What Are Self-Advocates' Stories Worth?

If you want to know what it's like to be homeless, just ask someone who has experienced it. Someone who has waited in line for a shelter bed. Someone who has experienced the despair of spending their first night on the streets. Someone who has had to explain to their children that they would be spending the night in the family car. 

But ask yourself this: What, if anything, are these stories worth to you?

First-hand accounts of being without a home are invaluable to the movement to educate and advocate for the homeless. They shed light on the realities of the issue. They humanize the those who have experienced it. Sometimes, they create new advocates out of people who otherwise may not understand.

But, as several fellow homelessness bloggers ask this week, what should these stories be worth? Sadly, it can be tough to make ends meet even when you're off the streets and safely housed. What's more, formerly homeless individuals who become advocates by speaking publicly about their experience, be it through blogging or speaking engagements, are often tapped to speak about their experience, what may lead to a significant investment of time.

The anonymous author of the Homeless Family's Blog (I don't know the author, so we'll just say "he") says he receives many requests to speak about his experience being homeless. He wonders if it is reasonable to ask for compensation for his time, travel and presentation. It is, after all, based on years of experience.

Kevin Barbeaux (is also known as the Homeless Guy to those who follow his blog of the same name) brought up a similar point. He has spent years documenting his homelessness experiences in an informative and entertaining way. Why not, he asked, send along a couple bucks if you think his content is worth the same as a newspaper or magazine?

Both are fair points. Speaking and writing about one's experiences takes both guts and time. It would be easy for someone to forget about their homeless episode entirely and move on with their life. But those who write about it and talk about it are using their personal stories to try and improve things for the future. I think that's worth something.

Besides, during times like these, homelessness isn't really far from anyone's mind. But for those who have experienced it, the fear must never completely go away.