Disabled homeless man set afire after being turned away from shelter

Douglas Dawson, a homeless man, was set afire while sleeping in his wheelchair in downtown Spokane, Washington, and died from his burn injuries last week. Many believed he was a disabled veteran who lost his leg in combat. While that's apparently not true, there is a detail of this tragedy that no one is talking about. Here are two articles remembering the man. But here is a press release from the campaign of the Congressional candidate whose headquarters he was sleeping near. (I've bolded the pertinent information halfway down.):

Homeless Veteran Attacked Outside Campaign Office
Had Been Fed by Campaign Staff
For Immediate >Release:
Contact: Jeremiah Levine (323) 842-1099
June 23, 2006, Spokane, WA
Jeremiah@Votepetergoldmark.com

One legged, homeless veteran Douglas Dawson was lighted aflame by two delinquents this afternoon. Dawson had been sleeping near the campaign headquarters of Peter Goldmark, candidate for Congress from the Fifth District, which includes Spokane. Dawson was sleeping outside the headquarters because the previous evening he was given food, water, and blankets by Goldmark Campaign Manager Jeremiah Levine.

"My staff did the right thing," said Goldmark, "Jeremiah acted selflessly."

After finding Dawson across the street from campaign headquarters, Levine pushed Dawson's wheelchair to the headquarters building, fed him, and gave him blankets. Levine called six shelters in Spokane, and none would help Dawson: five were closed, and the Union Gospel Mission refused. The Mission argued that a disabled person would not be able to perform the chores required of all who sleep at the Mission. The Spokane Veterans Hospital was also not available to treat Dawson.

"This points out that there is not enough care for veterans. We must take better care of our veterans, and better care of our homeless community," said Goldmark.

Levine first met Dawson at 9:45 PM Thursday night. Goldmark had just driven Levine to campaign headquarters when Levine noticed Dawson looking distressed in his wheelchair. When Levine asked Mr. Dawson if he was okay, Dawson explained that he was a homeless veteran who had just been discharged from Deaconess Hospital. Dawson complained that he was out of money, was hungry, and had no place to sleep. Levine provided a meal of baked beans and barbecued beef, as well as blankets from the campaign office.

Once fed, Dawson again complained that he had nowhere to sleep. Levine telephoned the six homeless shelters and was unable to find Dawson a bed. At that point, formerly homeless Goldmark volunteer Dave Bilsland helped Dawson from the sidewalk to grassy area on the north side of the campaign office. Dawson slept there until this afternoon. Goldmark staff continued feeding him. At approximately
12:30 this afternoon, volunteer Ed Meadows charged into the campaign office shouting that a man lying next to the building had been terribly burned, and that the lawn was aflame. One staffer called 911 while volunteers Bilsland and Meadows used a garden hose to put out the fire.

According to MSNBC, police have apprehended two young men who confessed to having set Dawson on fire. In honor of Douglas Dawson, Dr. Goldmark will host a free dinner for homeless people at Goldmark Campaign headquarters this Tuesday evening at 6 PM. The office is at 151 South Washington.

This happens at domestic violence shelters too. Frequently, they're not accessible, but even when they are, staff can be reluctant to admit disabled women because of the house rules that everyone do certain chores. (Nevermind that it's an assumption that a person with impairments can't find some way to contribute.)

My point: If you are disabled, social services designed to aid the homeless or domestic violence victims may very likely turn you away because you are disabled. Other than the above press release, no other news source I can find has mentioned this aspect of the story. Not local news stations, not The Associated Press, not Daily Kos. Why? Because even when the disabled themselves are talked about, disability is invisible.

Thanks to my friend at Gray Goose Watch for giving me the heads up to Dawson's story.