Presently, there are few services that offer "emotional" support for
people who are infected or affected by AIDS.  I am trying to set up a
network to address this.  Recently, I have received e-mail from people
all over the globe, who I correspond with on a regular basis,that are asking
why
we are inundated with treatment, theories, personal opinions etc. and
lacking the "gut level" communication.  Often, there is no one who
understands what it is like to live with a disease that fosters
alienation, denial, societal discrimination, and feelings of despair,
rage, fear, depression, and monumental frustration!  It is not uncommon
to stuff feelings in an effort to protect ourselves from others, and in
retrospect, to protect others from being affected.
For anyone who has ever spent many a sleepless night pacing the floor
wishing that was someone there just to listen, or unload, you can
identify with the helplessness that accompanies "does anyone really care"
feelings.

If there is anyone who can be considered "experts" on AIDS, then it most
certainly is people who are living with the disease.  Why do we not share
with others, our experience, strength and hope??  I have attended dozens
of workshops, bereavement groups and conferences to address the family
dynamics issues, and have had more people come up to me and say..."There
is no one who I can talk to.  I would talk to my family or friends BUT I
don't want to hurt them, or frighten them with every little pain I
experience."  Our loved ones are the hardest people to let it all out
to.  On a personal note, I have lost my husband, two very close friends
and will soon lose another friend who I have taken in to live with me.  I
know the emotional torment that is a given with AIDS.  I see it every day
of my life.  Communication is the language of the heart that heals
suffering, and ausages some of the fears.

If anyone would like to belong to this support group, you can remain
anonymous, and feel safe in letting go.  Please write to me personally if
you have no one to talk to.  I am more than willing to lend an open ear:
My e-mail is:  a...@uoguelph.ca

I have received numerous letters from people who are interested in
getting involved in "psycho-social" issues for the sole intention of
supporting others.  This group is not meant to discuss issues related to
theories, treatments, medical opinions, debate over controversies.  It is for
dealing with the inner part inside of all of us, "emotions"; that all too
often get stuffed down in our selfless efforts to protect those we love, go
unnoticed because we think we need to appear tough and brave all the time,
are misunderstood because people who don't live through similar
experiences can't really identify what it is truly like, or seldom are
validated for the simple fact that everyone seems to want to believe that
you're coping, even though inside you feel shattered.  What is important is
that they are our feelings, and being real, they are neither right nor
wrong. They just....ARE.
Reducing stress plays a large role in staying healthy.  Everyone needs a
safe place where they feel they can vent, just...let it rip!  At the gut
level, this disease wreaks havoc with one's emotions, and it is high time
we started talking about it.  The triumph of the human spirit is
heightened when spirits communicate with each other, through the language
of the heart.
Sometimes family member and close friends are the hardest people to talk
to about our fears, guilt, anger, hope, dreams, sorrow, and our beliefs
in God, miracles, higher-powers, mantras etc.

I would really encourage anyone who is interested in joining such a
support group to please respond to me.  You can choose to remain
anonymous or not.  Personally, I choose to break my own anonymity because
I am heavily involved in AIDS teams, boards, volunteer services, public
health and speak publicly when ever I have the opportunity.  This disease
is especially close to my heart, and I have suffered multiple losses this
past year.  My husband was the first.  I presently use my home to write
out of and have an AIDS patient living here in an apartment on the main
level.  He lost his partner and has been going through great lonliness.  
He says, talking is the key to healing the pain.  So let's talk.  If we
ever hope to fight this disease, then we have to unite with heart.  

For anyone who is either infected or affected by AIDS you may contact me
personally through my e-mail address.  Your input and suggestions would
be greatly appreciated.  I soon hope to have a new group posted and am in
the process of trying to figure out all that is required to establish one.

Thanks for your support,

Sincerely,

Annie Cameron

a...@uoguelph.ca

: I have received numerous letters from people who are interested in
: getting involved in "psycho-social" issues for the sole intention of
: supporting others.  This group is not meant to discuss issues related to
: theories, treatments, medical opinions, debate over controversies.  It is for
: dealing with the inner part inside of all of us, "emotions"; that all too
: often get stuffed down in our selfless efforts to protect those we love, go
: unnoticed because we think we need to appear tough and brave all the time,
: are misunderstood because people who don't live through similar
: experiences can't really identify what it is truly like, or seldom are
: validated for the simple fact that everyone seems to want to believe that
: you're coping, even though inside you feel shattered.  What is important is
: that they are our feelings, and being real, they are neither right nor
: wrong. They just....ARE.
: Reducing stress plays a large role in staying healthy.  Everyone needs a
: safe place where they feel they can vent, just...let it rip!  At the gut
: level, this disease wreaks havoc with one's emotions, and it is high time
: we started talking about it.  The triumph of the human spirit is
: heightened when spirits communicate with each other, through the language
: of the heart.
: Sometimes family member and close friends are the hardest people to talk
: to about our fears, guilt, anger, hope, dreams, sorrow, and our beliefs
: in God, miracles, higher-powers, mantras etc.

: I would really encourage anyone who is interested in joining such a
: support group to please respond to me.  You can choose to remain
: anonymous or not.  Personally, I choose to break my own anonymity because
: I am heavily involved in AIDS teams, boards, volunteer services, public
: health and speak publicly when ever I have the opportunity.  This disease
: is especially close to my heart, and I have suffered multiple losses this
: past year.  My husband was the first.  I presently use my home to write
: out of and have an AIDS patient living here in an apartment on the main
: level.  He lost his partner and has been going through great lonliness.  
: He says, talking is the key to healing the pain.  So let's talk.  If we
: ever hope to fight this disease, then we have to unite with heart.  

: For anyone who is either infected or affected by AIDS you may contact me
: personally through my e-mail address.  Your input and suggestions would
: be greatly appreciated.  I soon hope to have a new group posted and am in
: the process of trying to figure out all that is required to establish one.

: Thanks for your support,

: Sincerely,

: Annie Cameron

: a...@uoguelph.ca