Out in the Mountains

Anderson Speaks at AIDS Forumrmm page1

ter), he contends that the failure rate is
primarily a result of improper use rather
than faulty rubbers.

In the third program, attended by 130
people Michael Ferrell moderated a panel
consisting of individuals with AIDS and
their families and friends. “Living With
AIDS: A Psychological, Social and Per-
sonal Perspective,” reminded us that
peoplemust live with AIDS sometimes for
years before they die from pneumonia or
other diseases that the weakened immune
system cannot battle.

The first speaker, Reverend Robert J.
Heam, a Baptist minister and father of
three, was diagnosed with AIDS in Sep-
tember 1987. He encouraged those with
AIDS not to be ashamed, not to feel like
lepers and urged us all to be as supportive as
possible. He said, “All of us live one day at
a time. I want to use my time in a meaning-
ful way—live to the fullest—live today as
if it’s the last day that I live.”

Bob's daughter Lyndra Hearn then
discussed what it feels like to love someone
with AIDS. She began, “ To those of you
who are meeting my father for the first time
he’s simply a man with AIDS. But to me,

he’s my dad, my one remaining parent; he’s
a special friend; he’s a housemate——I love
him very much, and I’m not ready for him
to die.” She credits Bernie Siegel’s Love,
Medicine, and Miracles for her present ac-
ceptance and peace.

Other speakers included: Pat Allen
whose borther died of AIDS in 1984;
Sonny, a person with AIDS , who appeared
on the podium wearing a mask; Sonny’s
lover who was unable to attend.

The final two speakers were Steve
Shepard, Chair of the Board of Directors of
Vermont C.A.R.E.S., and Terje Anderson,
Executive Director of VerrnontC.A.R.E.S.

The fourth program in the “Action for
Life” series concerned “The Legal, Politi-
cal, and Social Response to AIDS.” This
presentation featured Sen. Sally Conrad of
Chitt. Co. and Rep. Bennett Truman of
Chitt. District 7-4. Sen. Conrad is co-
sponsor of S-278, the anti-discrimination
bill currently pending in the Senate. Rep.
ruman is a co-sponsor and leading advocate
of certain AIDS-related legislation in the
House. .Another speaker on the panel was
Timothy Mazur, Legislative Director of the
ACLU in Vermont.

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The final two speakers in the sen‘:
were attorneys Heather Wishik and Dav}
Curtis. Wishik serves on the Governor
Commission on Women, as a liaison tol
governor from the Vermont Coalitiom
Lesbians and Gay Men, and as a coopen
ing attorney for Lambda Legal Defens
Wishik detailed the prejudices and di
crimination experienced by those wi
AIDS or positive HIV tests, e.g., AIDS tel
ing for immigrants. David Curtis, a piiva
practitioner and former Vermont Defend
General , expressed his feelings aboutl
legal crisis surrounding AIDS as follow
“I’mjustvery angry. I’m angry becausel
legal, political, and social response l
AIDS has been atrocious. I’m angryli
cause even today not one single pennyu
of the funds of the state of Vermontl
been spent for the treatment, care, educ
tion, or anything else relative to AIDS. l
the same time there is room for hope. It‘:
hopeful sign that there are people out tht
who have the courage, who have the cot
mittrnent to human rights and individi
rights to sponsor a bill like [S-278].”

The series was a comprehensiveat
informative program on AIDS in the St:
of Vermont. Let us hope that this progn
will help elicit a strong communityt
sponse to a very difficult public problen

L &: M Handyw

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