In 2000, thanks
to Wendy Arnold and PEP/LA
occurred while living here in Madison in 2004.
Ben Banks who is
another long-term survivor
and friend, spoke here at the University of Wisconsin Madison for World AIDS
Day. Upon telling us he was a spokesperson for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric
AIDS Foundation, I asked about Jake and told
Ben briefly of our
friendship. I was told that Jake was now working for his Mom's foundation and
speaking
Nationally. I was ecstatic beyond words and so proud of Jake. I am humbled that
I somehow played a small part in Jake finding his voice and niche' in
the fight against HIV/AIDS. In yet
another amazing turn of events, my dear friend and Producer of the
AIDS documentary The Fire Within,
Leanne Whitney participated in this year's AIDS Walk Africa. I asked her if she
had seen Jake. They indeed had spent time together on the walk and formed an
amazing bond. Now, I was blown away at what a small world it truly is. Learning
from Ben that Jake had
relocated back to Los Angeles I felt the time was close for our reunion. I
called and asked if he'd be willing to surprise Candice (she was instrumental in
our original connection) and speak with me at Crossroads High School in Santa
Monica, California. Although it wasn't quite the surprise we had planned, as
Candice saw Jake skateboarding before I got there, we indeed spoke briefly
together for Madeleine's class. It was an honor like no other to have Jake tell
a portion of his story and then introduce me to the students. That weekend my
good friend's Erin and Scott
Hart and I met with Jake for a day in Santa Monica to take in Ashes and Snow
and some good grub at the Cheesecake Factory in Marina Del Rey. I am thrilled to
have had this story come full circle. Over the course of the last five years,
our life paths have taken us down many roads and the reunion was that much
better. Jake is a most remarkable and blessed young man. Now 21, he has lived a
life not for the faint at heart. Jake has overcome so much adversity in his
young life including losing his Mother and Sister to AIDS while dealing with his
own diagnosis at birth of being
HIV positive. Despite it all, Jake has survived
and transpired into an amazingly vibrant, diverse and healthy young man. Jake is
continuing a brilliant legacy, in his own style of course, that his Mom
Elizabeth did so very well and with an immense amount of passion and conviction.
Jake travels the globe to speak on behalf of Pediatric AIDS. This August (2006)
Jake and I arranged for him to visit Camp Heartland for the first time. It was
incredible sharing the time with him as well as introducing him to the camp
staff and 'face-to-face' to friends of mine on
www.onetoughpirate.com! Thank you
Jake for your friendship and support! I'm indeed honored and blessed to call you
my friend.
Friends Jake Glaser,
and
Da Pirate showin how we survivors do! We have a combined 67 years of living with
HIV/AIDS!
Malibu, California-2006
To err is human, to ARR is pirate!" Go Bob! Your heart is strong and full regardless of any pain.
~ Jen
I just want to say thank you for being such an amazing inspiration to so many people, including myself. You are an amazing human being and this world is extremely blessed for you to be a part of it. Thank you.
Photo 1:
Jake and Da Pirate chowin at da Cheesecake Factory
in Marina Del Rey, CA
Photo 2:
Fat and happy with friends
Erin, Scott
and Jake
Photo 3:
Jake, Candice and Da Pirate at Crossroads High
School-March, 2006
“At such moments, you realize that you and the other
are, in fact, one. It's a big realization. Survival
is the second law of life. The first is that we
are all one.”
~Joseph
Campbell
Jake Glaser,
Da Pirate and
Scott Hart
throwin em up in Santa Monica, California-2006
Jake Glaser on Rachel Ray part one
Jake Glaser on the Early
Show
Jake Glaser on Rachel Ray
part two
More links
to news and stories about Jake Glaser:
Jake
Glaser shares hope with an HIV-positive
youth
on the 2006 AIDS Walk Africa.
Learn more
