Terry’s all-gold
I would like to say a huge thank you to Terry Gee and his partner for doing
such a factual and positive documentary about life with HIV (Terry Gee: Living
With HIV, screened 7 November). Not only were old myths about this illness
bludgeoned, but for once on television, gay men were shown for what they really
are; normal people living their lives as best as possible. I remember originally
reading about Terry in Positive Nation back in the summer [Four Hundred Days,
PN 113] and was really impressed by his whole attitude.
Even though the sadness of this programme tugged at my heart-strings, and
it wasn’t long before the tears were streaming down my cheeks. I can’t
recall a time when I have ever seen such a genuine, loving couple. As an HIV
negative gay man, I am 100 per cent sure that this programme will teach far
more than schools or any other organisation, about HIV; the illness of our
time. I would like to wish Terry and his partner Rob all the very best for
the future and to thank them for being so brave and having the heart to
share something so very personal.
Lee Johnson, Somerset
Testing television
We watched channel Five’s documentary on Terry Gee with much interest
and concern. The bravery Terry and his partner Rob showed when they learned
of their positive test results was very moving and showed just how much these
guys love each other. As a long-standing gay couple of 23 years, we feel they
made a very brave choice to go on camera, especially as they were going through
this terrible illness. We wish them both all the very best luck in the world;
they really are two remarkable people.The programme made us wonder how many
other HIV positive gay people, and anyone else, have to live with this condition
with nobody to turn to. Thank goodness Terry and Rob have supportive families
and friends, but we guess that many others are not so lucky. It’s tragic
in 2005 that some people are unlucky enough to have nowhere else to turn.
Surely anyone with a heart would like to do something, however small to help?
Nigel K Pedley and Tony G Bishop
The flipside of TV?
After watching the BBC’s Panorama: Love Hurts on 16 October, which was
all about how the STI epidemic is overwhelming Britain’s sexual health
service, I was shocked that HIV was not a main concern. HIV has not gone away.
The government is not doing enough to highlight that HIV is a big problem.
It’s OK to be told that HIV is a chronic illness, but it does not justify
the fact that the uncertainty and fear is still there. I have been HIV positive
now for over eight years and it’s not been easy. We’ve seen more
and more new cases of HIV and support centres are now struggling to make the
funding last.When you’re HIV positive and very ill it’s hard to
even get financial help; DLA is almost impossible to get now. I know this
HIV positive woman who is in her late 50s. She has worked all her life and
has been very ill with HIV-related illnesses and does not even get £50
a week to live on.I also feel that many forget the ones who died of Aids.
I fundraise every year at my local pub and a lot of people even think HIV
has gone away.
Paul James, Berkshire
Addicted to love?
I think the article in your October issue
dealing with compulsive sexual behaviour [When Too Much Is Not Enough, PN
116] had something missing. I’m talking about the organisation Sex Addicts
Anonymous (SAA). My first therapist had gone through the same pain and powerlessness
I was in and he suggested the self-help group SAA to me; many therapists don’t.
I am now recovering from a lifestyle that was against my principles, needs
and dreams after attending SAA meetings and following some steps. If anyone’s
interested, have a look at www.saa-recovery.org to find groups in your area.
Davide C, Brighton
Et tu, O2?
I’m an 02 customer and, like many people living with HIV, rely on my
phone for medication alarms and storing medical contact numbers. My phone
recently stopped working and I was told it was due to “atmospheric condensation”
and therefore not worth repairing. No alternative solution was offered, and
02 told me it was neither their fault nor problem. I was then cut off. I tried
to explain the nature of my illness and the importance of a working phone
to help with my independence but to no avail. I had a further negative experience
with a senior manager with 02, when I was trying to explain how important
the phone was to me. He told me threateningly: “Don’t you dare
bring your disability into this. It’s nothing to do with us.”
The disability department at 02 has now stepped in. I even had to do a full
disclosure to them for them to consider that HIV was to be considered a disability
or special need. In the end, one worker at the disability department took
pity on me and found some sort of compromise. Interestingly, none of the 02
call centre staff even knew that they had a disability department.
Name and address supplied
We contacted 02 to ask them to comment, but at the time of press, we had not
received a reply.
Success in the states...
Returning from a recent visit to the UK, a friend of mine introduced me to
your
magazine. I found the August 2005 [PN 114] to be informitive, inspiring and
entertaining. Thank you for providing a vital resource of information. I would
be happy to distribute the magazine to local clinics here in New York City.
Robert Brandon Sandor, New York, USA
...and Uganda, too
Thanks to God that I picked up your magazine in Kenya. It’s very good
for my organization, House of Hope, that offers people living with HIV in
Uganda training, treatment, counselling, exchange tours, and many other activities.
I just wanted to let you know how valuable you are to us here. Many thanks.
MACHO GEOFFREY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
HOUSE OF HOPE, UGANDA
Write to:
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Please include your address and phone number although these need not be published.
Letters may be edited for length. Views expressed in letters are not necessary
those of PN or the UKC
