POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: J.R.E. on September 09, 2006, 08:36:51 am
-
Good Morning Everyone !!,
Can't take too much time hear. We are both running a little behind schedule, but we will be leaving herein just a few minutes for the Aids walk of St. Petersburg,Fl.
Looks like the weather will hold up, unlike the last couple of mornings with the thunder storms. Will let you know all about the days events, later in.
Have a great day----------Ray
-
I'm rooting for ya Ray......makes my feet hurt just reading this. ;)
Here's to hoping you generate lots of funds. :)
-
Hey Ray!
Hope the walk is a big success! My first AIDS Walk was 1991, in Atlanta...except I didn't walk, I was 'pushed' in a wheel chair.
Glad you are able to participate.
Hugs,
Alan :-*
-
Ray,
I did this in San Francisco a couple of months ago and had a nice time. I had some friends fly up to "support" me, along with my partner (of course!). Let us know what you thought of the day.
John
-
Hi Ray,
I am so happy that you are able to participate in this event! ;D
I have never done an AIDS walk before. I keep trying to find out when the AIDS walk is here, in West Palm, Fl.
There is one here every year. I usually end up finding out about it AFTER the darn thing :(
I am going this year for sure! I just have to keep a closer watch out for the date!!
I am also in a wheelchair, but I really, really want to go on one.
My sister will take me and push if I get tired. ;D
I just have one arm to push my chair with. I mean, I DO have two arms, it's just that one(my left) was left damaged by the stroke.
I hope you enjoy the day!!!
Peace & love,
Kelly
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g142/angels4kelly/ATT233715.jpg)
-
Good Evening Everyone !,
We had a wonderful and special day today ! It started at about 7:15 this morning, when the alarm clock went off. Ed woke up, and I decided to turn over, and catch some additional snooze ! The next thing I knew, it was about 8:15, Ed shook me and said,that we neede to seriously start thinking about getting ourselves ready to make the 40 minute drive to downtoen St. Pete
Just like last year, I didn't really want to get out of bed, but eventually got myself motivated.
We arrived at St. Petersburg, about 9:15AM. There was already quite a crowd there, and finding a parking spot, was next to impossible, however, after a 15 minute search, we finally found one.
There was no doubt, this years event was larger then the last years. This would have been the 3rd St. Petersburg Aids walk.
Upon arriving, the MC was already stating that they had exceeded their expectations, in achieving the monetary goal this year, and a lot of the funds, were still coming in.
If I had heard him correctly, I believe they managed to collect over 55,000 this year. I will have to wait, until they update their website, to see the final results. They had claimed , there were around 1,500 walkers this morning, but I have a feeling that count is low, and it was closer to 2,000.
Todays walk, benefits "FACT" For AIDS Care Today (FACT)
"FACT is a full service HIV/AIDS resource center that has bilingual information. The principle service offered is medical financial assistance for doctor visits, lab work and medications to employed, HIV positive individuals residing in Pinellas County, who are not on Disability, Medicaid or Medicare. Additional services available include: a weekly support group, library with over 4000 books, periodicals, audio and videotapes, computer and internet access, monthly collaborative dinner, Personal Needs and Food Pantry. To promote awareness and HIV/AIDS prevention FACT works closely with diverse aspects of the Tampa Bay Community. "
AIDS Service Organization of Pinellas, Inc. (ASAP)
VISION: "To be the comprehensive community resource for persons infected or affected by HIV/AIDS in our service area"
"MISSION: To provide high quality, culturally competent, compassionate services to people infected or affected with HIV/AIDS and offer a client focused continuum of care that includes: prevention services, client education, community resource education, support and advocacy, counseling, case management, and limited financial assistance."
At approximately 10:15AM, the walk began.
It was a pretty warm day today. I managed to put on my sun-block before starting. (Ed did also)
I believe there were about 50 Marshals, along the route, that had water, juice , bananas, for those that needed the hydration, and most needed it. I believe it was above 90 degrees today, and the humidity was high.
It took us about an Hour and 30 minutes to complete the walk, and we were bothpretty much soaking wet with perspiration !! , but then quite a few people were. The walk went very well, my feet and legs held up !
This was once again a very special walk for Ed and Myself. Bedides remembering, those that have past on from Aids, and those affected by it, another reason it was important to us was because of our dear friend Bonnie, that passed on earlier this year, from liver cancer. She wanted so much, to walk with Ed and myself this year. So, we like to think, that Bonnie was walking, right along side us today!!
There seemed to be much more media their today, which is always great. there were some conducting interviews.
The R.O.T.C ( righteously outrageous twirlers corps) performed again this year again!! They were great, and brought a lot of smiles to peoples faces. They opened up their rifle twirling, with "I am what I am "
The "Doublemband performed today also, and were actually, very good. They had given everyone a sampler of their CD.
http://doublemband.com/index.html Some of their music can be hear at this site also.
After the awards and recognition,Ed and I went out for Chinese dinner.people did not hang around long after the walk. Things seemed to have thinned out quite fast. I believe it was just too warm today!
The final surprise today, was after we got home. I decided to go to the St. pete aids walk website,They had posted some pictures of last years walk. They had posted pictures of last years walk, and I never really got the chance to look at all the pictures.
So, imagine mine and Ed's surprise, to see us in one of the pictures from last years walk. :D
http://www.aidswalkstpete.org/2005walk.pl?file=P9240096.JPG There are plenty of other pictures to view also.
I hope this link works. Ed and I are in the center of the enlarged photograph on the top of the page. We are looking toward the left
I am standing behind the older gentleman, and my loving other half (Ed) is to my right, with the sunglasses on. We had no idea until this evening, that we were part of the pictures of last years events.
There were plenty of pictures taken, perhaps we will make it on some of them, from this years events.
For all those , that have never been to an "Aidswalk" in your community, I highly suggest, that you try to schedule one. It is certainly a moving event, and you will walk away from it renewed !!!
Thanks everyone------Ray
-
Hello Kelly,
Heres a site that may give you ( and others info as to where, when aids walks, are taking place in their community... ;)
http://www.aidswalk.org/
Ray
-
Ray,
Congratulations on doing the AidsWallk.
You and your honey are a nice looking couple!
Hugs
Teresa
-
Glad you had a memorable experience Ray!
Thanks for sharing with everyone.
(And BTW you two absolutely make a great-looking couple ;))
Take care,
John
PS If i can ever figure out how to attach a photo, i'll hijack your thread a bit and post a pic of my other half and myself at AIDS Walk San Francisco.
-
Okey-dokey...let's try this out....
[attachment deleted by admin]