Former model and actress Loni Willison (41) was spotted on the streets this week, where she has been living for years. The star of the series “Baywatch” once enjoyed fame, fortune, and what could be called a decent, dignified life. That was before the problems hit her, leading to her homelessness. Once the downfall began, there was no turning back. Foto: Profimedia Loni Willison, who now lives on the streets of Los Angeles, blames her ex-husband, Jeremy Jackson, for everything. When asked who was responsible for her downfall, she responded to X17 Online: “My ex-husband. Entering marriage. At least I got divorced… it all started then.” The former actress and Jackson were married for two years before their divorce in 2014. She claimed that Jeremy tried to strangle her during a fight when both were intoxicated. Foto: Profimedia Loni Willison, who previously appeared on the covers of magazines such as Glam Fit, Flavour, and Iron Man, did not appear in public for years after the divorce, and it wasn’t until 2018 that it was revealed she was homeless. In an interview with the Daily Mail that year, she revealed she had suffered a nervous breakdown and started believing that someone was sending electric shocks into her body, a feeling she could only stop by using crystal meth. In an interview with X17 Online, she said that she endured severe pain and couldn’t live in a house because someone had subjected her to electric shocks for a year, and now she can’t be near electricity. “I think because I have electricity, I attract other things, like certain chemicals or batteries, or fuses, wires, different types of metals, so I think my body even filters such things,” Loni Willison explained. Her photos have shocked the public in recent months. Foto: Profimedia Loni, who also engaged in bodybuilding, first spoke negatively about her ex-husband in 2015. The Los Angeles Police Department told Daily Mail that in 2014, they received a call from their family home regarding domestic violence. She suffered two broken ribs, neck injuries, and scratches on her face and body. The case was dismissed because she didn’t want to press charges against Jackson. “I didn’t report him when he attacked me because I was scared. I was emotionally broken and didn’t want him to go to jail. But I think I should have done it,” she stated in 2015 for The Sun. Foto: Profimedia The sad pictures from the streets of Los Angeles depict her daily life, and there’s still hope that someone will help her, although there hasn’t been much progress in years.

Life is hard, and it becomes even harder if the hearts that surround us are made of stone. Diane Salinger knew about life. At sixty-two, she’d seen a lot more dark days than sunny and cried a lot of tears.

But Diane wasn’t the kind of woman to give up. Every time life knocked her down, she bounced back up again, ready to fight again. She had lost her husband three years before, then a tornado razed her home. But she just picked up the stakes and started over again.

She took her savings and bought herself a small grocery store in a pretty mid-sized town in Michigan. It was perfect for her. A big enough town that would appreciate a few of the exotic items she intended to carry, small enough to be cozy and warm.

Cozy and warm might describe the community in general, but not Diane’s landlord, Chris Turkle. It was from Chris that Diane rented her small apartment within walking distance of the store.

When the going gets tough it’s important to be there for each other.

As far as it went, Diane was the perfect tenant. She was quiet, didn’t damage the property, and always paid her rent on time. And then one month, she was short.

Chris fanned out the money he’d taken from the envelope in front of Diane and waved it in her face. “$120 short, Mrs.Salinger.”

Diane blushed. “As I was explaining, Mr. Turkle, since so many of the small businesses have been struggling during Covid… Well, I extended credit to some needy families…And this month, I’m a little short. But you know I’m good for it! I will pay you the $120 in two weeks…”

“If you’re willing to go under playing Mother Teresa, that’s YOUR problem,” Chris snapped. “I, Mrs.Salinger, am a businessman, not a charity! I want you out by the end of the week!”

“But Mr. Turkle…” Diane protested. “It’s only for a week, and it won’t happen again!”

“It happened once, and it’s enough for me, Mrs.Salinger. You’re OUT.” Chris said coldly, and he turned his back and walked out. He felt quite justified. He’d seen Diane’s grocery store, and it did brisk business.

There were always people trooping in and out with heavy shopping bags full of delicious-looking produce, and her deli section, he’d heard, was extremely popular. “Short on cash indeed!” he snorted to himself. “Taking advantage is what it is!”

Chris went home and got himself ready to go to dinner at his baby sister’s house. Vanessa was his favorite sister, and he often worried about her. She had married and divorced a man who seemed to be constantly unemployed, and Vanessa worked two jobs to make ends meet.

He’d offered to give her 16-year-old son a weekend job, but Vanessa always refused, blushing. “It’s okay, Chris,” she’d say. “I’ll make do!” But Chris had seen the dark shadows under her eyes and how thin her face was getting.

It was his nephew’s birthday, so Chris tucked a $20 note into an envelope and put it in his jacket pocket. Then he headed for the door and walked the three blocks to Vanessa’s house.

He knocked on the door, and Vanessa welcomed him with a happy smile. She looked more relaxed and a lot happier. Whatever she was cooking for dinner smelled delicious, and his mouth watered.

“Hey there!” he said, kissing her on the cheek. “Where’s the birthday boy?”

“Playing video games with Diane!” Vanessa smiled. “Come on in!” Vanessa walked to the stairs and shouted: “Joss, Diane, come on down! It’s dinner time!”

To Chris’ chagrin, in walked Mrs.Salinger, the tenant he’d just booted out of his property, and she seemed to be on great terms with his nephew and his sister! Diane was just as stunned to see Chris, but she was admirably cool.

“Hello,” she smiled. “Nice to see you. I didn’t know you were Vanessa’s brother…”

Chris blushed and cleared his throat. “Ehr…Yes, my younger sister…you know…”

“Come on, everyone,” cried Vanessa. “The roast will get cold!”

“Roast!” cried Joss. “That’s my favorite…But mom, I know you only get paid next week! How can we afford this?”

Diane smiled at Joss and patted his hand. “Don’t you worry about that,” she said. “Your mom’s credit is good with me. That smells AMAZING, and I’m starving!”

In a low voice, Chris leaned in and asked, “Is Vanessa the person you’re helping?”

Diane smiled. “She’s one of them,” she replied. “Maybe she didn’t tell you, but one of her jobs fell through, so I’m just helping out until she’s back on her feet.”

Chris felt a wave of shame color his cheeks. “I’m so sorry about…you know… But why doesn’t Vanessa come to me?”

Diane said gently, “You know, we all have our pride. Vanessa wants to stand on her own two feet and raise her boy. Help from a friend is one thing — being a poor relation asking for charity is another.”

Chris whispered, “I tell you what, from now on, you have the apartment at half-price — call it an investment in the town’s well-being and my sister’s!”

By the end of the evening, Chris had discovered that Diane was a very lovely and funny woman and that he enjoyed her company immensely. That night, his perception of his community shifted. He was going to follow Diane’s example. He was going to give a helping hand.

What can we learn from this story?

• When the going gets tough, it’s important to be there for each other. Diane was quietly helping the poorer people in town by selling them food on credit she knew they could never repay.
• Being able to admit you’re wrong and change your ways is an extraordinary thing. Chris not only realized he was wrong about Diane, but he also started to help those who were struggling.

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This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com