November 9, 2007
HE'S GOING TO DISNEYLAND!
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Caleb keeps on swimming |
Along with some fired-up Campaign to End AIDS activists, HIV-positive toddler Caleb Glover was finally allowed to make a splash at the Wales West RV Resort in Alabama this September, after being denied entry to the facility's pool and showers. That triumph was just the beginning of the ongoing adventures of everyone's favorite (now) 3-year-old activist. His foster mother Silvia Glover—who is far along in the process of adopting Caleb—informed the Update that she was contacted by a lawyer from the U.S. Justice Department about investigating the possibility of a suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act against Wales West. The U.S. Justice Department made clear to the Update that its is still in its earliest exploratory stages, but who knows? We could be reporting on a Caleb's Law in the future.
Meanwhile, the Glovers are going to Disneyland! Brian Hodes, who is organizing a nationwide bike ride on World AIDS Day in honor of Caleb, is also hammering out details to bring the Glovers on an all-expenses paid trip to Disneyland for the closing ceremony of another AIDS bike benefit called AIDS LifeCycle. So far Disneyland has agreed to supply free tickets, and Hodes is working with donors to finance hotel and airfare.
Hodes said that when he spoke to Mrs. Glover and saw a picture of Caleb, he realized the importance of bringing Caleb to Disneyland. "Bless these people. We need more people like this in the world," Hodes said of the Glovers, who have had more than 60 foster children. "This is just my opportunity to pay it forward." Hodes decided to dedicate a World AIDS Day bike-ride to Caleb after hearing about his Wales West saga on Good Morning America. "I just couldn't believe this innocent child could be treated the way he was," Hodes said.
"Caleb will just eat this up," Silvia Glover said. "These riders are people of great compassion. This child has never been to anything like this. There has just been no opportunity or the money, especially with my husband's illness." Dick Glover has terminal cancer, and Caleb is also facing serious health problems. The family is considering installing a feeding tube since Caleb isn't eating well. Still Silvia said, "We will do everything we can to make sure Caleb gets to California."
To find out how to participate in the World AIDS Day bike ride or help Caleb get to Disneyland, e-mail brian@teamutac.com.