Matthew Hay-Chapman (SF)

Backstory:
I met Matthew Hay-Chapman in 2015. He was sleeping on a bench in the middle of the Golden Gate National Park in San Francisco. I only had $5 left in my wallet, but I approached Matt, put the money in his shoe, shook his hand and chatted a little. I said that I wished to hear his life story, but I could also see that he was tired from a long day, so I gave my email address, and within the next couple of days he emailed me his story. Below is the content of that email - unedited and raw. It’s a sad story, but I felt it needed to be shared.

About:
Matthew, hails from the mountainous region near Reno, Nevada, and was raised in a large Catholic family with ten siblings. The son of a career U.S. Air Force serviceman, Matthew's roots trace back to the San Francisco-Berkeley area where his parents originated. When I first interviewed Matthew he was 55 and was reflecting on his past life as a Carpenter and Building Engineer.

Matthew's pride shines through when speaking about his son, Allan, and daughter, Sarah. Sarah, despite being born premature with severe cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and intellectual disability, radiates resilience. Sarah, now a woman, resides in a state home for the disabled due to a severe gag reflex that prevents her from consuming food or drink. Allen is a gifted artist who sadly lost custody of his children to the Oregon Child Welfare Protective Services but Matthew lives to visit his grandchildren whenever he can afford it.

Matthew himself has faced adversity over the past 18 months. Health issues forced him to leave his position as a night manager at a boutique hotel in Union Square, and he found himself without a home in the bustling streets of San Francisco. During this challenging period, he made several trips to Oregon in a failed attempt to secure temporary custody of his grandchildren, who sadly entered the foster care system.

Presently, Matthew is wrestling with severe anxiety, depression, and peripheral neuropathy affecting both his feet. These issues trace back to a lower-back injury he sustained in a work-related incident 15 years ago, which resulted in a bulging disc and stenosis. Fear of a potential diabetes diagnosis looms over him, adding to his health concerns.

Despite a deep-seated phobia of doctors and an innate reluctance to prioritize his health, Matthew has recently sought medical assistance to manage his severe pain. His journey is overwhelming and filled with trials, but Matthew remains resilient, drawing breath and navigating the labyrinth of life's crises. His story is a testament to human endurance, with hope shining like a beacon, inviting help and understanding from those willing to reach out.