After Years On Streets, Dying Tulsa Man Has Home Of His Own & New Outlook On Life

A dying man has a new outlook on life now after years of living on the streets and going in and out of prison.

He needs a new liver, doesn't have insurance, and couldn't make it on the streets anymore. His case manager said she knew after years of avoiding help, this man was finally ready to have a home of his own. 

It takes a special person to continue to believe in the goodness of people. That goodness might take months to come through; it might take years, but people like Haley Taylor believe that goodness exists in everyone.

Haley, a Mental Health Case Manager, and her coworkers at the Tulsa Day Center fight for clients to have moments like the one Tony Fletcher had Friday.

"I have never had a place that was my own - ever. Ever. This is the first one," said Fletcher. 

Fletcher has lived a colorful life.

"Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was out here on the streets at 12 years old," said Fletcher. 

Fletcher spent decades in and out of prison, then living on the streets when he wasn't behind bars. In 2016, he met his mental health case manager, Taylor. She helped when she could, but Fletcher kept pushing help away.

"He was very honest. He never lied to me about anything. It was very discouraging, but I knew he wasn't ready, he knew he wasn't ready. We talked about it, we just worked on other stuff," said Taylor. 

Fletcher came to Taylor this year a different man, something had changed. 

"He came to me this year and said, 'I am ready. I am done. I am dying,'" said Taylor. 

"I have been smacked with reality that I can't do it anymore and I am dying," said Fletcher. 

He needs a new liver and he doesn't have insurance.

"When he told me he was ready, I knew he was ready," said Taylor. “The barriers can be overcome if you work together as a team."

They got him a house, and Fletcher got to walk into a place of his own for the very first time.

"I believe everybody gets a second chance in life, sometimes a third chance and a fourth chance, whatever it takes. They know when they are ready," said Taylor. 

"You do have a chance. You do have a choice and you can survive," said Fletcher.

To support the Tulsa Day Center, you can donate here.