 |
   
|
  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
My Fabulous DiseaseThe 2010 HIV Cruise Retreat
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Email
Comments
Print-Friendly
Glossary
Subscribe |
If I clear my mind, I can transport myself back to so many fun moments during the 2010 HIV Cruise Retreat. Maybe I'm zip-lining through the rain forest of Costa Rica, or I'm gorging myself at the dessert buffet. The water slide high above the 3,000-passenger ship will always make me smile.
For the 200 people in our group (and even Dab the AIDS Bear), it was something more than a vacation. It included education seminars, AIDS treatment updates from activist Nelson Vergel, author of the new book "Testosterone: A Man's Guide", live game shows just for our group, and shore excursions that tested our spirit of adventure.
There was a minimum of the strutting or posturing you would normally find among a large group of gay men. Instead, there was a vulnerability we shared (body image issues, from lipoatrophy to weight, were empathetically embraced) that helped us feel closer to one another from the start.
Episode 23: The 2010 HIV Cruise Retreat
The cruise is the result of the commitment of travel agent Paul Stalbaum (with the joker cap on, above, with me as Orphan Annie at our group's Red Party on board). Paul not only arranges the cruise details and private shore excursions, he dips into whatever profits he makes to provide a dozen partial scholarships, cash prizes for games, and discounts for future cruises. He's also a man living with HIV for 29 years; to say this event is a labor of love would be an understatement.
Paul also organizes a cruise for straight folks living with HIV, and that group traveled with us on this cruise, which was great. They also have their own cruise trips, and you can find out more about them here.
I hope the spirit of the cruise comes through in this video blog. We all shared something beyond our HIV status, and I believe it was a sense of joy and gratitude for the life that has been given us. Enjoy the video, my friends, and please be well.
Mark
Get e-mail notifications every time Mark's blog is updated.
Visit Mark's live blog at www.MyFabulousDisease.com.
 | ||||
|
|
No comments have been made.
|
Internet search results. Be careful when providing personal information! Before
adding your comment, please read TheBody.com's Comment Policy.)
My Fabulous Disease
Mark S. King has been an active AIDS activist, writer and community organization leader since the early 1980s in Los Angeles. He has been an outspoken advocate for prevention education and for issues important to those living with HIV.
Diagnosed in 1985, Mark has held positions with the Los Angeles Shanti Foundation, AID Atlanta and AIDS Survival Project, and is an award-winning writer. He continues his volunteer work as an AIDS educator and speaker for conferences and events.
Speaking engagements: Mark King is available to speak to groups. Contact Mark about speaking at your organization or event!
More About Mark:
Profile
Subscribe to Mark's Blog:
 | By RSS  |
 | |
Recent Posts:
February 27, 2013 - HIV and Gay Media: The Vanishing Virus
January 16, 2013 - Treating My Facial Wasting With Artefill: A Video Blog by Mark S. King
December 13, 2012 - The Night Don Lemon Hugged Me: A Blog Entry by Mark S. King
November 7, 2012 - On Board the 2012 HIV Cruise Retreat: A Blog Entry by Mark S. King
View an excerpt of Mark's book
To read PDF, click here
Interviews With Mark:
Mark King Looks Back at the AIDS Epidemic's Darkest Hour in the U.S. (May 14, 2008)
This Month in HIV: Crystal Methamphetamine and HIV (August 2007)
Articles by Mark:
Meth Burial (May 2008)
Once, When We Were Heroes (June 2006)
Outliving My Father (May 22, 2001)
Mark recounts how years of caring for friends dying of AIDS prepared him for taking care of his dying father
From The Advocate
AIDS Always Benefits from What We Don't Talk About (April 2001)
For the rest of Mark's articles, click here.
A Brief Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself.
 | ||||
|
The Body: About The Body | Contact The Body | Content Policy | Content Providers | Advertise With Us | Site Map
Remedy Health Media: About Remedy Health Media | Contact Remedy Health Media | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 500 5th Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10110. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.
