Full Story and Update about Sox Family Member and Friend Luis. Written by “Blue”

Two weeks ago, we almost lost Luis.

Luis is one of our regulars. He’s here every day with his big smile and his personality that just fills the place. He’s been coming to Sox Place for about 2 1/2 years, ever since he got to the United States. Recently, he started getting into substances he shouldn’t have.

People don’t really talk about why someone uses. A lot of the time it’s because they don’t feel loved. When you’re on the streets, mentally drained, and everyone around you is using, you end up following what’s around you.

On the morning of March 12th, I got to work and saw something I never wanted to see. Luis was laying there, not breathing, and I couldn’t find a pulse. I panicked, but jumped in. I threw my keys to my coworker and told him to grab narcan while me and another person started CPR.

We gave narcan three times. Nothing was working. Not the narcan. Not the CPR. I was crying, thinking this was it. He can’t die like this. Not here. Not in a country that isn’t even his home. My mind was racing while we were trying to save his life.

Then paramedics showed up. And after what felt like forever, Luis took a breath and moved his arm a little. We stopped for a second and just looked at him. Maybe he’s going to be okay.

They took him to the hospital. Later we found out he was in the ICU, sedated, not able to breathe on his own. He wasn’t doing well. That day was heavy for all of us.

I went to the hospital after work. I had to see him. He was hooked up to machines, tubes everywhere. I grabbed his hand and started talking to him. Praying. Asking God to help him pull through. And he squeezed my hand.

Luis stayed in the hospital for a week. Each day he got a little better.

He’s out now. He’s doing well. He’s grateful.

God gave him another chance, and he knows it.

Sometimes people just need love. They need to know someone cares about them. What we do at Sox Place isn’t just food or socks or hygiene. It’s loving people. It’s being there for them when everyone else looks past them.

Luis is still here.

Thanks for reading,

Kaili “Blue” Bunn
Rock Star Staff Member, Sox Place

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