Last Saturday, Olympia celebrated World AIDS and HIV Day with an afternoon event at the Olympia Center.
I attended with intellectual curiosity, interested in updating my knowledge and writing about AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), the disease caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Instead, what I received was a special experience of sharing food, acceptance, inclusion, autonomy, equality, equity, and love in our community. Fortunately, I always carry tissues in my pocket as I was repeatedly moved to tears.
A large room in the Olympia Center was decked out in red with a FREE spread for lunch. Men (excuse my use of this gender word if incorrect) were dressed in exquisite red outfits – gowns, long lacey red skirts, high heels and the MC sported a gorgeous beaded jacket. I loved it because I love clothes and fashion possibly as much as they do, and unlike them, it is not something I feel comfortable admitting or flaunting! I was greeted with a warm welcome, curiosity, and shared business cards. We wore red ribbons, the symbol of solidarity for HIV and AIDS, one of the first ribbon campaigns. This was a gathering with purpose and passion and solidarity. I felt completely welcomed, comfortable and included, an unfamiliar experience at such an event among strangers.
The celebration was organized by PCAF = Pierce County Aids Foundation, which has an active service office in Olympia. Its CEO, Ace Robinson, spoke eloquently. He did not talk about the disease and treatment. He talked about celebrating individuals, and bringing equity to a community historically unsupported and excluded. He shared that HIV outcomes are better in Rwanda than in the USA, as our healthcare system fails 45% of those with the disease. He emphasized the importance of removing the stigma of this disease and of clinicians sharing information, especially that Un(detectable)= Un(transmittable). And he introduced OLOS, Our Lives Our Stories, their new oral history project of PCAF.
With emotion and courage, Viki read her poem about her experience and her life story through tears that spread around the room. As a child, she was bounced from one foster home to the next until she was adopted out of pity, followed by drug abuse and recovery. She finally survived all of that and the HIV she contracted in those years.
Her story was a vivid demonstration of the power of sharing as a tangible way to teach what AIDS is rather than with a didactic slide show.
A six-person survivor panel followed that included three men and three women. These people, who use a variety of pronouns, presented a united team despite hailing from backgrounds as diverse as a straight and highly educated elected official to gay men infected from 8 to 36 years.
One of the men who has lived with HIV and Hepatitis C for 32 years shared his story. Yob Benami said he considers himself to be a teacher for his doctors, many of whom are speechless when they look at his chart.
If they have not looked at his chart, Benami said he “fires” them. He wants his doctors to know and treat him. YES! He has survived so much, including:
I share here his tools for overcoming the hurdles of healthcare challenges. They are some of the best I have ever heard:
The day ended with 2 songs from the Broadway musical Falsettos, sung by the master of ceremonies and his long-term friend from Olympia. Harlequin Productions will perform a benefit for PCAF in the spring.
Stay tuned for this fantastic musical and more on HIV as we continue this series, Infections 101.
Debra Glasser, M.D., is a retired internal medicine physician who lives in Olympia. Her laughter is infectious. Got a question for her? Write to her at drdebra@theJOLTnews.com
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andersonwrit
Love, love, love this new column and columnist!
K. Anderson
Wednesday, December 7, 2022 Report this