Today is the kick off party for the 2024 Hill Country Ride for AIDS. I’ve done all 25 years — I don’t think I’ve ever done every inch of the Ride, but I’ve participated every year.
I thought I’d ask about something to unite people. I’m raising money for the Hill Country Ride for AIDS. It benefits 9 agencies that help people affected by HIV and AIDS. Below are some stories of people who have been helped.
One of the agencies that benefits from the Ride is the Wright House Wellness Center. Here's a story from one of their clients:
Here's the story of a woman helped by The Wright House: "My name is Annette Y. K. and I recently began receiving services from The Wright House Wellness Center. In a nutshell THE WRIGHT HOUSE lS CHANGING MY LIFE! I have drudged through 15 long years of medical negativity, mental anguish, and no help for my daughter’s stress level and emotions. The Wright House has addressed all of these issues and many more without once making me feel uncomfortable, outof-place, judged or a burden. The Wright House helped me see I was not alone. And my beautiful l5 yr. old daughter, Jessica, is able to release years of pent up anger, hurt, rejection and pain for the first time in her life. To see her smile again, to hear her sing again, and to see the spark coming back in her eyes; these are things I was afraid I would never see again in Jessica. The Wright House is a safe place for her to talk with people who understand. That alone takes an unbelievable amount of weight off my shoulders and my heart. Once I opened the door at The Wright House I felt like the most important person in the world. A Peace came over me that I had not felt in years. I was greeted with smiles and handshakes by everyone I encountered. The staff was so kind and gentle. I was touched by their unconditional care. And when leaving I was given a hug or two. That’s very rare in my life."
Maria is 27 years old. She had been positive for several years when she discovered she was pregnant. She moved into Roosevelt Gardens, where she had a nice place to call home with rent she could afford. With the support of Project Transitions’ HIV Services and the David Powell Health Center, she had a healthy pregnancy and her baby boy was born healthy and HIV negative. Now she is back at work, and thanks to you has the resources and support she needs to care for her son.
We want to keep people like Maria healthy. People with AIDS deal with so many other illnesses that exacerbate each other and the agencies we fund address the full care continuum. Staying healthy pre-empts expensive illnesses that make people miss work or lose their jobs – it keeps people going. For every $100 spent on keeping people healthy and on their health care, we save $1,000 on expensive emergency room visits. It just makes sense not just for our hearts, but also for the whole community.
We want things to get better — we know things can get better. Please, can we be good to each other? The best thing about the AIDS Ride is that it is a day of the way you wish the world was. People help each other, people cheer each other on, push each other up hills…. It is just beautiful. I want to live in that world. Please donate to the Hill Country Ride for AIDS.
I've been a part of it every year it has existed. Never done every mile, but I’m there every year. Been virtual the past couple of years, I’m thinking about maybe riding the shortest one this year, if my health allows. Because helping my neighbors makes my life better, too. The cause is, of course, a fantastic one; but the Ride itself is wonderful & beautiful - it is one day of the way we wish the world was. If you’re in the Austin area, you should think about joining.
And if you know me, you know that I’m just somewhat of a U2 fan. Just a little bit. And my beautiful boys, without knowing anything of the Ride, have captured it perfectly:
There is no them
There’s only us
There’s only us
There is no them
There is no them
There’s only you
There’s only me
There is no them