I am not a typical homeless person. I am educated, skilled and I have no addictions, etc. I'm also not living on the street, and am lucky to not have any health problems. But I think my story really can perhaps reveal how incredibly easy it can be for one to have the misfortune to end up in such situations.
My own experiences have opened my eyes to how abusive people can be, and perhaps this is a significant aspect of the stories of people who have failed to thrive. I don't know everyone's experience -- this is just mine.
Actually, I've often been afraid, or ashamed, to speak about the unfortunate circumstances of my life, and I've never known where to get help. I mentioned it here[1], recently on HN. The discussion there made me wonder if it is better for people like me to share their stories.
It's interesting that in the public conciousness, there is such a vocal push back against abuse, tyranny and even victim blaming. Of course it does still happen, even with consensus being against it. Most reasonable people do not appeal to living such a world, but there is an unfortunate hypocritical nature in humanity, where while people don't want to live in such a world, some of the same people are keen to take advantage, and in ways can be submissive to bullies and tyrants.
I wonder how many people there are out there with stories like mine, who have survived pscyhopathic aggression and extreme bullying, but with irreperable social or professional lives and nobody to fall back on.
I think history is full of examples of people who have been victim to such crazy, immoral things. And of course everyone says in retrospect, "if I had been there, I'd have done something."