ALC5 Cyclist Tony Eason: A Thank You to Harpo Productions and Oprah Winfrey

Tony Eason

On 01 January 1994, I realized that there was more to life than: guzzling an expensive bottle of Robert Mondavi Chardonnay, being the belle of the ball, speaking of what others need to work on, and/or sitting daily on the same coach (in self pity). So, I bought a 10 year old Bianchi Road Bike. And I began a 6-month intense cycling training for a cycling event called the California AIDS Ride #2.

In May of 1994, I left San Francisco with $3.00 in my pocket, no idea of how I was going to return, a questionable bike, the fear of failure, and began to cycle (along with 1500 other cyclist) toward West Hollywood. Seven days, 575 miles later, I arrived in West Hollywood. At which point, I realized it is possible to step outside of your normal routine. I realized it is possible to empower yourself while assisting others. I realized that I wasn’t alone in my ideas of creating a better world. And I realized that miracles could occur (after all, I made it back home with $3.00 in my pocket) .

ALC5 Blogs

AIDS/LifeCycle 5 Web Coverage
Daily stories, photos and podcasts
Cyclist Dusty Klass' ALC5 Blog
Dusty is a student at UC Santa Barbara.
Cyclist Gary Cotti's ALC5 Blog
Gary works in reality TV and lives in LA.
Cyclist Jon Garrison's ALC5 Blog
Jon is an HIV positive 2nd year ALC veteran.
Cyclist Tony Eason's ALC5 Blog
Tony is a yoga instructor in SF.
Roadie Midori's ALC5 Blog
Midori is a writer and educator on intimacy in SF.

The AIDS/LifeCycle Podcast

During one's life, there are moments which touch the heart. There are moments which inspire us to continue with our paths, dreams, goals, and intentions. And there are moments which confirm our "humane actions."

Several years ago, as I watched television, I witnessed a severe act of kindness. A woman who was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi., raised on a farm, a victum of physical and mental abuse, who ran away at 13 (only to be turned away from a juvenile detention home), walked on national televison and told an audience of single parent mothers, "pack your bags and call the babysitter because we're going on a vacation to Philadelphia."

The women in the audience had devoted their entire lives to raising their children. Most of these single parent mothers hadn't had a minute to rest since the conception of their children. Most of these women worked to pay the babysitter. And I'm sure that a majority of these women could use some rest.

Well, since then, the acts of kindness and compassion have continued.

This abuse survivor initiated a campaign to establish a national database of convicted child abusers. She has been a big player in the literary industry. She encourages others to take one small step to make a difference in the lives of children. She has provided a better education for underserved students. And, she encourages victims of abuse to "speak out."

And more recently, Oprah Winfrey has again touched my heart and reconfirmed that I'm walking the right path by educating her viewers about the HIV - AIDS Pandemic. Check out her latest: Magic Johnson and The New Faces of AIDS In American

So please remember:
It doesn't matter what you've been through . . ..
It doesn't matter what your age, creed, sexual orientation, economic status, or location is ..
It doesn't matter what "you think."
It only matters what "you do."

So see what you can do - "Today!"