Sunday wrestling card a benefit for PARN
An HIV diagnosis is a life-changing moment and former aspiring wrestler Steve Blair leaned heavily on the Peterborough Aids Resource Network (PARN) to get through some tough times.
Now Blair, a Little Britain native, is trying to give back by hosting the inaugural Smash Stigma wrestling card Sunday at The Venue to raise awareness and funds for PARN.
Smash Wrestling is Ontario’s top independent wrestling company and its top star Petey Williams, also of Impact Wrestling fame, will headline the five-match show which kicks off at 5 p.m.
Blair dabbled in pro wrestling with independent circuits in Ontario a Texas but hasn’t wrestled in several years. He was diagnosed with HIV three years ago.
“PARN has been the bridge between me feeling lost and alone and not knowing what to do,” Blair said.
PARN gave him people to talk to and a support system. It was important, he said.
“Just knowing there is help and there are a lot of people in your situation,” Blair said.
“They gave me the confidence to accept my truth not only for myself but to be able to stand there for others as well. I wanted to bring some of that acceptance and joy and healing to other people because they helped bring it to me.”
It’s not easy to handle such a diagnosis on your own, he said.
“First of all is the fear. Having to understand the specifics of it and the science of my body. Then I had to find a way to tell those that I care about. It changes people’s opinions of you pretty quick when you tell them something like that,” said Blair.
“You start to perceive your life a little bit differently when you think it might be limited or your health has to change,”
PARN was so influential in his life Blair wanted to give back. He created Smash Stigma to raise awareness that people with HIV can lead healthy lives and also raise some funds.
“I wanted to bring that awareness to the community and do it in a fun way with wrestling which is my passion, too,” he said.
If the event goes well, he said, Smash Wrestling is open to doing more.
“Hopefully there will be many more,” Blair said.
The event will also feature some entertainment from performance artist Charlie Petch and drag queen Barbie Jo Bontemps.
“There will be a little flavour thrown into the wrestling as well,” Blair said.
Tickets are $15 and available at www.ticketscene.ca or at Chumleighs, 339 George St. N. More information is available at www.wrestlingwithstigma.org.