Case study of Milton, “the Cowboy”

Abstract

There is a paucity of research on the issue of homelessness and dying. Also limited is research on love and intimacy in therapeutic encounters, particularly in relation to those who are dying. This case study documents one social worker's five‐month journey with a “homeless” man dying of lung cancer. It describes a unique therapeutic relationship, one whose landscape included traversing issues of ethics, personal and professional boundaries, and burnout. The complexity of this case study is a reminder of the uniqueness of each human being, the impact of poverty and race in the experience of dying, and the opportunity for personal growth that emerges in tackling the most challenging cases.

Notes

I would like to thank my parents for their support, my team for their encouragement, Stan who helped me to be brave again, and of course Milton for allowing me to tell his story.