Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!seismo!ukma!wuarchive!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!apple!usc!ucla-cs!Rob.Bates@p1.f381.n634.z3.fidonet.org 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 Sender: news@CS.UCLA.EDU Organization: FidoNet node 3:634/381.1 - Big Tedd's BBS, Armadale Vic Aust Lines: 76 Approved: aids@cs.ucla.edu 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. -- Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!noao!asuvax!stjhmc!3!634!381.1!Rob.Bates Internet: Rob.Bates@p1.f381.n634.z3.fidonet.org