For now, Rise up!
To
donate: Tim's Fundraising Goal
Wow - time certainly
has passed. Has it really been almost two years since my last blog
post? Wow. Well, within that time, so much has
happened...personally, professionally, and politically.
Let's try and catch
you up...hmmm, let’s see: I took a small
break from riding and fundraising (for this great cause) and completed graduate
school, earning my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After many years of attempting to understand
and recognize my own emotions (always on-going, by the way), I am now the advocate/crutch/supporter
for those who need/want that same aid and support that I did. And I
couldn’t be happier. In fact, it’s been
eye-opening for me to see my own growth process over these last few years and witness
my passion and drive grow more to help others….more than it ever has
before. I consider myself quite
lucky. I have certain selfish professional goals that are to help
others find similar feelings about their own lives - whatever those may be - just as I have.
I completed a
year-long clinical internship, working with very courageous men dealing with
co-occurring disorders (substance abuse and mental health). And – while this internship was challenging,
it was an experience that has motivated and prepared me to take on my new
career with upright zeal. I took some
time after graduation and strategically held out to find “the right” job for
me. Now, I am working as a Lifeline
Counselor at Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) – an amazing non-profit
organization in Chicago that empowers everyone living
with or at risk for HIV/AIDS to live open, healthy, and
productive lives. TPAN innovates to deliver peer-led
support programs and collaborative wellness services and to communicate
comprehensive information. TPAN will do so
until HIV/AIDS is eradicated. In essence, I am gladly working myself out
of a job.
My
role, as Lifeline Counselor, falls under the Prevention umbrella to help our
HIV negative clients increase their knowledge about HIV and HIV prevention
techniques, risky sexual behavior, empower our clients to make healthy choices
regarding sexual health and become educated about PreP.
And I
love what I do.
Since
my last blog series, I have wondered what my role in HIV would be. I am a 36-year old, white, cisgender queer
male who is HIV positive. Like many
before me (Peter Staley, Paul Kawata, Ryan White), and even many now (Danny
Franzese, Elton John) - I wanted to use my status (and privilege) to work
toward creating change in what we still face (and continue to face) with this
epidemic. There is power in the
privilege I hold. And, as a mental
health counselor, I hope to eliminate stigma and shame for those living with
this disease…as well as for those who are HIV negative and have that privilege
to stay negative (because YOU CAN).
After
the outcome of the recent presidential election, it is apparent that we as a
community who are no strangers to adversity and activism must continue to fight
for funding and continued research for HIV/AIDS. More than ever, NOW is the time for our generation
to rise up and continue to fight to see HIV infections get to ZER-0.
Join me as I prepare, train and ride for The 14th Annual Ride For AIDS Chicago July 8-9th.
200 miles. 2 days. 1 journey.
Whether you want to physically ride (Molly Meehan-Scuglik & John Wright), become a volunteer for the ride (Karen Meehan) or virtually ride with me, I welcome all the love and support.
STAY
TUNED FOR DONOR SHOUT OUTS!!!!!!
As a
thank you to EVERYONE WHO DONATES, I am setting the bar up this time
around. Trying to be even more
creative!
For now, Rise up!
To
donate: Donate to Tim's Fundraising Goal
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