#thirdrootcommunityhealthcenter

[wearethirdroot]

We had a good old time at the Flatbush Frolic last Sunday. Thank you #fdconline for creating this opportunity for the community to showcase and celebrate one another! How sweet to be stationed right in front our another neighborhood co-op with community members Billee & Nora! #flatbushcoop #thirdrootcommunityhealthcenter (at Cortelyou Road)

[wearethirdroot]

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. #thirdrootcommunityhealthcenter #milkandhoneybrooklyn @thirdrootclinic @milkandhoneybrooklyn (at Milk & Honey Cafe, LLC)

[wearethirdroot]

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. @thirdrootclinic @milkandhoneybrooklyn #milkandhoneybrooklyn #thirdrootcommunityhealthcenter (at Milk & Honey Cafe, LLC)

[wearethirdroot]

Gerald V.

Age: 59

Preferred gender pronoun: he/him

Neighborhood you live in? I grew up in East Flatbush. I was born at Unity hospital. My family was living on east 37th street and Foster and I lived there until I was almost 17. I went to catholic grammar school just a few blocks away and I went to Saint Francis Prep which used to be in Williamsburg. So then we moved out to Long Island garden city. I loved Long Island, a beautiful place to live. Eventually I moved to Manhattan and I live on fifth street between 1st and 2nd avenue.

Length of time you've lived there: I've been in my apartment on the Lower East Side for 35 years.

Which services or classes do you participate in at Third Root? acupuncture

How long have you been coming to or involved with Third Root? 2 years Tell us your Third Root story! "Four years ago, while some tech company was having a street fair, there was a tent and Third Root had a booth where they were offering acupuncture. They were very nice. I remember they gave me some acupuncture in my ear, and I took their flyer. Time passed and I must have thrown the flyer away but then -- I have insomnia and a few years ago the insomnia was really out of control and I remembered that booth. I knew I'd recognize the name if I typed in Brooklyn and acupuncture, and I found it! I came in and everybody was so wonderful. I look forward to coming here. For a while I was coming two, three times a week. It's made a big difference in my life.Third root's sliding scale makes it affordable. I had some acupuncture done in Manhattan-- it's expensive. With the community acupuncture, there are other people in the room, but it's nice and quiet and relaxing.

Favorite thing(s) about Third Root? I really feel like I'm part of a community. I come here because I have relationships with the people here -- they're warm and friendly. I've been to other places where they do acupuncture in groups but the big difference here is that they have a door and a waiting area. So I can sit in the waiting area and talk to Katherine and have a conversation. Julia or Makeba comes out and we talk about the latest cause or movie. We have a chance to get to know each other. I come here because I want to see Julia and everybody. That's really the biggest thing -- I feel like I'm a part of a family.It's so gay friendly here. I had no idea -- it was just a nice coincidence. But I notice people in the neighborhood and how everybody comes in and it feels like we're very welcomed here by the neighbors. It's a community center.I love to walk around this neighborhood and look at the old mansions. It's old fashioned Brooklyn. The houses are bigger here than where I grew up. Sometimes I'll get a bite to eat, I'll sit out in the sun and enjoy. I love that the Q is just 2 or 3 minute walk."          

What are you up to in your life? I do volunteer work with men and women who are in recovery from alcoholism and  addiction. I've been able to stay away from alcohol and street drugs for 22 years. I've gotten a lot from the sober community, and I want to give back.I'm feel up for it, I love hiking and camping. I really love being in the outdoors -- in the mountains. Some people like the beach, I like the mountains. I like to go camping at gay campgrounds.

How can other Third Rooters connect with or learn more about you? I'm on facebook

Bonus Question! What's a favorite trick you use to stay healthy?               Acupuncture is my best trick. I tell people about Third Root all the time. I'm constantly referring people here and to acupuncture in general.