It's a shot of hope for those with HIV

It’s really hard to imagine what it was like 25 years ago for those who had been diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Back then, the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was considered to be almost certainly fatal. But beyond that, the physical, social and economic pressures on HIV/AIDS patients were more than overwhelming.

There was the stigma, the denial and renunciation by family for some, the expensive medicines that very few could afford, and the hassle of simply finding a dentist who was willing to work in the mouth of a person who was HIV-positive.

It was slightly more than 20 years ago that a group of clergy came together to address some of these issues. They would found the Tarrant County AIDS Interfaith Network.

TCAIN’s mission statement pretty much sums up what it is about: "With a foundation of faith, hope and compassion, Tarrant County AIDS Interfaith Network strives to provide a network of resources and services that address the physical, emotional and spiritual health needs of people living with HIV and other disenfranchised groups."

In addition to its XPRESS MEDS program, in which volunteers deliver prescription medications to clients, TCAIN six years ago established the Geisel-Morris Dental Clinic to provide care for HIV/AIDS patients.

At its annual fundraising event earlier this month, I was emcee for a program that turned out to be an uplifting occasion — one that saw celebration of community and a communion of the human spirit.

Every aspect of the program was moving, sometimes provoking laughter and other times causing tears to flow.

At one point, I introduced a young man whom I met for the first time that evening. I simply called his name and mentioned that he was a client of the agency.

Brad Conway, who appeared shy and a bit nervous, approached the podium and began to speak. The 38-year-old Fort Worth man received an HIV diagnosis in 2004, and he believes he was infected about four years before that.

Because he says it better than I ever could, I thought you should hear what he told the audience that night. The rest of this column is in his words.

"I could stand up here and tell you how great and friendly the staff at TCAIN and the GMDC are, how efficient the programs run and so on. But you know that already; that’s why you are here tonight. So instead I decided to share with you how TCAIN and the clinic have impacted my life.

"Tonight’s theme is 'An Evening of Hope.’ I started by looking for a definition of hope.

" 'Hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear. Hope is protection and help, free from fear and anxiety. Hope is a fundamental component of life, and without hope, life loses its meaning.’

"If you want to see someone lose all hope, tell them they are HIV-positive. All hope, all of it, will be gone in a matter of minutes.

"When I found out I was positive, it was like someone ripped the rug out from under my life. I was scared, afraid and panicked. I knew my life was about to change drastically. What I got from the people around me every day was empathy and compassion. What I needed was someone to give me hope.

"My immediate concerns were: 1.) Finding a doctor and dentist who would treat me like a patient, and a human, not a statistic or a walking mass of bio-hazard; 2.) finding a way to overcome the cost involved with maintaining a higher level of care and prevention than a non-HIV-positive individual.

"TCAIN and the GMDC have provided myself, and countless others, with hope by providing us access to professionals who understand our fears, our needs and most importantly, give us hope. Being in an environment where the staff cares about your well-being, but you are not constantly reminded of the fact that you are HIV-positive, provides hope.

"Personally, for me, knowing that I don’t need to worry about how I will pay to have my teeth cleaned, or a root canal, is hope. The money I would have spent at the dentist is now redirected to cover other expenses that go along with being positive. I am estimating that I have saved nearly $3,000 using the clinic. That is three months of medication for someone without insurance, six months’ rent, a semester of tuition or for some, a year of gas.

"Imagine for a moment if everything you hoped for was taken away. Everything you wanted became unattainable. Now imagine that someone said, 'You don’t need to worry about this one thing, this one aspect; we have it covered.’ That, my friends, is hope. And that is what the staff at the GMDC and TCAIN are providing to HIV-positive patients every day.

"While some may think it is a service that is self-sustainable, it is not. My relationship with TCAIN goes back to before I was HIV-positive. I attended fundraisers and auctions just like this one. I gave my support dollars not really thinking about how those dollars could impact someone’s life.

"When you support TCAIN, you are doing more than supporting an organization; you are doing more than making a donation or getting a tax deduction; you are giving someone like me hope. On behalf of myself, and all of the patients and clients, I want to thank you for your support."