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From: Rob.Bates@p1.f381.n634.z3.fidonet.org (Rob Bates)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: Australian AIDS News
Message-ID: <27500@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Date: 27 Sep 89 19:47:23 GMT
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Archive-number: 1268

PEOPLE LIVING WITH AIDS (VICTORIA)

(Reproduced with permission from Melbourne Star Observer #105, 22 Septmeber  
1989 (C) MSO and OZ Media Ltd)

This month the People Living with AIDS program in Melbourne celebrates its  
first anniversary.  In just twelve months, the program has developed from an  
idea into an active lobby group for all HIV infected people in Victoria.

"Basically, we have three main functions", said Peter Charlton, the program  
co-ordinator. "First, and most important, we provide people with up-to-date  
information on a whole range of important issues from current treatments and  
drug trials to services and resources that are available.

"Second, we try to help each other through peer support networks or just on a  
one-to-one basis. Perhaps the most important resource for people coming to  
terms with their HIV infection or AIDS is other people who have been through  
similar difficulties and are now living with, rather than dying from, AIDS or  
HIV- related illness.

"Finally, we have become a recognised "voice" in the community.  In just a year  
we have had incredible successes in advocating on a wide range of issues  
affecting plwa's.  We have done this at all levels of government, as well as in  
the media and the general community.  Most significantly, we have been able to  
advocate withing the Victorian AIDS Council, making sure that policy decisions  
in all other program areas are sensitive to the needs of HIV infected people."

This all sounds very positive, but the program does have its problems.  Not the  
least of these is reaching those who could most benefit from the information  
and peer support programs.

David Stephens is the program's information officer. "At the moment, we are  
reaching only about 10 per cent of those people who are known to be infected in  
Victoria," he said. "It is a real problem contacting people who could really  
benefit from the information we publish in our newsletter POSITIVE LIVING.

"We realise that it must be part of the process each person living with HIV or  
AIDS goes through - that they must make the move themselves. It's just a worry  
that in the meantime they are missing out on valuable information which could  
really help them."

A major factor keeping people from contacting PLWA comes from perceptions in  
the gay community in particular.

"I'm amazed that so many gay men trash the VAC - and PLWA simply because it is  
a program of the VAC", said Peter Charlton. "I think a lot of people, either  
through anger or denial or whatever, are very negative about the services  
available through the VAC. While the PLWA program is part of VAC, it also has a  
very strong independent voice. We advocate as much within the VAC as anywhere  
else. It's really sad that for all sorts of crazy reasons, people are denying  
themselves access to important - maybe even life-savingh - information and  
support."

PLWA has a broad membership base. It is there for all people at all stages of  
HIV infection, as well as their lovers, close friends and family members. The  
membership list is confidential.

The program's newsletter POSITIVE LIVING is available to all people on the  
mailing list. Being on the mailing list does not mean that you need to be  
involved - that decision is entirely up to the individual. The program exists  
solely to provide support and information to those people who most need it.

"It's important for people to understand that they can be involved at their own  
level of committment," said Peter. "I've heard people say that they won't  
becopme involved in a political group, but we are more than that. If you want  
political involvement, it's there for you.But if you don't, then you needn't  
even know about it. You can just be on the mailing list, get a regular,  
informative newsletter and that's it! It's entirely up to each individual."

Further information about the PLWA program can be obtained from program workers  
Peter and David on +61 3 417 1759, or by writing to 117 Johnston St,  
Collingwood, Victoria 3016, Australia.

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