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Beggar - is he for real?

  • 14-01-2009 1:05pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,348 ✭✭✭


    I was in town yesterday and happen to see, what seemed at first sight, a poor misfortunate man who had his legs, from the knee down, bent forward in front of him. He was shuffling up mainguard street and begging as he went. I am still not sure if he is for real or not as you don't like to stare in case he is actually so badly handicapped. Just wondered if anyone else has seen him. If the man is genuine, then god help the poor man, but if he is a fake and scamming people out of money then he needs to be arrested.


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,219 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Yeah I just read about him in the strange characters of Galway thread


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,790 ✭✭✭cornbb


    I don't really see how it could be fake. Its a fairly visually shocking handicap alright.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,348 ✭✭✭vulcan57


    cornbb wrote: »
    I don't really see how it could be fake. Its a fairly visually shocking handicap alright.

    It is visually shocking, but is that his intention?, so we don't question it. When I used to work in london I use to use Charring cross station and down the side of the station there used to be a man in a wheelchair with a tray selling matches. I used to feel sorry for him and often used to give him the odd bit of change that I had. That all stopped the day I saw another fella go up to him and say OK I'll take over and he got up, and the new faker sat down and carried on selling the matches. Just a point that you can never tell.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,085 ✭✭✭Xiney


    I'm pretty sure it'd be hard for this guy to be faking. You try bending your leg that way.

    The only way he could be faking is if the leg from the knee down was fake. Even so he would be missing the bottom half of both legs, hardly any better a handicap.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,105 ✭✭✭LadyMayBelle


    I have to say I was shocked when i saw him shuffling down town with his legs like that, he shuffles on his calves. But I spotted him up near the uni a few weeks back and he uses crutches so he can stand up and his lower legs are diagonal to the ground and he moves them to walk..hard to describe but he was fairly moving..poor chap thats quite a disability, cant see how you could fake that one.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 37 Slumdog


    yea it can't be fake.. i've seen him alot and it always looks the same and it's impossible to do that with your legs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,205 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    This thread is useless without pics


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,021 ✭✭✭m83


    This thread beggars belief.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    Well it can't be fake, except in the sense that the 'legs' from the knee down aren't real, they're just fakes to emphasize his disability and play it up - at the end of the day the guy clearly has no legs from the knee down whatever way you look at it. Though I did always assume they weren't real legs, just an effort to play up the disability.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 636 ✭✭✭Absolute Zero


    seems to me like the same guy , ive seen both in kilkenny and waterford , he msut go to every city and town begging for money. Thinks he owns the place too, i saw em walk into mcdonalds and ahead of the queue like it was nothing, scares the sh1t outta kids when goes up and down the streets begging. he will be moved on by next week.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,559 ✭✭✭✭AnonoBoy


    So he put his fake legs on backwards?


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,598 Mod ✭✭✭✭Robbo


    AnonoBoy wrote: »
    So he put his fake legs on backwards?
    Exactly like Kriss Kross have to do now that their music careers are over...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,178 ✭✭✭kevmy


    Xiney wrote: »
    The only way he could be faking is if the leg from the knee down was fake. Even so he would be missing the bottom half of both legs, hardly any better a handicap.

    I'm pretty sure this is what he does.

    tbh if you want to make money as a beggar you have to be as visible as possible and sad to say this but a guy with his legs bent forward is much more visible than a guy with prosthetics or in a wheelchair


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,166 ✭✭✭✭Zzippy


    m83 wrote: »
    This thread beggars belief.

    I beg to differ.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,729 ✭✭✭Acoshla


    I've seen him on Shop St, but he has a walking stick across his (weirdly bent) legs, so from that I guess he can walk with the aid of the stick, but figures he'll get more money doing it the shuffley way instead of hobbling with the stick.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,085 ✭✭✭Xiney


    kevmy wrote: »
    I'm pretty sure this is what he does.

    tbh if you want to make money as a beggar you have to be as visible as possible and sad to say this but a guy with his legs bent forward is much more visible than a guy with prosthetics or in a wheelchair

    Then I don't understand how people have seen him "walking"

    Prosthetic limbs can't be used backwards, afaik. (Granted, my knowledge of prosthetics is limited to "they're damn difficult to use")


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    I seen him jogging out in Salthill. Was horrified.

    jogging_man%20on%20beach.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,205 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    Seriously, this thread needs pics



    Seriously :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,021 ✭✭✭m83




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,046 ✭✭✭Fracture


    On that note has anyone seen the romanian looking guy standing about on shop street with 2 crutches shaking like mad with a cup in one hand lookin for cash?
    I havent seen him in a while but when i did see him it was a few times over a couple of days, he just walked away when he seen the guards coming.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,944 ✭✭✭✭4zn76tysfajdxp


    Poor lil fella, he's bending over backwards just to eke a living.
    Zzippy wrote: »
    I beg to differ.

    I beg your pardon?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,898 ✭✭✭✭seanybiker


    Sounds like the fella me mother seen here in town(waterford). Sounds bad but me mother couldnt stop laughing.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    I'm still pretty sure I saw him in Quake.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,378 ✭✭✭Krieg


    Fracture wrote: »
    On that note has anyone seen the romanian looking guy standing about on shop street with 2 crutches shaking like mad with a cup in one hand lookin for cash?
    I havent seen him in a while but when i did see him it was a few times over a couple of days, he just walked away when he seen the guards coming.

    Yeah he is still around. He is always on eglinton st. now, in between BT and the post office


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Is it just his legs that face in the other direction or is it his entire bottom half. I mean does he need to take a piss with a mirror and a crap lying down.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Speaking of beggers, you guys come across the guy outside Ulster Bank asking "You any spare change"? You say no and he pulls a mobile out his pocket and starts using it. He's usually around in the evenings and has a cup of tea or coffee from Supermacs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,021 ✭✭✭m83


    Speaking of beggers, you guys come across the guy outside Ulster Bank asking "You any spare change"? You say no and he pulls a mobile out his pocket and starts using it. He's usually around in the evenings and has a cup of tea or coffee from Supermacs.

    I hate that guy!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,205 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    Speaking of beggers, you guys come across the guy outside Ulster Bank asking "You any spare change"? You say no and he pulls a mobile out his pocket and starts using it. He's usually around in the evenings and has a cup of tea or coffee from Supermacs.

    Whenever I get asked that question I just reply with "Yeah, loads" and keep walking :pac:


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    He started asking me where I was living and I just said Renmore. He then claimed to be a Renmore man all his life. Wanker is not poor, probably just too lazy/mean to work.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,378 ✭✭✭Krieg


    Speaking of beggers, you guys come across the guy outside Ulster Bank asking "You any spare change"? You say no and he pulls a mobile out his pocket and starts using it. He's usually around in the evenings and has a cup of tea or coffee from Supermacs.

    Im confused, is he trying to insinuate that he is going to ring/text some lads to come around and knock the crap out of you for not giving him change? :confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6 mollymolly


    this is actually a woman. comes into my shop sometimes. her legs sre amputated from the thigh down and she stuffs cardboard in her jeans. ive seen her accidentally put her crutch on her leg and it just went flat.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,138 ✭✭✭Tomebagel


    mollymolly wrote: »
    this is actually a woman. comes into my shop sometimes. her legs sre amputated from the thigh down and she stuffs cardboard in her jeans. ive seen her accidentally put her crutch on her leg and it just went flat.


    no this is a different person buddy:o


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,290 ✭✭✭bigeasyeah


    Zzippy wrote: »
    I beg to differ.

    beggars cant be choosers


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,350 ✭✭✭doolox


    There will be more like him as this depression deepens.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 532 ✭✭✭Pub07


    bigeasyeah wrote: »
    beggars cant be choosers

    I beg your pardon?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,348 ✭✭✭vulcan57


    doolox wrote: »
    There will be more like him as this depression deepens.

    The depression makes yer legs go wonky?:eek:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,290 ✭✭✭bigeasyeah


    Pub07 wrote: »
    I beg your pardon?

    it beggars belief


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,166 ✭✭✭✭Zzippy


    doolox wrote: »
    There will be more like him as this depression deepens.

    Sorry for your troubles. If you're extremely depressed you really should consult a doctor. If you're just mildly depressed maybe join a club or take up a sport. Don't get too down, the summer's coming!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,105 ✭✭✭LadyMayBelle


    Tis all fun and games until somebody loses a leg.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 85 ✭✭gmkgreaney


    rarnes1 wrote: »
    I seen him jogging out in Salthill. Was horrified.

    jogging_man%20on%20beach.jpg
    :D lmao


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,160 ✭✭✭✭banshee_bones


    yeah i have seen him around a good bit now... he is rather unfortunate looking...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,290 ✭✭✭bigeasyeah


    Tis all fun and games until somebody loses a leg.

    :) too many leg and limb sayings have now clogged my brain.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,121 ✭✭✭✭Thargor


    I dont see how faking that makes more money, I give him a wide berth and everyone else does aswell it seems, there's usually a few feet of clear space around him even when Shop St is busy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,105 ✭✭✭LadyMayBelle


    All the funny sayings and photos are on their second round at this stage :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,046 ✭✭✭Fracture


    right if its the guy i think your all talking about then he's a fake, it was about 6 months ago, he was outside schuh leaning against the wall, with a crutch in each arm, his legs bent in the way and shaking like a bad drama student pretending to be a shaky person :)
    How do i know he is a fake you ask?
    Well after i seen him begging, i said to my gf, that lad is bs, thats one desperate begger, i looked back and seen 2 guards coming up tig coli and he just suddenly (like a miracle) stoped, and started walking to the top of shop street behind us.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27 stevendcarroll


    If ye are talking about the same person that i am thinking about (legs bent forward, says nothing other than "please" (sounds kinda like beep) in a really high pitched voice) then firstly it is a woman, it's really hard to belive, but my friend told me to pay close attention to her as opposed to avoiding eye contact! And SHE can walk on the legs, but its kinda like crawling sept she has really short crutches! 100% her shins are not fake cos i'v seen the bottom of her shins!


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,598 Mod ✭✭✭✭Robbo


    If ye are talking about the same person that i am thinking about (legs bent forward, says nothing other than "please" (sounds kinda like beep) in a really high pitched voice) then firstly it is a woman, it's really hard to belive, but my friend told me to pay close attention to her as opposed to avoiding eye contact! And SHE can walk on the legs, but its kinda like crawling sept she has really short crutches! 100% her shins are not fake cos i'v seen the bottom of her shins!
    That's Johnny Wronglegs, from the "the strange characters of galway city" thread.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,105 ✭✭✭LadyMayBelle


    Fracture wrote: »
    right if its the guy i think your all talking about then he's a fake, it was about 6 months ago, he was outside schuh leaning against the wall, with a crutch in each arm, his legs bent in the way and shaking like a bad drama student pretending to be a shaky person :)
    How do i know he is a fake you ask?
    Well after i seen him begging, i said to my gf, that lad is bs, thats one desperate begger, i looked back and seen 2 guards coming up tig coli and he just suddenly (like a miracle) stoped, and started walking to the top of shop street behind us.

    There's two different people, That guy you're describing is very different from the Johnny Wronglegs guy/girl. Ya kinda got see him/her to see what makes him/her so unique..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,942 ✭✭✭topper75


    It's fantastic the way people can see them for free out in the street nowadays.

    Back in my day, they were hidden in a tent, and you had to pay five shillings to enter.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,380 ✭✭✭TheCosmicFrog


    If ye are talking about the same person that i am thinking about (legs bent forward, says nothing other than "please" (sounds kinda like beep) in a really high pitched voice) then firstly it is a woman, it's really hard to belive, but my friend told me to pay close attention to her as opposed to avoiding eye contact! And SHE can walk on the legs, but its kinda like crawling sept she has really short crutches! 100% her shins are not fake cos i'v seen the bottom of her shins!

    Steve, why do you let on to know so little, yet know so much?!

    Please, give us more wisdom!

    And is it really a girl? He/she wears pink shoes, but still...


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