Danny Shaffer spends his days looking for a job in a town where he doesn’t know a single soul. A few days before Christmas, the 47-year-old was dropped off at Emmaus Mission Center — a suitcase in hand. He says he never thought he’d end up in a homeless shelter.
Although he grew up in Anderson, Shaffer doesn’t consider Indiana his home. His home, where his wife, Akemi, and children currently are and where he lived for 20 years, is Japan, but Danny hasn’t been to the country for the past eight years.
Danny graduated from Temple University in Japan, and taught English at Showa University and the Japan Times. He came to Japan as a operations specialist in the Navy in his 20’s.
“I had no knowledge of Japan whatsoever,” he said. “I just wanted to see the world.”
Shaffer met his wife in Japan, and adopted two children.
Eight years ago, though, his wife, who retired early, told Danny she wanted to move to Indiana and live out in the country.
So the couple moved to Bowling Green, but about a year after they moved, Akemi developed breast cancer.
“She was really bad, so I quit my job to take care of her,” Shaffer said. “That was the beginning of the downward spiral.”
After a year, Akemi’s cancer went into remission, but with no income, the Shaffers lost everything, including their home, belongings and dogs.
“I was basically living on credit cards the whole time,” he said.
Last year, Akemi decided to move back to Japan, and Danny, who discovered that his mother, who lives in Indiana, was sick, decided to stay behind in the U.S. for a couple of months to work and make some money to bring back to Japan.
But things continued to spiral downward for Danny.
He was living with his mother at the time, but she went into a nursing home, leaving him without a home. At the same time, he was laid off from his job.
Danny relayed his situation to a pastor he had befriended at Monon Community Church, who suggested Danny stay at Emmaus Mission Center while he got back on his feet.
Danny said he’s trying to find a job so he can get money to go back to Japan, but the task hasn’t been easy.
He hasn’t seen his wife in over a year, but talks with her via e-mail everyday and on the phone once a week.
Danny said the experience of living in a homeless shelter has been a humbling one.
“I count my blessings,” Danny said. “Twenty years ago, I couldn’t imagine doing this, but I gave up my ego a long time ago.”
He said he has no regrets about the past eight years.
“She was worth it — coming out here,” Danny said about his wife.
When he returns to Japan, which he said he hopes will be by the spring or summer, Danny said he will begin looking for a home and expects to get his jobs back at Showa University and the Japan Times.
Currently, he is spending time online and talking to employment agencies in attempts to find a job. He also practices his Japanese often, and has written memoirs of his experience in the U.S.
He said he’s optimistic about the future.
“Something’s going to pop up,” he said. “What helps is knowing what I have to look forward to.”
Melissa Soria may be reached at (574) 732-5143 or melissa.soria@pharostribune.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Pharos-Tribune photos by Arnold Ernest
-
Pharos-Tribune photo by Arnold Ernest
Discussion
Getting back home
<b>Danny Shaffer became homeless after moving to Indiana from Japan</b>
- Local News
-
-
No jail for driver in fatal hit-and-run
A 25-year-old Logansport man admitted Thursday to leaving the scene of a deadly wreck last year, but he will not serve any time in jail as the result of a plea agreement.
-
Board backs 51 percent spike in utility rates
For Paul Hartman, the issue facing the Logansport Stormwater Management Board is pretty simple.
-
13-foot statue celebrating arts to stand in Logan
Logan’s Landing danced a little closer Thursday to sprucing up the downtown area and crafting the arts and design district it’s been longing to create.
-
Stormwater board OKs rate increase
The Logansport Stormwater Management Board this morning approved a 51 percent increase in its monthly rates.
-
LHS senior prank
As a senior prank, Logansport High School students moved the cow from in front of Happy Burger West to the Berry Bowl this morning. It was all in good fun, though. Bob Shanks, the owner of Happy Burger, was even on hand to pose for pictures.
-
‘It’s not about you’: Local mom shares journey of adopting foster children
Foster parenting isn’t always easy, says Juanita Jackson. Between caseworker visits and baby-sitting restrictions, the 42-year-old balances work and caring for five children as a single mom.
-
Longtime Lewis Cass teacher fired over license
Notwithstanding the impassioned pleas on Scott Rouch’s behalf, the Southeastern school board unanimously voted to cancel his teaching contract for “neglect of duty and other just causes.”
-
Jeremy Franklin charged with two felonies
A special prosecutor this week filed three charges, including two felony counts, against the son of the Logansport mayor.
-
Logan multiplex still in the works
Plans for a multiplex in Logansport are still in the works, but at least one city official hoped the process would move a bit quicker.
-
Ambulances moving: Hospital says change will save $200,000
Rural/Metro, Cass County’s newest ambulance service, told Logansport Memorial Hospital that it plans to move out of the ambulance garage at the end of its lease in September.
- More Local News Headlines
-
No jail for driver in fatal hit-and-run
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
