Tom "Maddy Maddog" Madsen

Janell and I talked to two different groups of medical students today. One class at 9:00 am and the other class was at 12:30 pm We were treated to lunch at El Toritos and it was very delicious. Dr.Ellen Beck coordinated the two talks and calls us very special teachers. I am extremely privileged and blessed to know this incredible woman. My life has been enriched in so many ways by this friendship.

We teach the students about cultural differences and give them a view of life from the homeless perspective. Speaking to the students about real life experiences, as a homeless man on the streets for six years. I explain the circumstances that led to my situation that put me on the street. Every person has a story and sometimes life throws you a curve or deals you a rough hand beyond your control. Sometimes your own actions lead you to a place you don't expect and can't handle. Another lesson life teaches is that sometimes life shows you the way back home. It is through the grace of God we learn these lessons. It is up to us to use these lessons for our benefit or our destruction.

This is how my life circumstances led me to my volunteer work at the UCSD free clinic. I now have a sense of purpose again, my life has meaning, if only to myself. The clinic in Pacific Beach is held at the Pacific Beach United Methodist Church on Wednesday nights and is a source of pride for us because it fills a real need for the homeless and less fortunate in our community, many of whom I consider my friends.

Many of the homeless gather in groups and look out for each other just like a family. I was involved in a group known as the "Maddog crew". My nick-name is "Maddog" and the crew would vary in numbers from 3 or 4 to as many as 15 or 16 people. We were all living in Misson Bay park and we took care of each other, fed, and clothed each other. This was one way living on the streets was bearable. All of us had lost everything we had and had nothing left but our friends, a backpack, and a bed role to sleep on if you were lucky. Another hardship we faced every day was if the San Diego police find where you stash your few belongings they would take our things and throw them away. I have lost all my meager possessions a number of times, but thanks to my homeless friends I was always taken care of. Your "crew" or "family" would replace losses by giving up there own possessions, in that way we took care of each other.

I have been involed with the free clinic for four years now, three years as a volunteer and now I receive a small salary of $100 dollars a month. Thanks to Laurie Leonard and Mary Heron Sweet of The Welcome Door Foundation, a non-profit organization that understands the importance of this free clinic program, which includes a dental clinic and an acupuncture clinic running at the same time as the medical clinic on Wednesday nights. This project has been a source of strength for my recovery from drugs and alcohol. No longer do I feel the need to be medicated with drugs and alcohol. My self-esteem is back and I am no longer on the streets. Janell is my girlfriend and we have been together for two years now. She can see something happening in me and was instantly attacted to that. God bless her, she is my support system and I love her deeply.
The students seem very receptive to what we have to say and are always enthusiastic about the information we are giving them. It is important they see different views of the world they live in so they can bring some understanding along their journey becoming doctors and maybe not judge or look down on the homeless so harshly.

Sincerely,
Tom "Maddy Maddog" Madse

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