Global Travel Health, Colorado's largest and most experienced provider of international travel medical health care and foreign travel vaccinations is sponsoring one of its patients at the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, Germany on July 31-August 7, 2010.
Growing up in Canyon City and currently residing in Denver, Rye Wilcox was diagnosed 27 years ago with AIDS. In the early 90s, Wilcox was being treated at Denver Health and wasn't getting the necessary personal care and medical treatment. At that time he decided to go to see Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D. of Rocky Mountain CARES, an affiliate of Global Travel Health, who is a certified HIV Specialist and Head of Medical Affairs for Health Connections International. Dr. Young cares for patients in Colorado as well as in the developing world on his frequent trips oversees. Wilcox has been seeing Dr. Young for over a decade and attributes his health and being alive to his care and medical treatment.
"Dr. Ben is the most wonderful human being I have come in contact with since I was diagnosed with AIDS in 1983, said Wilcox. "His encouragement, medical knowledge and bedside manner, is like no other health professional I have ever seen. Ben listens and helps me solve problems and find solutions to my health and everyday well being."
Dr. Young played an instrumental role in getting Wilcox back into skating, a sport he started when he was 11 years old, but had to quit due to a horrible accident when he was 15. After years of suffering from severe depression and alcoholism and really wanting to give up as many people who suffer from AIDS do, Dr. Young worked with Wilcox to find an activity that is good for his mind, body and spirit. Almost 35 years later, Wilcox continues to create art and has begun skating again and has already won two gold medals at the Colorado Championships and one gold and one silver medal a the ISI World Competition. He rarely drinks anymore and feels as happy and healthy as he has ever been.
"We are proud to sponsor Rye at the 2010 Gay Games and champion his figure skating competition efforts," said Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D., partner at Global Travel Health. "We are thrilled with his progress and know that skating will give him a healthy activity and keep him on the survivor list for years to come."
Wilcox has spent the past 10 years being a crusader and spokesperson for HIV and AIDS throughout Colorado trying to education people, especially young gay men about the disease and its life altering stipulations and repercussions.
"The HIV stigma is still evident in Colorado, but with people like Dr. Ben I can continue to push on as a survivor and spread my message about the disease and protection as well as compete in a sport that I love." Wilcox adds.
About Global Travel Health
For over 20 years, Global Travel Health has offered HIV care and vaccinations, medications and advice for all travelers: corporate, vacationers, adoption related travel, college students, missionaries, volunteer groups, and many more. The experienced staff of nurses and doctors at Global Travel Health can help any patient suffering from HIV or any international traveler with their health care needs. They are a fee-for-service clinic and do not participate in any insurance claim filing. Global Travel Health is located in Physicians Office Building One, next to Rose Medical Center in Denver. For more information visit: www.globaltravelhealth.com or call 303-468-6986.