AIDS sufferers need help, compassion every day

Sat., Dec. 6, 2008

Paul Graves Staff writer

So many of us voice the sweet sentiment, “Wouldn’t it be great if we would celebrate Christmas every day of the year?”

It reflects our deep desire for people to offer good will and peace to everyone, every day.

Far fewer of us say, “Wouldn’t it be great if we celebrated World AIDS Day every day of the year?”

But I believe if we remembered World AIDS Day every day, we would also celebrate a daily Christmas in unique and productive ways.

I purposely wrote this column on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day 2008. It’s important for me to remember the 2.1 million people worldwide who died of AIDS in 2007 in some symbolic way.

I also chose to atone in some tangible way for how easy it is to forget those who live with AIDS in the Inland Northwest. I wish I was the only person with a faulty memory about this disease, but I have far too much company.

My intent today is to address the thousands of people of faith in the Inland Northwest: WAKE UP, PEOPLE OF FAITH! HIV/AIDS IS STILL WITH US!

I write out of my Christian roots. But regardless of what faith-label we might use, our God knows by name those who suffer because of HIV/AIDS.

According to a helpful article published in this newspaper on Dec. 1, there are about 750 people in Eastern Washington who live with HIV/AIDS. In North Idaho, it is estimated that about 150 persons live with the disease.

That means there are almost 900 people in the Inland Northwest who are vulnerable to all kinds of infectious conditions. Add in their family members, and we’re talking about a great many people impacted by HIV/AIDS.

One song that United Methodist congregations have in our songbooks is “Here Am I.” It’s a meddlesome song that is meant to make us squirm in our pews. Verse 1 goes like this:

“Here am I, where underneath the bridges, in our winter cities homeless people sleep. Here am I, where in decaying houses little children shiver, crying at the cold. Where are you?”

We are called to serve the vulnerable in society. It’s a hard challenge to meet, and we don’t always do it well.

How does your faith tradition call for you to respond to people in need? Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or whatever other tradition you may acknowledge as your own – we all have our demands to serve those who need compassion or physical support. The most vulnerable among us.

The “Christmas season” is traditionally a time for our American culture to fire up our charitable impulses. Given our economic turmoil, charity is both needed and eagerly received in this season. But as much as charity is welcomed, justice is even more deeply needed.

Justice is far more elusive than charitable giving in any season. Because, frankly, justice is far more difficult to achieve.

It may well begin with one person’s “change of heart” about those who live with HIV/AIDS. But justice for them also involves significant and common-senses changes to the social services system.

Most people with HIV/AIDS struggle financially, emotionally, socially and spiritually because of the heavy stigmas still weighing them down.

Justice will have a much healthier life expectancy when churches, mosques, synagogues, home faith-groups and storefront congregations make conscious decisions to invest a portion of their time, talents and money to make any kind of difference.

Do you want more information on how you or your faith community might better serve folks living with HIV/AIDS?

In Spokane, a good place to call is Spokane AIDS Network, (509) 455-8993 or (888) 353-2130.

In North Idaho, you can call North Idaho Aids Coalition, (208) 665-1448 or (866) 609-1774.

It may be a call that brings peace and good will to someone every day, not just on Dec. 1 or Dec. 25.

The Rev. Paul Graves, a Sandpoint resident and retired United Methodist minister, is founder of Elder Advocates, an elder care consulting ministry. He can be contacted via e-mail at welhouse@nctv.com.

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