FAMILY SECRETS
hospital services. Family services have clearly got their act together." There is almost a sense from some of interviews that a trip to the clinic is
enjoyable rather than a chore.
Thomas continues: "Because of the findings of the report, Strutton
has now revised its support plans to focus on the whole family, rather
than previously where attention was directed more at the HIV positive
tenant, individually."
"We have to start thinking about providing supported housing for
HIV positive young people who want to move away from home," he adds.
"Some have led very protected lives; in one extreme case a teenager
has never been allowed to chop food or cook for fear that she might cut
herself and 'infect' other family members with HIV."
More immediately NCB has launched the UK Forum for Children with HIV and
Aids, and schools will be targeted to make teachers more aware of the
realities of HIV in young people and the family.
what other parents have to say
Parents outside of those interviewed in the Strutton report would seem
to agree with many of the findings.
Robert is a parent who currently uses the London HIV family centre, Body
& Soul. He is also a governor at his child's school. He says: "My
youngest son, aged six, is positive. He knows he's ill - he's suffered
a lot from TB. But I don't feel the need to talk
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about HIV and Aids specifically. It has to evolve naturally. The problem with
