Help a Marine with Stroke Recovery

My name is Matthew Cope, and I have had the luck of being friends with a good man named Richard Manning. We met in 2012 putting on art and music productions. At first I could only see a gruff, loud mouthed, very military-esque person; however, getting to know him over the last almost 10 years has led me to, not just enjoy his humor, sensibility, and loyalty as a friend, but to love him as a role model and a mentor for myself, my children, and my whole family. Not many people get to have friends like this. I am proud of everything he has done in his life, even if he feels unaccomplished. He is a GOOD human being, and has a wonderful heart.

Richard is a Marine. He served right out of high school. During a routine drill he stepped on an explosive that tore his ankle and foot apart. He met his wife in 1999 and since then they have built a family with two beautiful daughters. I remember it was around 2014 when his Grandmother passed away. At the time she was caring for Richard's mother who herself had a stroke a few years back. That stroke left her with only 30% of her brain intact. She would need 24 hour care and not have many mental faculties. And, so, with their two daughters, Richard and his wife also took in his mother to care for her. That's just who Richard is: always the first to help. A true Marine.

It was for health reasons that Richard was discharged from the military. He served his country. He was injured for his country. Now he had to fight his own country just to get the care they promised him. Richard not only had part of his foot blown off, but a metal plate in his back as well. He knew he would be suffering from chronic pain the rest of his life.

For a log time Richard had also been suffering other ailments with his breathing and lungs. He was falsely diagnosed with emphysema. It was only after years of fighting with the VA that he finally received his proper medical benefits. That soon led to his diagnosis this year of having Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. He was given 4-5 years to live with his condition.

On 10/10/2021 around 1:30-2am his wife woke up to a loud “thud” and discovered her husband on the ground. Not responsive, then beginning to throw up. After calling 911 he was taken to Kaiser. There was excessive blood in his brain that had to be drained. Placed in the ICU, put on a ventilator, feeding tube, etc. For the last month, he has been in stable condition, but we still don't know the future outcome, or how long the recovery could take.

Many stroke patients and their loved ones know that long wait, (the excruciatingly long wait). "When will my loved one finally start being a little like the person they were before?"

What we know now is, at the age of 46, Richard has suffered a major stroke; all with his family - wife, two daughters, and elderly/ill mother - not even a year after being diagnosed with a major disease.

What I am asking for is support for my friend. To help his family get through this. This money will hopefully help them to stay on their feet, pay bill, and hopefully get the house ADA compliant for if/when Richard returns. They need help caring for his mother now. Richard's wife is on call taking care of the family 24/7. Richard was the handyman, and they will need some work done before the winter. They have worked so hard to make it this far. Their house is small, but it is home.

My friend has been there for me so many times over the years, and he has been there for so many other people. He gives and loves everyone he meets without question. Thank you for your donations. We will definitely be giving you updates on this as time progresses. And please know, should all funds not be used, they will be returned with much gratitude.

Much love and many blessings to you all!