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
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Getting the lowest mortgage rates in a high interest rate world
The challenges facing home buyers mean it's all the more important to do research and negotiate on rates, mortgage experts say, though they also caution that there's more to focus on than just what looks like the cheapest upfront option.