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་་་་་་ ་་་་་་་༦ ་་
Gay Peoples Chronicle
Healthwise By RANDY T. GEARHART
My concern about AIDS and its devastating impact did not begin with my recent appointment as Executive Director of Health Issues Taskforce (HIT). I have worked with HIT since it be gan two years ago. During the formative months we sat around the conference table discussing what we, as concerned people, could do to educate and prepare Cleveland for this epidemic. I remember hoping all our hard work, long nights, brainstorming, and concern with AIDS would be a waste of time. A cure would surely be found, and soon.
Now, two years later, I realize my naivete in thinking a cure would be forthcoming quickly. The Cleveland statistics have gone from several cases, when HIT started, to 32 diagnosed cases here, half of whom have already died. Nationally, since 1980, over
11,000 cases have been diag nosed, with over 5,000 already dead. These figures continue to rise and seem to double every 9-10 months. AIDS is here and is killing. In the past two years I have worked with AIDS/ARC patients. I have seen them overcome what seemed insurmountable odds. I have watched them shrivel away and die. I have shared tra edy, pain, joy, and nope with these patients I now call friends.
Pete (name changed for confidentiality), born and raised in Cleveland, was given many opportunities by his family. He chose to move to San Francisco to live. While there he began feeling weak, experiencing night sweats, diarrhea, and a persistent cough. These symptoms continued several weeks until Pete came home to be
with his family.
Pete became worse. Admitted to the hospital, he went through a battery of long and painful tests whose emo tional strain and physical demands made him feel weaker. The results finally came in--he had AIDS.
The shock was more than his family could deal with. They rejected and isolated Pete. His father, who had once favored Pete, now refused him housing, food, money, medical care, love, and emotional support.
Improving during his hosPete was discharged after 4 weeks. But he had no home, no money, no family and was still in a weakened condition. The hospital social worker referred him to HIT for help. A
HIT volunteer provided temporary housing.
Pete began receiving welfare benefits and later, SSI He moved in with an acquaintance, but this did not work out. An attempt to bring Pete and his family together failed. Still rejected by them, he moved into a "welfare flophouse," a hotel for transients, where he lived in a weakened, very ill condition. His diarrhea intensified, causing dehydration. He was twice hospitalized for severe ilnesses before his application for Section-8 low income housing came through.
would lie in bed babbling When he was
August 1985
deal with guilt association and death.
not childlike, he became. Social workers/psyabusive and angry, spitting at the nurses; and at times so violent he had to be re-
strained in bed.
There was no further hope for Pete. His family was asked to put him on a TCP (Terminal Care Plan) so that if his heart stopped his life would not be prolonged by machinery or drugs, and could die with dignity. They refused to take any respon sibility. The hospital was thus forced to use all means to prolong Pete's life. When he went into respiratory arrest he was put on a respirator. His heart was restarted three times.
It had been only 6 months since Pete was diagnosed as having AIDS. He had gone from 150 pounds to the skinand-bones of 78 pounds. From a handsome young man, he became a frightened, old-looking man with a pained look in his eyes. Pete's death released him from his pain.
I've told Pete's story because it is important that everyone realize you are not diagnosed as having AIDS and then die. AIDS victims go through pain, trauma, and often indescribable experiences. Pete is only one example of the effects this disease has. People must realize that AIDS is here and that closing our eyes will not make it go away. AIDS is ugly. It will kill.
The Petes of Cleveland need your help and support.
he
Pete's life seemed once didn't see what he couldo
He
again to be picking up. now had a clean, safe living environment, and began to regain some of over 60 pounds he had lost.
One night Pete woke up, having trouble breathing. He was rushed to the hospital, where his breathing was brought under control.
When his condition began to deteriorate Pete was moved to the Intensive Care Unit, where he grew worse. He became paranoid, thinking the medical staff was trying to kill him. From time to time his mind reverted back to that of an infant and he
to help AIDS patients because he didn't feel able to work with them directly. I explained that his statement is a common misconception in Cleveland. There are many ways to help and support AIDS patients without direct contact. We do need volunteers as support "buddies" and for direct involvement with patients. But there is so much more than can be done. Some basic needs are:
1. Support people to act as "buddies," ongoing or occasional.
2. Clergy for spiritual healing of AIDS patients, to
chologists/psychiatrists to help establish group therapy programs for patients, families, friends, and significant others.
4. Landlords who are willing to give housing, free or at reduced rents.
5. Medical personnel to provide educational training and training in caring for AIDS patients at home.
6. Artists/graphic design people to help produce professional brochures, pamphlets, fliers, posters, and other material.
7. Experts on insurance and government programs to advise patients about social security, welfare benefits, and medical payment of bills.
8. Typists to help prepare educational material, articles, and other information for distribution.
9. Fund raisers who are creative in ways to raise money for this good cause.
10. Effective writers to provide articles and other written material for print by the media.
11. Telephone callers to contact people and to do surveys and canvassing.
These are only a few examples of the talents needed. No one reading this article does not have something to give, some way of helping. Even if it is simply writing a check, give time or any of the talents mentioned. We can all do something for our community.
The Petes of Cleveland need your help. Open your eyes, and don't wait until one of your friends becomes a Pete, or you become the next Pete. Contact HIT at 651-1HIT, or write to Health Issues Taskforce, P.O. Box 14925, Public Square Station, Cleveland Ohio 44114.
Perhaps two years from now I will look back and see that a cure has been found and can say, "Cleveland cared and I made a difference. Will you be able to say the same?
h
Randy T. Gearhart is Executive Director of the Health Issues Taskforce.
HELP WANTED:
Looking for retired, unemployed interested RN's, LPN's, and/or experienced home health aides who would want to provide home care for persons with AIDS either in their own home or the person's home. Also looking for individuals willing to provide housing on a temporary basis for persons with AIDS who are ambulatory and able to do own self care.
Education and training for care providers will be made available.
Your interest obligates you in no way.
Please contact:
Health Issues Task Force
P.O. Box 14925
Public Square Station Cleveland, Ohio 44114
-or
call: T.R. Wilson,
M-F, 8:00 AM 5:30 PM, 844-3360
KEYS
COCKTAILS & COMPANY
1028 PROSPECT AVE. CLEVELAND, OHIO 44115 PHONE: (216) 566-0060
Gay Educational and Awareness Resources Foundation
Cleveland Gay Holline (216) 651-7111 Foundation Office (216) 651-1999
Ohio Dept Of Health AIDS Holline
1-(800) 332-AIDS
Community Center 2100 Fulten Read (V/2 black south of Lerain Ave)
Mailing Address P.Q.Box $177 Cleveland, OH 44101
Free VD Testing
Ohio Health Department Gay Health Consultant Buck Harris announced recently that free and confidential VD tests will be given at two area gay establishments this month.
Testing and screening will be available at the Club Baths on W. 9th on Friday August 9, from 7 to 9:30 pm and at the new Man's World on Wednesday August 14, from 8 to 10 pm.
The screening is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health and the Cleveland Health Department.