Hi all. Good to see this here on DU. I'm interested in participating in the group.

[pinto]

Can't say how active I'll be, I'm currently a volunteer moderator, so I have to be elsewhere on DU at times. But I hope to be as active a participant here as possible.

[Cobalt Violet]

1. Hi Pinto.

I'm interested in participating too. That is if the group will have me. I'm really glad this group got started. Like most groups I'm in my participation is sometime off and on.

[tandot]

2. This is really sad.

a few views...and nobody really wants to res

My dad died in 1992 from aids. By then, I wasn't really close to him and didn't even know he was sick. Difficult relationship...

I was informed that he had died a few weeks after he was buried. They told me he died from "some kind of lung disease" ... only days later I found out that he died from AIDS (from a totally crude and insensitive social worker) and that he had another child...a half-sister...probably HIV-positive, too. She wouldn't tell me.

I wish more DUers would respond...

[Malikshah]

4. I agree, but it also speaks to some of the issues

On the one hand, most folks might not be focused on this issue and tend to avoid DU groups as a whole if they do not have something specific to tie them to it

On the other hand, those who *do* have something that ties them to the HIV/AIDS support-discussion group either through being positive, PWA, partnered with someone who is HIV+/PWA, have lost someone, etc. may not be willing to go on a public forum right out of the gate. They may seek to wait and watch. Observe, etc.

As for "coming out" with one's status--that is a move of bravery in a public forum (Yes, I'm looking your way LV )

As for me--I'm here for the duration, but as ever more a lurker than a responder.

I will say this, though.

I am happy to see this forum created and hope folks will come and join in. It may get tough at times, but in the end I believe everyone will be the better.

[MuseRider]

3. I am glad that this is going.

I probably do not have a lot to add. Most of you know my story. My brother died at 48 of AIDS related lymphoma. I know only a little about AIDS but would be happy to learn more. I used to be an ICU nurse. It was at the beginning when we were just learning about ARC. I took care of a few people with it, they all died of pneumocystis but this was very early before anyone knew much about the disease.

I would offer any support that anyone needs, at least as much as can be given in a forum between strangers.

[tandot]

5. When my dad died, I looked through all his paperwork and discovered

that he had another child. I went to the social worker in charge of the whole thing and she just said "oh...Mr. ..... the guy who died from AIDS" ... It was 1992, I haven't seen him in four years. I didn't know...I was never told...I just wanted to see what is going on. It was a shock. I never found out what happened to my half-sister. I remember asking "is she alright???" ... I never got an answer.

He survived a heart attack when he was 45. It was a horrible experience. He died 10 years later from AIDS.