A Tribute and a Raspberry

I want to pay tribute to Rick Barnes, a fellow blogger. I am so impressed with the sophistication and the range of topics of his blog. I would like to ask him to do a "workshop" on blogging at Gayway in Vancouver. I'd sign up! The following link will take you to his site.

http://queerthoughts.blogspot.com/

A friend chatted with me in the doctor's waiting room the other day. He was very concerned, apparently, a doctor at this particular clinic told him to go back to work. The doctor cited HIV is now a chronic managable disease and that his lab numbers were very good. I have heard this doctor say this before. He spouted the same rot at the unveiling of the AIDS Memorial in Vancouver.

My friend said he is probably doing well because of the fact that he does not have the stress of work. He has not worked for years and even the thought of returning to work scares him.
Thanks doc!

I have had problems with this doctor in my few years here in Vancouver too. He seems to feel the necessity to tell you with an air of authority and superiority what you should do and don't ever assume to talk back if you feel you have a say in your own health program.

HIV is an episodic and cyclical condition that allows long periods, perhaps, of health and a sense of well being. I have had to work to maintain this status. Some days are better than others. This doctor obviously does not know what it is like to live with this disease. On this point alone, I think he ought to be more senstive to people.

If he can't do that than he should go and work for one off the insurance companies, at least there his attitude would be more appropos not to mention appreciated. He could also continue his high life of fancy clothes and continue to pretend he is god's gift to the male world and in particular the gay community. Although he might find his income less after all he makes his living off us poor blighters who are HIV positive.

Do I sound bitter? Well, I don't want to feel as though men like myself should be treated poorly. Some of us do work, some of us handle being HIV positive better than others. So what? What I am trying to say is no one knows how much energy it takes to live with this fucking illness.

Those of us who are HIV positive and able to find work with an understanding employer are fortunate. I know I have been putting my resume out there and have had little success. Some afternoons I am so exhausted and my head aches hurt so much that I am glad no one has called.

So here is a raspberry to Dr. Joss De Wet!