I have been homeless from time to time throughout my adult years; however, I never had been to a homeless shelter. In Florida, somebody out of maliciousness called the staff and told them a whole bunch of lies and terrible things about me. Without consulting me, or looking into whether this was 'gossip' or untruths about me, somebody took that info and took a cell phone pic of me and posted it on the web. People all over were taunting me. I was in shock! I lost everything I owned- from personal documents to all clothing to leave the state. I went to the police who said they could not 'help' me- but knew of the 'allegations' and whatnots they heard/saw on the net. I have been refused service at Dr.s offices, hospitals, clinics, cabs, bus terminals, airports, hotels, motels ect. It has follwed me through 6 states. I will never fully recover for what this person or persons did to me. It will be a year since all that happened and it is still going on. Legally, I cannot do anything until I know who did this and where it was posted. I cannot go 'on' with my life cause everybody seems to know about 'me'-and don't know nothing at all. To be homeless for anyone is one thing- to be humiliated through 6 states is another. I can't even return to work or apply for subsidized housing. (I've tried.)
Social Services here was a horrible experience because of this- and did everything they could-not to help. I hope this never happens to anyone else. -Humiliated for life.

I am not sure what could have been posted about you that would cause such a severe reaction in people through six different states. That is quite a sad situation. How would all of these people find this information? Hospitals legally cannot refuse service to anyone... no matter what. I can't even imagine anything that could be posted about a person that could cause such a reaction with so many different resources. People can't just refuse service to you. How do they justify that and why would you let them? How did this cause you to lose all of your belongings? Were they stolen? If so, the police have to let you file a report. There are just certain reources that are simply not allowed to refuse service. I am at a loss... I can't imagine how one picture and a few words can devestate a persons life on so many levels... I hope you are able to find a resolve to the situation quickly. ~Debi~

Hospitals can refer you to another facility- which was done more than 3 times; I'am still being denied service everywhere. The police have been less than helpful. According to the 'names' I was and still am called, the pic taken of me told the world I was a pedophile, transvestite - which is a lie. The shelter 'kept' or threw away all my belongings. The info went from PC 2 Pc and my pic/allegations went from cell phone 2 cell phone. It spread like wild fire to so many people,
for every person who does not know about it -15 do. The local police had to do several background checks for me to be allowed to live in the development I share with a friend. I have a clean background. However, the residents of this complex have resented my being here and even though the office has 'notified' them that I have not done anything wrong- they positively hate me. I just had an awful experience with social services/ I'am disabled, on two separate dates witnesses saw and heard the case worker's talking about me like I was a dog. Dr's offices have been a nighmare to. Nearly a year and I cannot get a Dr. to 'see' me and have not had my meds for 11 months.
I have contacted the Attorney Generals office, Wasington D.C., and a long list of other 'providers' to no avail. Internet defamation is the most devastating 'new' legal matter on the table today; a Florida woman was awarded 11.5 mil because her x-boyfriend posted nude shots of her while she was in the shower. Another case is a lawyer in upscale Massachusetts, whose wife posted pics and a story about him. In 24 hrs, his was fired from the firm and excommunicated from the towne where he lived- he's now living in his car. In those cases the victims knew who did it to them, and true allegations. Mine is not.
YouTube, MySpace are two of the largest defamation sites. Currently, DNS are protected from libel due to legislation which is hearing more cases like mine. People are losing their reputations and in a public forum. A friend of a friend of mine is the VP for IBM. He had his research team look for six months trying to find this posting about me.
YouTube responded by acknowledging their site usually deletes postings after 18 minutes (but people save the info.) You have to bear in mind the WWW is global- and if you are defamed- your done unless you can prove otherwise. My life has been destroyed and so have others. For nearly a year I have lived without freedom. I cannot go out in public without recourse. A Social worker who lives near me has been trying to help and she's contacting our state senator. So far, nobody wants the 'finger' pointed at them as to where they 'heard'
or 'saw' this posted about me because that legally bounds them and their PC to a host of problems. - humiliated

Well, I am sorry for your pain. It sounds like a very extreme situation. I can't imagine how so many people in so many states can have seen this information, yet it is impossible for people to find it if they are actually looking for it. I have never had any experience with a situation like this and I really don't know what advice I could give. I hope you are able to find a way to fix what has happened. Debi

well thank you. At this point there is no where I can go to start all over and in peace. There is no place thanks to somebody's cruelty.

Having no place to go... I honestly don't believe that to be true. Are you homeless now? It does sound like you are in a very extreme situation right now, but if you are innocent of the things that have been said, you can rise above it. It is really hard for me to understand how something like this could happen to such an extreme. People post things online all of the time, but that does not make the information true and it certainly does not warrant the actions that have been taken against you, if that is how people have reacted. Did the homeless shelter send this information on? Is that why you can't find a place to stay? I can imagine that it can be difficult when you have no home and no stability, but where is this information being transmitted so easily. Why would hospitals, police departments, clinics, bus terminals, hotels and motels and so on... in six different states, have that information? Where did they get it? I know you said the "internet" but why and how would they even stumble upon it? What kind of a picture was taken? I can't imagine how a person can take a photo of another person and post some information online - totally destroying another person's life like that. If you have not been convicted of any crimes, then ignore it. Keep moving on until you find someone that does not know you or recognize you. It sounds like you have the ability to travel... having moved six states while homeless. I guess that is the only option I would see. Debi

This post was last modified: 10-02-2008 02:20 AM by ~Debi~.

Currently I'am not homeless- but sharing a place with a family friend;
People have/tried to assault me over the past 10 months. Since I have had a spinal fusion to begin with- I don't need another operation to deal with. I'am not happy where I'am and cannot move on because of this mess. You would be surprised at how much someone can help [you] -if they want- but more shocking is how damaging they can be if they don't want to. I've experienced both. I live in the latter part now. The pic taken cannot be any other type but a camera phone, and was taken in Florida. My arrival at an airport caused such disruption- I never did board. The police came and told everybody to leave me alone- well forget that- didn't happen. I can't even get social services to help me with housing. In one year I have been off this property 7 times. Complaints regarding me swamped the police switchboard- they are sick of it too. If there was a place to go- I'd be outta here tomorrow. Unfortunately that isn't going to happen.
What future employer wants to deal with this? NONE. You cannot move on with your life when the public won't let you. I've ran into closed doors in every sense of the word - since this happened. I don't have the luxury of going out to eat, or going in a store. It's that bad. People don't want to hear that I don't have a criminal record- they wanna believe the worst/lies about someone.

I am so glad you are not currently homeless, but sorry for all that you have had to go through. I hope you are able to find a way to work through the situation and find peace in your life. ~Debi~

after ten months of this neither the social worker or I see an end to this.

I know it is hard, and I can't imagine what you have gone through, but you really have to take your focus off of the negative and try to move past it. Don't expect that it is going to keep happening. Change your expectations. Be strong and don't give up. You can do it.