Wednesday, November 18, 2009


My Family Nightmare: Matthews' Story


I am Valorie Sankey of Wichita Falls, TX, a mother of three grown boys. On Sept. 27, 2009, I got the kind of call every mother dreads. My son's girlfriend called from California to tell me that my son had gone missing for several days and was finally found in a park. He was naked and nearly blinded by his own hand. I was stunned, unable to accept what I was hearing. I left Texas immediately to be with my son and do whatever was in my power to help him. My son's name is Matthew Coleman. When I arrived, he had been released from the hospital. He, his girlfriend and mother met me at the train station. Matthew was obviously not his normal self. He was introverted, paranoid and delusional. He had suffered some kind of mental break for reasons we could not know. Over the next several days we tried to care for him at his girlfriend's mother's home. It was difficult. At times he was emotional and crying. At others unable to speak. Several times we took him back to the hospital, to mental health clinics, seeking a diagnosis. Eventually he was diagnosed as bi-polar. He is currently getting in-patient therapy at a mental health clinic in Napa Valley. His prognosis is dire, but not hopeless. He will have to take medication for the rest of his life. If he stays on it, there's a chance for a normal life. To be sure this is a difficult time for me and my whole family. Everyone is pitching in as much as possible. But it is made more difficult by the fact that I will have to relocate here to help care for Matthew indefinitely. And also by the fact that I, myself, am on disability because I have Lupus and Fibromyalgia. My funds, already limited, are stretched to the breaking point by the need to move so that I can be close to and care for my son. Matthew has no health insurance. These times are tough for everyone I know. Every day on the news, as the current national health care debate goes on, we hear about the problems people on fixed incomes, without insurance face. Suddenly I find myself in that situation. I am the only member of my family who has the time to give Matthew the full time care he needs now and possibly in the future. I've been away from home for almost a month now. My own meds are running low. Matthew needs meds. We have to drive from the East Bay daily to Napa to visit him. I lieu of a safety net for people in our situation, I hope and pray that there are people out there who can help us through this difficult time. People who can find it in their hearts to give me the assistance I need to get re-established in California, and to get a place where I can care for Matthew until we can get to a place where he can again care for himself.
(Click Link for Fundraiser/Donations)

Update: 2018
Matthew suffered a lot but has recovered.  He fought through his illness and homelessness, but has managed to get back on track. He is in training to be a massage therapist.
Ain't God Good!!!

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