15
nTTTHWSTïnews
Free Massage
F rom
the
G round U p
If you have been
in an auto accident
in (he last 12 months.
Dana Whitley turned his life around by thinking big
Other services
available:
by Tom Stevenson
DOWNTOWN AT 927 SW OAK
ana Whitley knows what it is
like to struggle. He also knows
what it is like to rise above the
toughest battles and not only
persevere but prosper.
Understanding those two things, it is then easy
to understand why the 36-year-old took the time
recently to talk about his life: where he is going
and where he has been. As a man who has been
HIV-positive for more than 10 years, he says he
knows the feelings that accompany a lack of hope.
But as a man who has learned to live with
the situation, and prosper in spite of it, he car
ries a message of hope. The key, according to
Whitley, is learning to think big.
“People always think so small,” he says.
“Even when they think they’re thinking big,
they’re not. I am always thinking big, and not
only about taking bigger chances. I am always
looking at the big picture.”
Those are not the words Whitley always would
liave spoken. When he was diagnosed as HIV-pos
D
Dana Whitley’s arbor company teaches people
maintain and care for their trees
itive, he says he was "ashamed and embarrassed.”
For the next five or six years, Whitley says he
had a job and continued to live life as usual. His
T cell count remained at 750.
Then, things began to go downhill fast.
Whitley saw his T cell count drop to 190, cross
ing the common threshold in the diagnosis of
full-blown AIDS.
He also started dealing with the mental battle.
“I did a lot of dumb things,” Whitley says. “I
lived in a bad neighborhood. I racked up some
thing like $40,000 to $45,000 in credit card
debt. I just didn’t make a lot of good choices.”
Like so many before him—and since—Whit
ley says he simply was waiting to die. But one day
not long after his T cell count fell below the
“dreaded" number, he made a different choice.
“1 went on the cocktail and immediately felt
better, both physically and mentally," Whitley
says. “The side effects were completely gone
after about six months.”
Along with the cocktail, Whitley started
taking antidepressants, and during the next few
years instead of looking at how long he had
before he died, he began looking at ways to live.
A lifelong physical fitness buff, he continued
going to the gym to work out three days a week.
He had been in a relationship for seven years,
and he ended that. He also filed for bankruptcy.
It was a time of renewal. It was a time to start
over.
Whitley had quit working when his health
started to deteriorate, so he made the decision to
go back to school. In 1997, he took out a student
loan and started taking classes at Portland Com
munity College.
Whitley decided to put his forestry back
ground to good use. One year ago, he opened
Emerald Tree, a Portland arbor company.
Shortly after launching it, he got a business
partner who has a degree in forestry and is a cer
tified arborist. Jim Wentworth-Plato and his
wife have become crucial allies as
Whitley continues his turnaround.
Emerald Tree does not just come in
and trim trees or chop them down.
Whitley and Wentworth-Plato teach
people how to maintain and care for
their trees.
“We educate people about trees,”
Whitley says. “A lot of people don’t
know anything about trees even though
they are surrounded by them. We are
there to help them.”
Although the company is quite
young, the owners have purchased a
$22,000 wood chipper and are spending
more than $20,000 a year in advertis
ing. They are serious about what they
are doing.
“Becoming self-employed has done
wonders for my self-esteem,” Whitley
says. “Everything in my life has
changed. I’m never really content, but
I’m happy. I’m definitely happier than
I’ve ever been.”
He says it took him seven years to real
ize he was making the wrong choices.
Once he went on the medication and
simply started kxiking at things different
ly, he says life dramatically changed.
"A lot of people won’t try,” Whitley
says. “I am here to say that people
shouldn’t be afraid to try anything. Peo
how to
ple told me not to go into business for
myself. Today I’m not afraid of any
thing. There is such a huge difference in my atti
tude. It’s like black and white.”
Whitley is a perfect example of what can
happen with what he calls the right “attitude
change.” Today he is single and happy. His
T cell count is about 850. Life is grxxl.
And taking it one step further, Whitley says
he is more than willing to serve as a sounding
board for people going through the same strug
gles he went through.
“I’m willing to talk to people,” he says.
“They need to know what can happen if you
think big. They need to know that they don’t
have to give up.” JF!
For more information about EMERALD TREE or
to speak with Whitley call 503-522-7772.
T om S tevenson is a Portland-hosed
free-lance writer.
Chiropractic
Physical Therapy
Sports Medicine
Rehabilitation
The NW’s best selection of gay erotica, including:
• Every erotic photo book and art book in print
•Every book of erotic fiction and nonfiction
zprtF
&
•Foreign and domestic mags, always at 10% off
•Vintage physique photos and magazines
John's Landing
& Inalatili
503-226-0950
11-b .\K).\-S.\r.j2-6 Sl\\. 220-81 il
V isualize Y our
Beauty
• Personal Image Design
• Hair & Wig Styling
• Specializing in Trans-Formation
• Professional Makeup
• Exp. with feature film & TV
• Friendly Private Salon
CUCIHIflAS
Creations
501
286-7000
Laser Hair
Any Color
Hair or Ski
Discreet
Trans-Friendly
Tan Skin OK!
Ho Area Restriction
Registered Nurse On
ÿst, Conforta^ Af
J os
yo A.s
www pma-nw .com
503-223-3369
2128 N.W. Overton In Portland
natural foods • gourmet treats
•' exotic collars • unique toys
luxurious beds
find us at 108 ne 28th
call us at 503 . 238 . 7793
D ignified pet S ervices
Cremation & Memorials For Your Companion
cMacu G ofi fyJe
• Oregon's Only Funeral Home and
Crematory Exclusively for Animals
• Our Phones are Always Answered
• 24 Hour Emergency Service -
We Transport
• We Have an “Open Door Policy”;
Tours Are Encouraged
8976 SW Tualatin Sherwood Road
Tualatin OR 97062
Phone (503) 885-2211
www.DignifiedPetServices.com
(A Division of Cascade Funeral Directors. Inc.)
Straight to the Point
Body Piercing