'I feel good:' After years spent living on the side of I-5 in Portland, a disabled woman gets a home

It's a heartbreaking story that caught the attention of many KATU viewers and raised questions about how a community can help someone who needs it - but refuses to accept services.
Vicky Smith had been homeless for 10 years. When KATU's Angelica Thornton found her she was living on the state of Interstate 5.
Smith's camp, perched on a hillside above an on-ramp, was in a dangerous spot, especially for someone who needs a wheelchair to get around. But she told us she'd lived there for five or six years. Horrified drivers would often watch as Vicky army-crawled around piles of trash and waste, collecting cans to turn in for change. She had lost a foot after a bone infection.
Angelica has been keeping tabs on her since our first story aired last summer and contacted everyone possible to try to find Vicky help.
FULL STORY | tinyurl.com/4x...
_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:
KATU on Facebook: / katunews
KATU on Twitter: / katunews
Subscribe to KATU on KZbin: / @katunews
Daily News Playlist: • KATU Daily News Playlist
For more information, visit katu.com/
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: [e-mail]
Call the Newsroom: 503.231.4222
KATU is a OR based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.
#KATU #Katu2abc #Portland #feelgood #GOODNEWS #homeless #homelessness #outreach #community #reporter #oregon #Portland #tinyhome #services #northportland #neighbors

[@thomaskelly2430]

So glad she finally received some help.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Let's see if it lasts . I know. Im the worst person ever. Actually, just real..I am not eternally naive like most of you . I hope she gets clean

[@BillDownhill]

Temporary housing at a shelter. She'll be back on the street in no time. Shelters are just at-will prisons. The only reason people stay there is to avoid jail. Do you think it's better than nothing? It's not. I've been homeless for 6 years. You couldn't pay me to stay at a shelter.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

Just look at hobo bills comment ? No one stays because they can't use drugs the end

[@BillDownhill]

@@terenceflanagan1225 I've been homeless for 6 years and I don't do drugs. You couldn't pay me to stay in one of these places.

[@user-ze8it1gp8y]

She turned down the things available in the first place. She keeps making bad choices. Probably trying to help her idiot son.

[@americanwoman6246]

Look at the smile on that guy's face ..the one with the beard. That's a real hero.

[@BillDownhill]

Of course he's got a smile on his face. He has another person to make money off of at his shelter. The real heroes would shut down all the shelters and give that money to her, so she can get her own permanent condo. They already waste more than enough in homeless aid to do it. Instead, the owners and employees of that shelter get the money that belongs to her.

[@terenceflanagan1225]

🤣

[@carolbrownleehalbert3593]

PORTLAND is now inundated with frug addicts living and dropping to the pavement when they pass out. So happy she and her son have housing instead of homeless.

[@vb9268]

​@@BillDownhillshe's suffering from mental illness. Giving her a home would be akin to giving a cat a Maserati. She's in no position to maintain it.

[@buckrein5284]

​@@BillDownhillConsider, getting involved with those emotions that you allow yourself to control the actions that you make. I'm learning how myself, and it's drastically changing my life for the better.

[@ashtonstout7375]

Thank you for not giving up on Vicky.

[@christinemeyers8184]

I'm so glad Vickie is off the streets and she's willing to stay off the streets.

[@precious5663]

Glad she finally accepted assistance.

[@Starfish2145]

“Refused services “ that’s the problem. They need to bring back mental institutions.

[@user-gh4yh3tz9m]

Vicky refused to go to a shelter where she would have to figure out where to go by day. Or kicked back out in 90 days. She just wanted to stay in her "spot" not a temporary spot. So anyways. I'm happy for her. And I do agree there does need to be mental institutions

[@slarson231]

The vilest part? It took 6 years to help a lady in a wheelchair. I'm so glad she's okay.❤

[@nowhereman7398]

This story is a tear jerker. My daughter is having the same issues.

[@saythankyou111]

Same 🕊

[@Fayw2023]

The u should help her

[@ginadelsasso288]

Is she homeless and refusing help from you?

[@denisethorbjornsen7493]

God bless those that help Vicky get a home

[@nealmiller4801]

It's great to see this kinda of news. Blessings to Vicky.

[@d12tu68]

make sure she stays with a home 👍👍keep having good hearts

[@jdstep97]

Not if she wants to leave. It's up to her, and she may not want help.

[@paula...sister1of12]

I wish the best for Vicky and her son. I have worked with people who suffer from addiction and homelessness. Some feel like they don’t belong anywhere and have given up on life. Hope they both can accept the help and stay long enough too realize that they matter and find a new normal.

[@gloriaarmstrong999]

Thankyou sooo much for helping this lady. Living outside disabled, she needed help...Had to be sooo hard for her. Bless you all for helping this Dusabled Lady...

[@robertafierro5592]

Ms. Vicky is one Strong Lady. God has finally Blessed her. God is Good. Keep on fighting Vicky and Sam!❤

[@MsAchampion]

Six years? 😢 🙏🏾 I'm hurt that it took that long for her to receive help, however thank god that she's ok now. 😊 ❤

[@jdstep97]

It did NOT take that long. She did not want help. You can't force help people.

[@MsAchampion]

@@jdstep97 Your right. 😔

[@Victoria-OneLove4AllPeople]

Thank You Jesus ♥️

[@jeanettecoleman-mz7ie]

What a SURVIVOR

[@wendyalexander1893]

God bless these wonderful, selfless people.

[@susanreed8186]

So happy for her,ive been homeless it's tough,glad she is safe now

[@Carolina-ux1sz]

Thank you so much for helping - a lot of people dont realise that a lot of homeless refuse help and cant be forced. Good luck to Vicky.❤

[@beng4647]

That is the most disgusting lie of all time. You people really are sociopaths.

[@youwish378]

I am so thankful for the people who felt the need to go help her and go back to help her again I'm crying oh my gosh Thank you for your services and for saving her !

[@ev500sam]

Yay! I remember her story, and I am so happy for Vickie. I pray that she stays 🙏🏻🙏🏻😋🤗

[@jennagle5554]

Solution: people with drug addiction are brought to rehabs, people with mental health issues are brought to institutions, people with financial setbacks are brought to housing. Each issue is a separate issue, a separate reason for homelessness.

[@t.h.8475]

The problem is that you can't force people into rehab. They have to be willing to go. We also don't have large mental institutions anymore to help with mental health issues.

[@ginadelsasso288]

I wish it were this easy.... I am glad we live in a free country but some people take it a little too far. 10 years is way too long to be homeless!

[@amyfu2047]

I know a lot of homeless people refuse help, but you really can’t blame them when they deal with people taking advantage of them or they have been hurt or lied to so many times they don’t trust. Speaking as a person with major trust issues and past trauma, sometimes it is more comfortable to stick with what you know, even if it’s absolutely miserable, than take a chance on something or someone else. Change can be very scary.

[@righteousbyfaithinChrist]

Wonderful collaboration and commendable...👏 Praying for Vicki and son. Everyone is doing an amazing job. God jless.

[@virgilpalmer2427]

Thank you for helping her.

[@mpat100]

Blessings and good luck for her

[@SeanA.Skeete-wd4vi]

"Mental Health and addiction Association are most important words in this story😊.

[@catherinesmith791]

Thank You for helping her!!

[@sookie4195]

She didn’t need to live that way, especially being disabled. Likely didn’t want to give up drugs.

[@DotMcFarlane]

Not all homeless people are drug addicts.

[@craftmom5302]

I'm clear in Iowa but when I saw this story I started praying for Vicky I have been homeless myself only I had a child and a dog with me at the time so it was a little bit more of a kick in the butt to get us out of homelessness it took a while but here we are just purchased my first home but I'm so glad that Vicky is in a little home and could possibly be getting a studio apartment soon that makes my heart happy to know she's finally getting help and she's finally starting to trust the help she's getting that's the important part people don't realize that homeless people don't trust anybody because they've been trained to not trust anybody because the way people are treated them if you want to help the homeless population you need to gain their trust first you need to show them that you're not there to hurt them or take advantage of them

[@d12tu68]

👍👍cool your helping her good hearts

[@lovelight6973]

Wow. This is awesome. Love the collaboration together.

[@NELLIE-41388]

Bless Portland authorities who NOW are sbowing compassion for those in despair & need

[@ilsavankuren6511]

God bless those helping Vickie, I hope she continues to accept their help.

[@BrianHassanBadi]

Thank goodness. So very grateful for good people.

[@louisetringham5830]

What a blessing

[@kathydavenport4422]

Bless her heart. I bet she one of the nicest people ever.

[@sophiaduarte745]

❤ That's great news about Vickie. I hope she stays there.

[@daisi4925]

I’m so glad she finally got a place to live! I remember her story

[@adoptacat2877]

To be fair they offered her help many times and she turned them down. Only when she lost her leg she finally accepted help.

[@nsanejane7713]

& that’s her right most ppl don’t accept help until they are ready kinda like dealing with addicts who aren’t ready to get clean maybe she needed that to happen to realize that’s not a life to live with 2 legs let alone 1.

[@tommas2674]

yes, she WAS JUST NOT a box checker! white women bottom of that pole. I know, "you don't need" WHAT YOU WORKED FOR WERE WORKING TOWARDS!!!! wow, they go after your smile and legs. hard to take crumbs from people who steal from you.

[@tommas2674]

@@nsanejane7713 you do realize OUR perverts that are praised offer them drugs in dinner, etc. to take advantage...

[@tshaffer9681]

Thank you.

[@Sl20]

1:08 10 years 0:20 and 6 years well which is the reality of this history!!!!but glad that she is doing great!!!!🫢🔴🤫

[@jerrilynhenson9024]

🙏🙏🙏 prayers that she gets the mindset to stay away from the streets this time.

[@vickipalladeno5334]

Thank God for people who can help!

[@user-mu3xk7ie2t]

Vicky, you are loved 😍

[@kelseyjowest9974]

God bless you, Vickie ❤ I’m praying for you, sweetheart ❤

[@animallover4ever229]

I am glad she found help, it is sad how some agencies just think nothing of just leaving people in these conditions. God Bless those that helped her!

[@Battlekitte]

Vicky is one tough lady. Hope she can find inner strength to accept help and stay off the streets. America needs to do better for vulnerable people

[@goodcommunitylife]

I am so happy that Vickey finally got help! Does she have any family that lives nearby?

[@anntunaley9974]

She has her son who was living on the streets with her and he’s also being housed next to her so she’s not alone

[@goodcommunitylife]

@@anntunaley9974 I also hope that her son is okay as well.

[@heathercloete7450]

What a wonderful group of people helping others.

[@Joce123]

Thank heavens

[@johnellis3309]

❤

[@DavidLee-qd7fw]

Someone get her a better modern ultra lite wheelchair .

[@MilesCobbett]

I remember in an old video somebody stole her old chair

[@justmestephanie1269]

I’m glad someone finally helped Vicky 😊

[@lindamarie6574]

Wonderful!

[@colleenhoughton2547]

God bless!! Hopefully vicki will feel like a queen! ❤

[@Coffee240]

❤❤❤, great job, 👍 great people, kind hearts, hope she stays.

[@user-oi6hm5ke2n]

God Bless y'all

[@d12tu68]

good jobs 👍👍👍👍good hearts

[@lindablackmore5882]

Sadly, there are many people who are on the streets by choice. Argue all you want but it’s a fact. If the true reasons were recorded and counted, true reasons would be known.

[@elisaangel1859]

Its about time there helping more and more people off the street- Hope Vicky and her son sam stays and gets all the help they need.❤

[@susieadams3305]

This breaks my heart OMG she only in her 60/s being homeless made her age badly

[@SweetUniverse]

One of my beloved uncles was homeless & an alcoholic his whole life. He also rode the rails during the time a serial killer was at large. He didn't want to settle down & move in with any of his family. He died of natural causes at 80 yrs old. When someone is a street person they usually don't live that long. It's scary to have a loved one living on the streets & refusing housing.

[@SonyaJohnson-oz4mt]

Amen

[@paulasatturo9626]

God is good!

[@d12tu68]

so nice good hearts 👍🩵💜🩵💜🩵💜🩵💜good people

[@fun----]

So many homeless. Heartbreaking. Thank you for saving this lady.

[@tiney24girl]

so sad seeing are people on the streets America people😢people who work had for America 😢❤fix America again ❤

[@cannagrama]

TY ❤

[@user-ze8it1gp8y]

First of all, why is she not getting SSDI. She refused help, which is why she is on the street. She made that choice.

[@MilesCobbett]

Really? Have you priced an apt?

[@msmoe8687]

IF you are able to get on a list for housing, it takes 3 to 5 years to get to the top of the list.

[@susieadams3305]

Theye need too change the law and take theses poor helpless people's too a shelter

[@lindarackstraw7711]

Im bothered that it’s an emergency shelter. She could be on the road again. She needs permanent housing

[@Iheartcatz]

I wish Phoenix AZ had these services for some of the homeless here. We have many on the streets with severe health issues that could use these services.

[@beng4647]

Just a propaganda piece darling.

[@sueannpeters4737]

Good report. Coordination is key😮 with all the agencies

[@fredachildress3728]

The people who have the wealth could help by building communities where the homeless could live and feel safe, even get help to find jobs. Look at it this way folks, one of these days everybody who thinks the homeless really like being this way, could end up being in that same situation, so it would be in people's best interest to help others less fortunate.

[@mylamberfeeties875]

Disability insurance and her monthly disability checks hopefully will keep her fed and medical care.

[@SweetUniverse]

The way she lived for 6 years is so wrong in one of the world's wealthiest countries

[@sandasturner9529]

Wonderful 😊 story. Forgot to mention the video mentioned, "temporary housing" Why doesn't she have permanent housing,?!?!?!?! 😡

[@celiashort6246]

10 years. Really. Darn shame that is

[@bloodyhands]

Them saying she refused help is insane. There isn't much help. I know I call all the time and the programs are always full, out of money or you need to be dying to get help. Even then you sometimes have to wait ten years to be put on a housing list. I want all of you that think 211 will help in emergencies to call right now and see what is available in your county.

[@MH_Prof]

Pray that she stays in the housing. Mental health is an important factor in homelessness.

[@shannonnewman3091]

That's some good News !

[@user-en2ne6lj9i]

No elders should live this way 😢

[@tammiebroggins]

I was homeless I made it one year and two months. On my own in a house. It didn't stick. I'm homeless again!

[@elena-lc4uk]

Why do some people reject help?😊

[@tammiebroggins]

@elena-lc4uk what are you talking about? My landlady wouldn't fix anything. Kept disrespecting me because I used to be homeless. I worked my a.. off and got me a bus. I'm grateful for any help . But I also work hard!

[@SimplyCassandra1]

❤😊

[@user-zm4qd4yr3t]

Homelessness is a Natural embarrassment 😡

[@tiney24girl]

they need to get people off the streets

[@royharper2003]

how many homeless do you let live with you?

[@jdstep97]

Some prefer to stay on the streets. Not everyone wants a home.

[@ruthokelley5833]

At least the tiny houses are safer and a person can be more organized. We should have more of these facilities up and running…surly there are enough people to keep and eye on this arrangement so that people are respected but also with proper guidance to develop better habits? I realize that it is precarious and emotionally taxing working with a chronic homeless person. But people living on the street hurts all of us… 🍀🍀🍀

[@moa3008]

That 61 one year old woman should receive some job training to earn money for herself if it’s possible.

[@sandyallen1523]

But for the grace of God goes I

[@shellyg8617]

Why are these people given the option to live on the side of a freeway? "Living here is not acceptable, we need to move you." Sometimes these people need protection from themselves.

[@unpopularopinion9831]

Why didnt she go into assisted living at 62 or when declared disabled? Everything and I mean everything is paid for...

[@dalefutrelle1441]

So why did she refuse help from these services in the beginning? These reporters are not asking the right questions. smh

[@PiggyFuktoy]

As a disabled 68-year-old who was homeless in my car for almost 3 years, now in subsidized senior housing, I'm so happy to see that this woman was housed

[@bigbadbubba099]

This situation is a national shame . We need to build housing and relax invasive rules, and step up safety enforcement for residents. 😢

[@raija8612]

Tiny House is better than no house. But can she use the wheelchair in it?

[@d12tu68]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@georgina979]

Glad she was helped but there are MANY MANY more that need help. Billions given to solve homelessness being wasted by politicians and they leave people homeless...