Simply put, I ride because I can . . . for those who can't.
In May, 1986, I saw the affects of AIDS first-hand when a high school girlfriend, Patty, died of AIDS. I spent a lot of time with her the last two months of her life. When she died she was 5'11" and only weighed 65 lbs!
Then, in June, 1998, I learned that my, then 10-month old gson, Samuel, and his mother both tested HIV+.
His mother, one of my dearest friends, was deliberately infected, without her knowledge, by an old boyfriend 5 years before Samuel was born. She had no idea she was positive until Samual was diagnosed. After learning she was positive, she called her ex's parents to find him and was told that he had died of AIDS 6 months earlier. When she said, "I didn't even know he was positive." They responded, "Really? He knew three years before he met you."
What's worse: Sharon broke up with him because she found out he was sleeping with three other women at the time. We have no way of knowing how many people he deliberately infected.
After the diagnosis, I was devestated and severely depressed. I could not imagine watching a child waste away and go through what I saw Patty go through.
Three months later, I heard of the California AIDS Ride, and without knowing any details, began my commitment to end the suffering caused by AIDS.
Samuel turned ten in August, 2007. Both he and his mother are doing well at this time, and I have vowed to do whatever I can to ensure that he, and all other children living with this horrific disease, have the chance to live a full, normal life. I will ride as long as I am able and as long AIDS is a death sentence to all those who become infected.
This is my original Teddy bear. It holds a photo of Samuel at age 3.
In 2003, I joined the fight against Leukemia and other blood cancers to honor my friend and supporter, Eric Drew, who is in remission from Adult Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL PH+), a normally terminal Leukemia.
In 2006, I learned of the California Coast Classic and joined the fight against Arthritis for my mother, who is disabled by Psoriatic Arthritis. As her primary caregiver for the past 15 years, I have seen first-hand, the physical and emotional toll this disease has on those afflicted.
This page last updated November 20, 2007.
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