I’m Not Gone—Just Invisible: A Phoenix Story

Note: The following is fictional—“Gabe” does not exist—but this story reflects the real struggles faced by many in our community. Every statistic is true, every moment feels painfully possible.

My Name Is Gabe—And I’m Still Here

The sun blazed down again today, turning sidewalks into ovens and destitution into life or death.

Two weeks ago—right there, at the McDowell bus stop across from Mojave—another person died. First it was a woman, collapsed still, her life lost to the heat. Three days later, it happened again. I've met too many whose shadows vanish at that same corner. These deaths aren’t surprising. An ABC15 investigation found that at least 40 people have died at bus stops in Phoenix from heat-related causes. Two-thirds of those heat deaths occurred outdoors—and meth was involved in 75% of drug-related heat deaths in Maricopa County.

When Survival Isn’t Enough

I lost count of nights spent outside before my shoes fell apart. You don’t need permission to fade, but you do need help to stay. In our city—Maricopa County—over 9,700 people experience homelessness annually. Nearly 42% of them struggle with substance use disorders, and 38% battle mental illness.(des.az.gov, addictiongroup.org)

Those stats aren’t numbers—they’re faces. I can tell you who they are.

I’m Not the Only One

The 110°F heat last summer killed more than 400 people, most of whom were elderly, homeless, or battling addiction.(turn0news20) When the air is a weapon, you don’t pass out. You vanish.

Addicts don’t always act sick. But worry lines and tremors don’t contract by accident. In 2022, county data reported 732 deaths among the homeless from overdose or related causes—a 42% increase from the year before.(addictiongroup.org)

At that bus stop across from Mojave, people aren’t just waiting—they’re surviving. Until they aren’t.

What I Need Isn’t Charity—It’s Care

Here’s what I hope Mojave Center can offer:

  • A chance to be seen—not just for my addiction, but for my life.
  • Trauma-informed support built for people like me, in the middle of our chaos.
  • Care that includes doctors, counselors, and case managers working together so I don’t have to restart my story every day.
  • Advocacy to change systems that make me invisible: banking, housing, Medicaid—all gatekept by my mistakes.

A Snapshot of Loss

Reality

Phoenix / Maricopa County

People experiencing homelessness

~9,700 (des.az.gov)

Homeless with substance use disorder

42%

Heat-related deaths in metro Phoenix (last summer)

400+ (turn0news20)

Meth present in heat-related drug deaths

75% (turn0news21)

Homeless overdose deaths (2022)

732 (↑42% YOY)

You see people—their disappearances aren't just cold statistics. I’m not gone. I’m just still waiting—for help.

— Gabe (fictional), still hoping someone will notice

 

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