Celebrate Life

Yipes, Its been awhile since I've updated my blog! But, I'm glad to report that things are going very well. I completed what can only be described as the most monumental challenge of the training program. Its called the Celebration Run. And celebrate we did after completing 23 MILES! Yes, I said 23 MILES! It was a long hot 90 degree day, but my team stayed together and there was plenty of water and energy snacks along the course. We ran from Santa Monica High School, to the edge of Marina Del Rey, back along the beach all the way to the edge of Malibu, back onto the beach again and up into Brentwood, and then back to the school. We spotted Captain Awesome and Wonder Woman out on the road and they cheered us on!

But, nothing inspired us more than what was shared before we set off that morning. It was a letter from an AIDS/HIV victim who wanted to tell his story and express his gratitude to AIDS Project Los Angeles for all the services and support they have provided to him in his battle over the years. It was all we needed to remind us why it is that we run and for me, how we should celebrate life no matter our circumstance. Yes, traveling to Italy will obviously be a once in a lifetime for many of us. But, truly, the six months of training and sacrifice, and fundraising efforts, we do gladly and willingly for people like the author of this letter. He is why we run. I've reprinted the letter, as typed, below.

As always, thank you for your support and encouragement. Next stop - Italy!

Best,

Rochelle

********************************

Dear Mr. Thompson,

I have been HIV positive since the first test was available in 1985. I remember going in thinking "If life is fair, I'm a dead man." I was right. When I went in for my results, they told me two things; "you're infectious, and you should get your affairs in order, you probably have 6 - 18 months to live." I thought that would be the most devastating day of my life. Then, like so many others, my closest friends started dying.

I was already an APLA client when I awoke one December morning and thought, Oh my God, I'm going to live, now what? I knew how to get every possible benefit I'd felt entitled to. I even got indignant when I thought I should be getting more. Through all of those years, no matter my attitude, not one person at APLA ever made me feel judged. Thank God, they never told me what they were really thinking! I'd been on disability for a few years already, not using it to any advantage whatsoever. When I decided to change that, I started with APLA.

You guys hooked me up with Voc Rehab. I went back to school for the first time since High School (1981). John Reilly was my first go-to. I must have sat with him 2 or 3 times over the course of almost a year before it finally became safe to consider the possibility of getting off of SSDI and entering the workforce, again. He was so patient and thorough that moving forward became my only option.

Nelson Gomez kept a roof over my head with housing assistance. But he also did more than that. He was constantly reinforcing every little step I took towards Independence. He wasn't subtle about it either. His encouragement often propelled me to take the next step.

I am still a client of the APLA Dental program and intend to be until I don't qualify anymore. You have a great staff over there. They have always made me feel like a Valued customer. I trust them completely! They are patient and caring and my teeth are in great shape because of them.

Jason Roundy was an amazing help when he came into my new job and trained me how to register all of our clients into the new prescription program.

Mr. Thompson, APLA has been the most consistent source of support for services and benefits since the day they opened their doors! APLA has kept up with the changing needs of its clients through all of these years.

I was really afraid of letting go of the security of government assistance for a very long time. I know there are others like me who aren't even aware that a whole second chance at a full life awaits. I'm still in school full time, but I'm also counseling substance abusers with HIV in our community and now find myself sending you clients, myself. Thank you APLA for living up to your word. You have truly been my springboard back to a real life.

Sincerely,

Anonymous