For nearly 3 years, we have had our lives disrupted and changed by the Covid pandemic. Very few of us have not felt its impact on some level. It has changed the way we think, act and go about our everyday lives.
There is another pandemic, however, that has been affecting the lives of millions, for more than four decades. It is the AIDS pandemic. Since it first surfaced in 1981, it has taken nearly 40 million lives. Today, almost that many continue to live with it. Thanks to medical advances, the death rate has gone down markedly. However, the quality of life that many have, due to the amount of medication they must take, is not always easy. The lives of not only those who are infected but their family and friends, is challenging to navigate and stigmas continue to exist to this date around the cause of AIDS and who is impacted the most.
Since 1987, December 1st has been set aside as World AIDS Day. It is a day to not only remember all of those we have lost but to remember those who continue to live with HIV/AIDS, 24/7.
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Throughout my life, I have tried to be positive about everything, no matter how unpleasant the circumstances might be. I am eternally grateful that in one respect, I am negative - my HIV status. Despite a false positive test after a horrific bout of Shingles in the 1980's, I have remained HIV Negative.
I have always felt that God kept me safe for a reason. He wanted me to reach out and help those, not as fortunate.
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When Rock Hudson appeared with Doris Day at a 1985 press conference in Carmel, California that I attended, I saw up close the ravages of AIDS on the face and body of Rock, who would pass away only weeks later. I was in shock and at a loss for what was suddenly happening to people who were friends and acquaintances as well as co-workers.
An afternoon spent at Elizabeth Taylor's home in Bel-Air talking about AIDS and her work on behalf of so many who were suffering and dying, made me realize that I had to do something and could not sit back and leave it up to others.
While working in Los Angeles I volunteered to drive people to medical appointments or to deliver food to their home. For some, they became recluses, afraid to leave the safe confines of their residence for fear of appearing sick and engendering fear amongst those who were hearing misinformation provided by media and those who were misinformed.
Returning to New Hampshire, I realized the level of fear that many felt for those who were struggling for basic needs and to feel loved and cared about.
Fortunately, in New Hampshire, individuals with enormous hearts in various parts of our great state, heard the call and began to form organizations to help those infected and affected. Locally, Merrimack Valley Assistance Program sprung to life in the 1990's and went a long way toward changing those misperceptions that were still rampant.
Initially some of these organizations were opened in order to help those infected live out the last months of their lives with dignity. From those roots sprung programs to provide free testing and other support programs including education.
Between 1989 and 2000, I attended more than 100 funerals and memorial services for friends that I lost. Others lost even more of those they loved, and you never became numb to this onslaught. These were people with hopes and dreams, never just a statistic.
For 12 years, from 1997 until 2008, inclusive, I focused solely on what I could do in New Hampshire to make a difference. I served on Boards, I volunteered, I became Executive Director of two organizations in our state, working seven days a week if necessary.
In my mission, I was able to enlist the help of a great many "names" who happily made the journey to New Hampshire to lend their name and support to what we were doing.
Everyone from Olympic champion, Greg Louganis to the legendary Carol Channing, made time in their busy schedules. Carol even made house visits to some of the clients who were too ill to attend her show. She held their hands and sang a song or two, urging them to keep fighting and to know that they were loved. For several, it was almost the last memory of their lives.
On December 1st, pause for a few minutes and remember those we have lost and those who are still with us. Send a prayer their way or a bit of positive energy in their direction. It's the most beautiful gift you can give during this season of giving.
