Fighting to Live

Terry Hotaling often says he’s like a cat with nine lives. He’s survived cancer, drug addiction, a heart attack and even being hit by a car. “I have a lot of fight in me,” he says. 

Terry grew up near the Missouri Ozarks and moved to Iowa to work in construction. After decades of physical labor damaged his joints, he was forced to retire and apply for Supplemental Security Income. But with this limited salary, Terry soon fell behind on child support payments for his four kids. 

“For the amount of money I had at the time, 50% of it went to child support,” Terry explains. “I went to the judge, and I said, ‘How can I make it on this salary?’ And the judge said, ‘Well I guess you’ll have to get two jobs.’ I could barely walk.” 

In his financial situation, Terry could no longer make rent for his trailer. He started sleeping in the courtyard of St. John’s Lutheran Church in downtown Des Moines. Each morning, Terry rode the bus to Central Iowa Shelter and Services to shower before heading to whatever job he could get through a temp agency. He learned about Joppa and received help in the form of food and a propane heater. 

After three years of homelessness, Terry was able to move into an apartment through the Anawim Housing program. But while he was happy to be off the streets, Terry struggled with addiction. “I was stuck,” Terry explains. “I was using drugs and couldn’t get ahead.” That’s when he received a wake-up call: stage-four esophageal cancer. “God was telling me, ‘This is your last rodeo. Either stop using drugs, or I’m going to make you stop.’” 

Terry listened to the warning and decided to battle hard against his cancer and addiction. With assistance from the American Cancer Society, he began a treatment program at the University of Iowa. The chemotherapy was brutal, but Terry never lost faith. “I was going to fight to my last breath,” he says. 

During his treatment, Joppa assisted with Terry’s rent and connected him with a Circle of Friends through St. Boniface Church to help with errands, groceries and transportation to doctor appointments. After six months, his cancer went into remission, giving Terry yet another chance at life. “I’m very thankful for the people in my life and for Joppa,” he says, with tears in his eyes. “I couldn’t have done it without them.” 

In February 2020, Terry qualified for HUD Senior Housing and moved into an apartment in West Des Moines. He obtained his driver’s license for the first time in 14 years and saved enough money to purchase a car. Joppa continues to support Terry through the Aftercare program, and he even volunteers with Joppa outreach teams to help others experiencing homelessness. 

“I think the lesson is ‘better late than never,’” Terry says, sitting in his recliner and looking around his apartment. “I’m now three years clean, I have a nice place to live. I’m happy to be here today.”