My 30 years experience with pre AIDS and later AIDS has brought both major sadness as well as challenges which, with hard work, could become “positives” for me and, hopefully, others. During the early years of the crisis, and before anti-retroviral therapies existed, we had to rely on managing what was called the “co-factors” – in other words prioritizing one’s mental and physical health. After surviving late-stage non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1994, I was an emaciated, weakened, middle-aged man who could barely walk. Gradually, some strength returned and I learned to appreciate the rewards of body-building.
My first gym-based training consisted of walking on a tread-mill. I eventually progressed to building strength and endurance and I soon began to enjoy my daily hours “working out”. Becoming and staying fit grew to be more important than any other activity. Gradually, I replaced toxic, destructive behavior with what I call “my healthy addiction” in other words going to the gym. My ability to compete in the over 60 body building class at the Gay Games represents the culmination of thirty years of struggle. It is a perfect metaphor – and reward for – being healthy.
Being of assistance to those less fortunate can only be achieved if one is healthy. No better symbol exists for “thriving with AIDS” than competing in an international event. Such an opportunity would not exist for me absent the Gay games. Consequently, I thank the Federation of Gay Games’ organizers for giving me an opportunity to attend, compete in and enjoy the camaraderie of this life altering experience.
Read in full HERE.
Update: Silvin won a gold medal in the over-60 category in Cologne.
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