Participant Profile: Rochelle Smalling
“I was there for the program I wanted to attend that day, looking at all the art and pictures on the wall, and my friend asked me if I wanted to be a part of the Bike Rally. I had no previous experience with it before, but I met with Trevor [for the first time] and signed up. It was done on the spot. I thought, ‘this is something I could do,’ you know? ‘Contribute. One way I could give back.’”
The above is the whole story of how Rochelle Smalling, first-year rider and PWA community member got engaged with the Bike Rally. For him, he simply knew it was something he wanted to be involved with: “I wanted to be part of that team and commitment, and stand up with others who share the same passion for [HIV/AIDS awareness],” he says with resolve at our Zoom meeting. For Rochelle, the attraction for the Bike Rally really begins with his own desire to “give back to the community, step out of [his] shell, and stand up for something bigger than [himself].” In being asked what unique experiences he’s had that others may not have, in relation to the Bike Rally, he said, “Coming from the Carribean, a lot of people don’t want to be ‘too close’ to other people who are positive [have AIDS]. The same goes for those who identify as gay. For me personally, I’ve never been involved with this community, but here in Canada, I’m going to go for it. I’m finding myself and I want to give back. This is me and this is what I’m passionate about.”
Looking forward to the Bike Rally this summer, Rochelle is excited to be in an environment that allows him to “build… connection and bond with others.” He is excited to “be among others who share the same vision, and be a part of the movement.” He is also enthusiastic about interacting and socializing with everyone: “I’m just going with the flow!” He says he’s not anxious about anything in particular, perhaps just nervous, but that it could be interpreted as masked excitement as well. In a contented tone he says, “I know I’m going to be among good people.”
As the conversation shifts to hope for the future, and what it might be like to look back at his participation in the 2021 Friends For Life Bike Rally, Rochelle confidently states, “I want to be able to say that I’ve done it, that I was part of it. I want to be the person who tells everyone that they should be involved. I want to make an impact on someone’s life.” In conclusion, Rochelle reflects that he is, “doing something good for others and for the community. We are all on the same mission.”