Matt Tapia: a miracle man

As Rudy Tapia cautiously approached the incubator, his eyes swelled with tears. For the first time, he could see his newborn son, obscured by ropes of plastic tubing. He raised his hand to his son, looked around the facility, and smelled the cool hospital air. He treasured this first encounter, as just days before, he was told had that his son, Matthew, may have been destined for an untimely death.After exiting the womb, Matthew Tapia (’14) was diagnosed with Class I hemorrhaging in his brain. With just a five percent chance of survival, Tapia’s father was told that rather than gazing at his son with awe and opportunity, he should begin to prepare for tragedy.“[From my own perspective], his condition was equivalent to a [soldier] who had been bombed by an [explosive] and suffered severe trauma to his head,” Tapia’s father said. “But when I saw [Matthew], he got to me. For some reason, I just knew he would be something special.”But after a series of open heart surgeries at 9 months old, Matthew Tapia was given a new chance at survival. He’s since recovered from initial cerebral hemorrhaging, and though he would have to cope with special needs, Tapia would be able to experience life, as his father predicted.“Matt’s a fighter,” Tapia’s father said. “Defying the odds is the theme of his life.”As Tapia grew up, his father noticed that his son had developed a passion for sports. Whether it was watching basketball on television or tossing a football around in his living room, Tapia was addicted. Yet, Tapia was never one to restrict himself, and wanted to play these games on the big field, not in his living room carpet.This pipe dream soon became a reality, after Tapia’s long time friend and Varsity football quarterback Nico Basile (’15) invited him to partake in a program where Samo football players could bring their friends to practice with the Vikings themselves.“After Nico invited Matthew to practice with him, Matthew asked me if partaking in the practice made him a part of the team,” Tapia’s father  said. “I told him it was only a place where real football players invited their friends to come and practice for a Saturday. If he wanted, he could pretend he was on the team. But Matthew was so persistent. I told him he couldn’t, but he was so determined to not listen to me.”When the football practice was over, and Tapia’s father came to pick him up, head coach Travis Clark addressed all participants before the two went home. Clark had told all players that they should consider joining the football team, as football creates long lasting friendships and memories. When the speech was over, Rudy Tapia noticed that his son had disappeared — and was darting towards coach Clark.“When Matthew came back, he told me it was his choice if he wanted to be on the football team or not,” Tapia’s father said.  “Confused, I went up to Coach Clark to ask him what happened.”According to Tapia’s father, Clark responded with the words, “He better have his cleats by Monday.” At last, Tapia was a “real” football player, and to this day, his father is thankful that Clark gifted his son with the chance to realize his fantasies.“Clark has been one of my heroes ever since,” Rudy Tapia said. “And I’m so grateful that this very special football team embraced Matt and accepted him as a teammate and a friend.”Not only did the football team allow Tapia to break huddles, wear his own jersey and be listed as a top prospect on their website, but Tapia also partook in a number of practice drills and participated in two conference games.“Matt’s entrance on the team was one of the highlights of my football career,” defensive-end Justin Nelson (’15) said. “His beautiful and captivating story gave me no excuse to not pursue my dreams and aspirations. Matt taught me what’s really special in life, and I feel privileged to have met him. I’ll always cherish this past season with Matt.”But the end of the football season didn’t mark the conclusion to Matt’s sporting career. By his own accord, Matthew asked head basketball coach James Hecht if he could  be a member of the team. According to Rudy Tapia, Matthew Tapia told Hecht that he was the most determined player he’d ever meet. Deeply touched by the encounter, Hecht decided to admit Tapia onto his second varsity sport.“It took a few practices for us to get used to having a new teammate with us,” varsity basketball player Travis Fujita (’14) said. “But eventually, he became an integral member of our team. He lightened the mood when things weren’t going so well. We all accepted him as a member of our family and I know the rest of the school was behind Matt all the way.”In the last five minutes of the basketball team’s CIF playoff against Montebello, Samo students rallied throughout the stadium, chanting “We Want Matt, We Want Matt.” Winning 74-45 with seconds left, Hecht put Matthew Tapia in the game, and he scored what was likely the most memorable shots of the season. Both teams allowed Tapia the ball, and watched as he heaved it into the basket as the clock ran out.“[The whole season] was worth it when Matt hit that shot,” varsity co-captain Ray Mancini said. “Matt helped me realize I can do anything as long I believe in it.”From living room tosses to California playoffs, Tapia’s father has seen the culmination of a life dedicated to defeating insurmountable handicaps. Instead of being wrapped in tubes and bound for an inadequate life, Mr. Tapia saw a son covered in the admiration and love he revives from the Samo community.“The support he receives has allowed Matt the confidence to pursue what he cares about,” Mr. Tapia said.After high school, Tapia will be attending the University of California with special needs, where he will pursue a career in sports broadcasting.“I’ve always told him to soar with the eagles,” Tapia’s father said. “There was one time when we were sitting at home and he said, ‘Daddy, where was I before I was born?’ I told him he was in my heart. And it was then that I realized that everything special comes from our hearts. And when it does come from our hearts, as Matthew has taught me, there’s nothing you can’t do.”Tapia is now participating in his third varsity sport of the year, baseball, which also happens to be his favorite sport. jstaraci@thesamohi.com