Unconditionally: A L.I.F.E. Graduate Blogs

Philip, L.I.F.E. Graduate
& TheBody.com blogger.

Philip D., a graduate of the Shanti L.I.F.E. Program, offered to share a recent posting entitled Unconditionally from his blog on TheBody.com with us. Enjoy:

I think it's safe to say that whenever I start a sentence, "Mom and Dad, I've got something I need to tell you both," they brace themselves for just about anything that might come out of my mouth. My life has, if nothing else, been decorated with a few stunning, life-changing "plot twists," and those two special people have seen me through each one, no matter what.

I know what some of you must be thinking: Is this guy for real? He tells us he's got a loving partner, a stellar physician, a cute dog, has angels dropping in left and right, is strangely grateful to have HIV, and now wants us to believe that his parents are amazing as well?

Guess what? It's true. My Mom and Dad are the kind of people that I aspire to be like. For all the times I've "come out" to them, their love and support comes with zero conditions and believe me, I've put those two to the test.

White House Reception: A Day to Remember

Randy Allgaier with Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Washington, D.C.--Shanti staff member Randy Allgaier shares his experiences from the unveiling of the nation's first National HIV/AIDS Strategy:

What can I say. I was honored, humbled and awestruck by my experience yesterday. It isn’t every day that you get to go to an event at the White House – let alone two- a press event to unveil the first ever National HIV/AIDS Strategy followed by a reception honoring the work of the HIV/AIDS community. And it certainly isn’t every day that you get the meet the President of the United States (even for 30 seconds) and have a five minute chat with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. To be able to share this with so many colleagues that I respect and love was icing on the cake. And while Lee, my sister and many good friends couldn’t join me, they joined me via the White House live stream and saw me too!