3/24/22 UPDATE: Lloyd can see! His surgery was a success. He is seeing at 20/50 in each eye and the doctor is expecting his eye sight to continue to improve. Our next step is to get him into rehab -- if that's what he desires. If not, you will see him back in his spot next week. Thank you for helping our friend!

ORIGINAL POST:
This is Lloyd.
He has been homeless in Austin since 2010.
Until 3 months ago he survived by panhandling on the corner; no medical care, no food stability, no hope of getting housed, simply because he was not tied into services.

Lloyd has cataracts that cover his eyes.
He is blind.
Lloyd wants to see.
He wants to work.
He wants to be out from under the bridge.
Lloyd wants to see so badly that he stopped drinking for the 2 days prior to his eye doctor's appointment and fasted the day before --- just in case.

With the help of a mutual friend he was brought to Maximizing Hope.
With the help of an advocate he was brought to the eye doctor.
With the help of God he will have successful surgery on both eyes (3/22/22).

In the past 3 months Maximizing Hope has been able to help him obtain medical care. He had not been to the doctor in more years than he could count, relying on hospitals for any injuries. We have begun re-establishing his identity; he hasn't had an ID for over a decade. We've secured sustainable food benefits, now he can buy food. We have gotten him on the housing lists, six years on the same downtown corner in Austin and not one agency has put him on the housing list, not one agency had fully engaged with him. And, we have identified avenues for income.
All of these things take time and, unfortunately, money.

Can you help us help him help himself?

This fund will be used for Eddie's hotel for the day prior to and week following surgery, and medical costs. The hotel is necessary to keep him clean and free of infection and to ensure his follow up care. If there are additional funds they will be used to assist him in stabilizing his life moving forward; identification, housing, and job training are the next priorities.

The miracles that have touched this man are simply that, miracles.
We look forward to the day when he can share his story with you.
Thank you for anything you are called to do, no gift is too small, no prayer unheard.

Help Us Help Him Help Himself

By Maximizing Hope

Help Us Help Him Help Himself

Lloyd Needs to See