Struggle on the streets: Brian's story of survival
On an empty lot in a retail section of west London, Ont. lives a man trying to escape homelessness. His name is Brian McManus.
He is 50 years old and has been living on the streets for four years.
“I just can’t believe this has happened to me,” he tells CTV News London.
For the past 14 months, McManus has lived in a makeshift shack, which he has lined with plastic in the hopes of keeping warm during the current deep freeze.
“Keeping it sealed is a difficult thing, but it is working," he says.
That includes the extreme cold of the past many nights.
His 74-year-old mother, Barb Jones, also of London, is desperate to help her "boy" find an apartment.
“Once a mother, always a mother,” she says.
Jones contacted CTV News London hoping the public would hear his story. Through tears, she explained why.
“It just breaks my heart he’s out here, and I can’t do anymore.”
She says agencies have either failed her son or failed to adapt to his mental health.
Barb Jones, the mother of Brian McManus, speaks in London, Ont. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
For his part, McManus blames a deteriorating relationship and past troubles for his homelessness.
Both he and his mother say he beat a drug addiction years ago.
“I don’t do none of that. I don’t steal. I don’t do drugs,” he exclaims.
The extreme cold has taken a toll. He says he can no longer feel his fingertips and struggles to keep his hands and body warm.
Like most experiencing homelessness, McManus’s winter wear is often stolen, as his gloves were the night before he spoke with CTV News London.
“It’s like the 'Bank of Brian' I used to say, when you leave, you’ve got to expect you’re going to lose it.”
Thankfully, those working for businesses in the area are generous. One local shop owner just bought him a new winter coat. In return, McManus says he picks up all the garbage he sees in the area.
Like others who live on the streets, he could turn to shelters to stay warm.
But he says it is not an option that works for his independent personality and previous history.
Jones says she used to push him to go, but has since backed off. She worries her son could find himself back in the wrong crowd.
But the longer he stays on the streets, the harder it is to survive the cold and resist the temptation - McManus says - to take things to stay warm.
“It’s so expensive to be homeless and be legal, people don’t understand that.”
So with apartment rentals skyrocketing out of reach and geared-to-income locations hard to obtain, what options are left?
Jones, herself on a fixed income, is at a loss as she lives in a one-bedroom seniors' apartment. Meanwhile, her heartache grows.
“I’m at my limit and I can’t help him. He needs a roof over his head, a home, a basement apartment, a garage, anything. He needs help!”
And this “always a mom” is pointing fingers at London's leaders in an emotional plea.
“There is money in this city, millions of dollars, but they forget about the underdog people!”
And as McManus looks to find a way to stay warm, for yet another night, he says his mom's assessment is spot on.
“We get the last of the line, and others have an advantage over us. I find that difficult.”
And lonely.
He says he is searching for a way “off his island” to a simple paradise with a roof and a warm bed.
“I feel like that movie Castaway. I get caught talking to myself in despair. I just can’t believe it.”
If you’d like to offer help or words of kindness, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Australian police arrest 7 alleged teen extremists linked to stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church
Australian police arrested seven teenagers accused of following a violent extremist ideology in raids across Sydney on Wednesday, as a judge extended a ban on social media platform X sharing video of a knife attack on a bishop that started the criminal investigation.