Maurice’s  One
of the worrying factors about writing a column expressing one’s personal point of view is that people reading it can be affected by what you say. The effect one can have upon individuals was recently brought home to me when a former pupil from my past life as a teacher informed me how greatly my teaching had influenced her life. She is now an attractive, young mother telling me how she has been able to pass on some of the knowledge and enthusiasm for music that she had acquired from me to her son who has clearly inherited some of his mother’s musical talents. Although this was an uplifting experience and the flattery came at an opportune moment, as I was making my way though a dark period, at the same time I found it sobering and a little disturbing to realize that my words and actions could have such an impact upon someone else’s life. This led me to an awareness that some readers and therefore my words in this column might be having a similar effect and therefore, my right to express my own opinions carried with it a responsibility to consider the consequences of my words. After
a little thought, I concluded that I had a duty to ensure that whatever I said did not put across messages that might be confusing or harmful. With this in mind I would like to revise what I said in the last issue regarding anti-HIV drugs. Like
many people who have been taking anti HIV drugs for any length of time, I was becoming depressed and said that two years on HAART was enough to take the smile off the face of the Laughing Cavalier I think that was an honest and fair enough comment. However, to go on to say that it was not the disease I was now fighting but the drugs, that they were now the enemy, was going too far. This
was not only inaccurate but was sending out a negative and potentially harmful message. I would like to attempt to set the records straight. However
unpleasant and inconvenient to take and no matter how toxic they might be the anti HIV drugs for me and for many have been life savers; without them I wouldn’t be writing this article and a lot of my positive friends would not be around to read it. You can’t regard someone who has saved your life as an enemy, he has to be a friend and if necessity dictates that he has to live with you, you just have to value the good things he does for you and put up with his unpleasant characteristics. There may come a time when you are able to live without him, but until that day arrives, it is important that you treat and take HAART with care and respect.  Bob
likes me to break up text with a picture or two, which is reason enough to include a photo, and provide an excuse for a quick diversion up Mow Cop where I witnessed, along with hundreds of others, the most hyped non-event of the year. Perhaps I should hold my breath on that remark until after New Year – I could change my mind. From the vantage point of Mow Cop I thought I would see the vast shadow cast by the moon as it spread across the globe during the eclipse and feel the drop in temperature and darkness covering the earth as in Biblical times. Well
it certainly got colder, as Keith Groom, who was with me - inappropriately attired - will testify. As for the shadow and darkness – it was hardly noticeable. But the cloud cover did permit one to look directly at what was happening. This was fortunate, as I had left my eclipse viewer at home. Although visually a bit of a disappointment, I thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a good-humoured crowd. It seemed as if half of Stoke and its dogs were there for the occasion and they were not going to be put off by a few clouds. Our little party made the most of it by enjoying a champagne picnic lunch. So, you see, you can even convert an over-hyped non-event into a fiesta.It
seems fitting to come back after the break (a bit longer than planned) on an encouraging up beat. The lead article I hope has achieved that, but I would like to underline what has been said. Without denying the hard work put in by staff – way beyond the call of duty – none of the events or initiatives could have been realized without our volunteers. Staffordshire
Buddies is a volunteer led organisation and depends upon its volunteers to function. The natures of the tasks made upon the organisation have changed in line with the rapidly altering demands brought about by new treatments for HIV and the impact they have had upon Positive People. Staffordshire Buddies has responded in an exemplary fashion. The composition of the volunteers has changed – most significantly by the inclusion of Positive People to its ranks. Unfortunately it has witnessed (hopefully, only temporarily) a drop in moral for those who see the traditional roles for which they were trained altering or disappearing. I want to send out a clear message to anyone who feels left out or undervalued. Please, please understand, you are the cream of the earth. Each and every one of us has unique qualities, we all have a duty to enable and encourage the skills, experiences and individual qualities of each of us volunteers to move forward together to meet the challenges that lie ahead. I
was going to say something about my current clarity of mind and well being. I wanted to tell you why I seem driven to do some of the things I have done over the past few years. Space and time prevent me, so I’ll just say that I view the knowledge and confidence, gained from taking part in conferences, symposiums and all my endeavours, as tools to help me engage in constructive relationships with others and not as weapons to attack or undermine anyone. I
hope that Andrew will keep in touch and I am looking forward very much to working alongside Janine. Always good to have your comments and contributions - keep them rolling in ! Take care of yourselves, |