Martin Decker was born in the UK. He used to be a diving instructor in the navy. This is his story in his own words.
What is your name, age and birthplace?
Um, like, birthplaces in London, and a place called Rotherwick, and I'm born in, like, 1965. Yeah, and, um, my name is Martin Decker. Good morning. Good afternoon.
Can you tell me a bit about your life before you experienced homelessness and what a normal day looked like then?
I had a good life. I was the First Lieutenant of the Marine diving instructor in this Navy until I sold firearms and went to jail for 22 and a half years.
What led you to where you are now and were there particular moments that changed the direction of your life?
Well, you know, sometimes I find the Lord in my life, and, like, sometimes I, like, lose my religion, because, like, you don't know what it's like when my lifestyle. Your lifestyle in my lifestyle is different. I sleep on this hard cement, you sleep in, like, like a mattress.
What do you wish people understood better about being homeless?
It's not a crime to be fucking homeless, hey. It's like a circumstance that you go through, and you cant uplift yourself, because people aren't willing to do it for you, like, you know, I mean, if you want to help somebody, fucking lift him up, fucking don't like coming here with 2 Rand, or 20 Rand then fuck off.
What helps you get through difficult days and where do you find strength or support?
Well, obviously, from the Lord, and like, you know, there's some days that I'm so fucking depressed, and the only person that picks me up is my fucking self. The only person that picks me up is my fucking self. I've been through this mental things, I've read so many books about how you do this, how you do that. I'm like, let me tell you something fucking straight away buddy. In the morning, when I'm sitting here depressed and I haven't got a fucking 2 Rand or fucking half a loaf of bread or fuck all. Huh? Let me tell you. I lift myself from there. Nobody helps me. I've gotto do it. They can talk shit to somebody else.
I'd like to be on a double bed, so I can don't even move. I can just watch TV and go anywhere.
If you could change one thing about how society responds to homelessness, what would it be?
You know, that's a dilemma, because, like, some people have, like, different attitude s about what they want to do, and how they would like to actually help. But, like, as I said to you, if you'd, like, really like to help, like, you know, like, it's... there, like, like, you only hear on Earth for the grace of God, and it's only him that also for help also, like, y ou know, when I got nobody to hear. You must listen to that. Read Matthew 17, yeah.
Where would you like to be now if you could?
Um, gee wiz thats like, a difficult question, like, you know, like, like, we'll be back in London. I'd like to be on a double bed, so I can don't even move. I can just watch TV and go anywhere. If I was going anywhere it would be to have a piss. I'm not moving. (laughs)
