This installment of Positive Profiles, os always,
talks about a person living the most positive life
with their HIV diagnosis. Usually, we honor our
patient's privacy and keep their name private,
but this person you may already know: my friend
and business partner, Olympic Gold Medal diver
and activist, Gregory Louganis.
In 1988, several months before the Olympic
rot
games in Seoul, Louganis had himself tested for
the HIV virus. Greg's test was positive,-and at
the time he even considered giving up on his '
Olympic hopes. Thankfully, for all of us, Greg
went on with training, sought sound medical ad
vice, started medication and went on to win two
gold medals, despite his infamous dive during
trials, when he hit his head on the board.
After that moment in Seoul, Greg came to
the realization that he could no longer hide his
lifestyle or his disease from the public that so
adored him. Like many of us, Greg's struggles
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12 qnotes Sept 3 16 2011
Positive Prof He
People who are faking the negative out of being positive
by Dale Pierce Practice Manager
with HIV were not just those that were medical.
He has openly admitted that he felt alone, had a
feeling or "who will want to be with me" — fears
that many of us face. Greg rebuilt his confidence
after leaving an abusive relationship and got
himself out in the public eye in other ways,
including acting.
He publicly acknowledged his sexuality for
the first time dt the 1994 Gay Games in New
York City. Greg went into great detail about all
his struggles in his New York Times best-selling
autobiography, "Breaking the Surface," released
in 1995. Since then, Greg has used his celebrity,
passion and determination to achieve so many
great things in many fields.
Greg feels that dogs are man's best friend.
Since his "retirement" from diving in 1988,
although he is still active in training and coach
ing and diving^ Greg focused on a new passion:
dog training and agility. Greg has written books
on the subject, traveled around the country with
his dogs competing and now he is embarking
(no pun intended) on a new canine passion.
V/hen I met with Greg in 2008, we im
mediately struck a friendship that I am so thankful
for in my life. Greg came to Charlotte to deliver
the keynote speech at AIDS V/alk Charlotte and
together he and I produced "An Evening with
Greg Louganis," a question and answer stage
forum here in Charlotte at the Booth Playhouse.
Greg, his partner Daniel, myselt and my husband
Ed had some long talks over dinners about our
desires and passions for a charity that could help
people with HIV and their pets. We all strongly
believe that pets bring healing, and anyone
who has HIV and is suffering and struggling
financially should not have to choose between
medications for themselves or taking care
of their best friend.
Just this last month, our dream became
opportunities present themselves, where you can
start making donations, and possibilities of city
wide fund raising events to come.
Don't hrget to visit our website at
rosedaleid.com and friend us on Facebook
for community and clinical updates.
— Sponsored Content —
a reality! The Greg Louganis Positively Pet
Fund is now an official non profit and will
be kicking off fund raising and services
in the fall of this year. We are hoping to
start small in the area, with the assistance
of our first "supporting" partner, Rosedale
Infectious Diseases, PLLC. Our goals are to
establish a baseline of "need" in the area
and develop a strategic plan that will help
us in meeting the area. It will most likely be
gin with basic vet care, medications, and
food. We have high hopes that the project
will grow to include walking/visitation
services, grooming, and even adoptions.
Currently Greg hopes to come to the
Charlotte area in the fall to do as much
promotion and "hands-on" research as
he can to help make this a successful
project for the HIV community in Charlotte.
We will update you here when volunteer
The pulse of Metro Charlotte...
^ here to serve you!
Your one-stop community-passionate healthcare choice
• Dedicated staff of medical professionals
• Lab-draw station onsite plus pharmacy
• Benefit advocacy for HIV clients
• Home of the Jeanne White Ginder Food Pantry
Most insurance plans accepted, including Medicare and NC and SC Medicaid.
• Offering several discount or savings options for patients without insurance.
Now accepting new patients. Complete service for those affected with HIV
and other infectious diseases, as well as general medicine for the LGBT community.
O Call 704.948.8582 today for more information
^ % or visit our website at www.rosedaleld.com. D
\ Don’t forget to friend us on Facebook as well! nS
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