Profile of participant:
Name: Silas Elliott
Age: 27
Time spent homeless: 3 years
Current employment status: Unemployed
Has a love for pets
Date of Observation: March 3, 2017
Location: Weather Amnesty Shelter
Type of Observation: User + Interactive Interview
Themes:
1. Denial of drug addiction
Silas has used drugs since the age of 14. He has been to rehab twice, but continues to use drugs. He does not think of himself as an addict, but he was intoxicated at the time of the interview to the point where he was incoherent.
2. Spending the day on the corner
Silas says he spends most of his day standing on the corner asking for money. Sometimes he also looks for work and other ways to make money, but he is currently unemployed.
3. Lacking self-awareness
Silas described himself as “hard working” and “disciplined.” This seemed to contradict his behaviors of drug use and begging on the corner.
Memorable Quotes:
“I was not on the verge of ‘addicacy.’ I’m not an addict, not technically. I’m like half and half.”
“My mom thinks I’m an addict. But I know that I don’t have a problem. It’s been bad before, but right now, I’m not an addict.”
“During the day, I stand on the corner and ask for money.”
Card Sort Results:
Prompt
Sort into words that describe you & words that do not. Rank from best to least descriptive in each category.
Response
Words Silas believes describes him:
- Hard working
- Persistent
- Disciplined
- Independent
- Open minded
- Daring
- Resourceful
- Caring
- Outgoing
Words he does not believe describe him:
- Introverted/shy
- Stubborn
