Joe was considered one of the top Cryptologists in the Navy during the first Persian Gulf War, while stationed on the U.S.S. Fox (CG-33). Unfortunately, after the Gulf War, his ship was decommissioned and he was sent to the U.S.S. Elliot (DD-967), where he endured almost 9 months of extreme harassment from the Executive Officer, the Operations Officer and the Chief-Master-At-Arms (his direct supervisor), because of jealousy (yeah … he was that good).
Joe was being harassed, because they found out that he was dating a girl from Tijuana and he had a Top Secret Security Clearance. They didn’t have anything else on him and that was what they used against him.
On Joe’s 21’st birthday, he was ordered in the Executive Officer’s (XO) stateroom where he stood in front of the XO, the Operations Officer and the Chief-Master-At-Arms. Without cause and without any explanation, his security clearance was revoked and Joe lost his job … he was now considered undesignated.
Joe felt as if his future had been stolen from him. He left to Tijuana for 28 days, returned to the ship to face Captain’s Mast, completed his time in the Navy and wanted nothing more to do with the Navy (His goal was to do 20 Years).
Joe turned to drugs and alcohol (while enlisted) and after being honorably discharged, he ended up on the streets of San Diego, CA for 10 days with no food, water or shelter, except for 10 ramen noodle packets and a cup for hot water after getting kicked out from his friend’s house (his mom found out Joe was staying there and didn’t want him there … she was paying the rent). He had no place to go, but the streets of downtown San Diego.
Even though Joe had experienced homelessness, he refused to remain homeless.
Last thing Joe ever imagined was becoming homeless for a second time.
Everything started after Joe was forced to take the COVID vaccine in order to continue operating his limo business. He started experiencing issues with his health, which ultimately started affecting his ability to walk. Chronic pain, daily migraines, abdominal issues and many more issues started to surface.
In addition to Joe’s health, Joe’s wife, Olivia, was battling Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). While they were both in Colorado, Olivia had tried numerous times to qualify for Medicaid (she couldn’t work due to her health and from dealing with daily Chronic Kidney pain and on most days, nausea and vomiting.
Both Joe and Olivia had to make a drastic move and had to move to Las Vegas in order to try and obtain medical care for Olivia. While in Las Vegas, Joe tried working as a ride-share driver and even was offered a job with the Las Vegas Loop, but couldn’t start due to his illness … he has been hospitalized 6 times in the last year (minimum has been 4 nights and the most has been 10) due to his illness. He takes over 20 different prescribed medications daily.
After moving to Las Vegas, they quickly ran out of money and were living in the car (they no longer have a car) for a few months until they were able to get into transitional housing for homeless vets in November of 2024. He has already been hospitalized 3 times since living in transitional housing and averages between 10-20 doctor’s appointments per month.
In short, both Joe and Olivia did not choose to become homeless … Circumstances and life happened, but they both remain positive and Joe continues utilizing comedy to cope.
