TRAVELING FOR WELLNESS
My Travel Story
My name is Patrick, and I’m an independent fashion designer from Kentucky, now living in New York City, and I’d like to share with you the short version of my story and why I’m asking for your help.
In the Spring of 1993 I was diagnosed HIV positive. From the time the epidemic started in the 1980’s, I’ve lost 8 closest friends, with the most recent loss being my dearest friend “Pooch”, in 2019.
Which just happened to be the same year, I got this really great job doing what I love.
Up until 2020, I worked 40 to 60 hours a week as a contractor for a fashion technology company. Then, like thousands of Americans, I caught covid, the office closed for almost 6 months, and we had no clients. Then, when we were finally allowed to return to work, the company was sold, and my services were no longer needed.
Although, that position may have been the best job I’ve ever had in my entire life…I don’t miss the camaraderie..I don’t even miss the work, because I’m still doing what I love to do from home.
The thing I miss the most is the dancing. After a long day’s work, I would turn up the Sonos, and dance on the rooftop terrace of the office. There were times when co-workers, and even clients would join in. Some days, I would even dance my way out of the office as a way to shake off the stress of the day.
But, there’s an upside to all of this. Turns out that the job was highly stressful for someone in my condition. My blood pressure elevated, I gained 47 pounds, and I used vodka to help me sleep. So being terminated was sort of the blessing in disguise.
Well, that was over a year ago.
Now, I’m taking a much needed and long overdue hiatus to focus on my wellness.
7 years ago, I attended a two week healing retreat. During those 2 weeks I lost 10lbs, and I returned home distressed, able to sleep, and I no longer needed sleeping aids, and to this day I still eat clean healthy foods.
It’s been 30 years since my diagnosis, and I’m doing well, but I’m in need of another retreat.
This is where you come in.
I’d need your help to cover the cost of a two-week stay at a healing retreat. I’ve saved enough to cover the cost of my travel expenses. But, the treatment cost a few thousand dollars more than I can manage alone. With your generous donation, I can get the assistance I need, that will help me stay healthy and alive, hopefully for another 30 years.
And to show you how grateful I am for your support, I will document every step, as is allowed in respect for the privacy of others, and share images, videos, and stories with you through email or direct messaging. My hope is that I’ll be able to attend wellness retreats at least twice a year, someway, somehow. Please help! Because, I’m just not ready to stop dancing…
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$ 5,000 USD
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Accommodation
$ 4,500
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Immunization/ Vaccine
$ 500
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