to start briefing what transpired:
- My shrink said, "I don't do psychosis."
- Motel said, "We need $100. And he was here partying with two other foreigners. They went over time, couldn't pay and ditched him."
- Hospital said, "He's in trouble but we can't do anything."
When the hospital was checking him out, I ruffled through his bags. I found no passport in his belongings (but 1 copy), he'd arrived only days previously, appeared to have had a breakdown in route or shortly after arrival (journal), had had a job (korean sponsor) and had about $15 in cash, zero credit/debit cards.
- His Korean job/sponsor said, "no comment other than: keep him away from us."
- His parents (in Georgia) said, "We're at a loss, cannot really help. He was fine when he left. We're glad you're helping him."
- The embassy said, "Get him here before 5pm (impossible) or first thing Monday morning. Or,...get him arrested."
- The police station said, "Don't do that. And no, we can't help."
- A church pastor (after delivering a powerful sermon on helping others and gathering all 1st time comers into a circle) said, "Next."
Me: "What?"
"Uhm, I want to hear the next person's story."
- Another doctor in a different hospital said, "Let's operate."
WTF?
It took about 6 days to get him an emergency passport and on a plane home. It was challenging in oh so many ways, mostly trying to keep track of him and he disappeared 3x. Once on my watch and twice on the embassy's.
He made it home and was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia. Apparently the massive shift in environment triggered it as he hadn't previously exhibited any symptoms.
Disclaimer: I'm no saint. When presented with people who need help I've done my best.
One Friday morning many years ago, I finished my class and walked into the teacher's room in Bundang, S Korea.
Several teachers were there and having an animated conversation about someone who had come into the reception area in pajamas and tried to apply for a job.
Turns out he's African American, looked confused and wandered off. I wasn't as amused as my colleagues and stormed out of the building after quickly scolding them for not offering help to someone who was most likely experiencing psychosis.
I walked around the block and spotted him. He was 21-22 years old, 6'8" ish, indeed sporting pajamas and pacing on a relatively quiet stretch of sidewalk clearly talking to himself.
I approached him, got his first name and tried to get him to show me where he was staying. We ended up in the parking garage (that supported my school among other businesses) and it became evident that he'd spent the night in the cheap motel exactly one floor above my workplace.
Two large check-in bags and a small carry-on were sitting in the corner. The parking attendant said something about him being kicked out of the motel. The young man was clearly "lost" and I had no idea what to do at first, so I took him to my headshrinker (pill pusher) nearby and here's where I'll have to start briefing what transpired:
- My shrink said, "I don't do psychosis."
- Motel said, "We need $100. And he was here partying with two other foreigners. They went over time, couldn't pay and ditched him."
- Hospital said, "He's in trouble but we can't do anything."
When the hospital was checking him out, I ruffled through his bags. I found no passport in his belongings (but 1 copy), he'd arrived only days previously, appeared to have had a breakdown in route or shortly after arrival (journal), had had a job (korean sponsor) and had about $15 in cash, zero credit/debit cards.
- His Korean job/sponsor said, "no comment other than: keep him away from us."
- His parents (in Georgia) said, "We're at a loss, cannot really help. He was fine when he left. We're glad you're helping him."
- The embassy said, "Get him here before 5pm (impossible) or first thing Monday morning. Or,...get him arrested."
- The police station said, "Don't do that. And no, we can't help."
- A church pastor (after delivering a powerful sermon on helping others and gathering all 1st time comers into a circle) said, "Next."
Me: "What?"
"Uhm, I want to hear the next person's story."
- Another doctor in a different hospital said, "Let's operate."
WTF?
It took about 6 days to get him an emergency passport and on a plane home. It was challenging in oh so many ways, mostly trying to keep track of him and he disappeared 3x. Once on my watch and twice on the embassy's.
He made it home and was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia. Apparently the massive shift in environment triggered it as he hadn't previously exhibited any symptoms.
