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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA must see documentary about AIDS: How To Survive A Plague
This documentary chronicles ACT UP and other activists during the 80's and 90's turn AIDS from a death sentence to a manageable condition.
It brings back my memories of working in a hospital while I was in the Army. Everyone was frightened as hell. We had hospital staff refusing to treat patients who were suspected of having the disease. I was ordered to wipe down everything a patient may have touched...which included a seat that his mother had sat in, but he did not.
When the AIDS test first came out and suggesting it to anyone was an insult. I remember that it seemed like the stigma would never go away.
More than once, I was the only one (aside from the doctor) who would treat the patient. I was always astounded by this because I felt we had a moral obligation to help anyone who asked for it. Period.
I'm also remembering the friends I lost to this horrible disease.
Watch this documentary. It's currently on Netflix. It has also been nominated for an Oscar.
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)Lone_Star_Dem
(28,158 posts)For mentioning the documentary here and for your personal reminiscence of the early days. A lot of people either didn't have first hand contact with people who were sick, or are we're too young at the time to understand how horrible sick people were treated by society in general.
I've not seen it yet, but I have been meaning to watch it. Now I will.
Thanks again.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)It's really an excellent documentary.
Lone_Star_Dem
(28,158 posts)Both the ones who knew it back then and all the ones who don't realize the wonders they did today.
They, each person who went above and beyond to help find the right medications, are true hero's.
LeftInTX
(25,368 posts)Heidi
(58,237 posts)Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)I lived through it too in DC.
Thanks for posting though.