Rain sponsors AIDS memorial on World AIDS Day

Rain director said the day was about 'observing.'

By Kiran Kaur

Published Dec. 4, 2007

Cale Mitchell stood onstage at The Blue Note on Saturday and asked the audience to say aloud names of loved ones taken by AIDS as a remembrance. A few people spoke up, but most remained silent, keeping the names to themselves.

The somber, reverent ceremony took place as part of a World AIDS Day event hosted by Rain, a central Missouri-based nonprofit agency that works with people who have HIV, Hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted diseases.

At the event, a poem was read, a candle was lit and a bell was rung in silent remembrance.

"Today is just really about observing," said Mitchell, interim executive director of Rain. "It's the fact that we're not winning. We still have cases that have catastrophic results."

Rain Prevention Education Coordinator Dustin Hampton said people have observed World AIDS Day for 22 years.

Hampton said the event was an opportunity for participants to remember people affected by AIDS and HIV.

"Every one of us has been affected, whether it be ourselves or someone else," Hampton said.

As one of the observance activities, Hampton read Roger Chauvette's "The Secret Within," an HIV-themed poem.

"I thought it was a really good poem," Hampton said. "It really made me think of the message it had."

Hampton said though a ceremony like this doesn't appeal to everyone, the turnout is

appreciated.

The organization released information about World AIDS Day and the observance at The Blue Note through news releases, fliers and public service announcements on the radio.

The organization aims to provide case management services and general support such as housing programs to people with HIV, as well as prevention education and testing to the public.

According to the organization's Web site, the "expanded mission is to provide comprehensive STD, HIV and Hepatitis education, early detection and care coordination for at-risk individuals, families and

communities."

The organization also holds fundraisers and receives assistance from donors and grants.

"We're always looking for money, because there's not enough," Hampton said.

Mitchell said the program's education is especially important.

"The youth has not seen or been exposed to the truth," he said. "They see just taking a pill a day and moving on."

Rain holds events like these to make people aware of where they can get help.

"Some people will walk in to get tested after we've had an event," Hampton said. "Others will follow up with questions."

For those who need it, assistance is available from Kimberly Wright and Christine Varner. Wright is the Medical Services Coordinator for Rain and connects clients with medical care, such as dental, vision and mental care.

She is the liaison between the clients, the agency and the

provider.

"It is easy for someone to spiral out of control," she said.

Varner is one of many case managers.

She determines clients' needs, establishes general-care plans and helps find resources to implement the plans.

She said the primary goal is to see that the clients get their needs, including health needs and even dealing with problems such as getting electricity and food. Some of the clients' problem might be that they are without a home.

"The bottom line is health care and staying healthy," Varner said. "It's hard to be healthy if you're homeless."

Both have constant exposure with several of their clients, and even become friends with them.

"They know they're not being judged, and we've established pretty good friendships with them," Wright said.

But having a good relationship with a client can mean heartbreak.

Varner said losing a client is like losing a family member or friend.

"I've lost my first client this year," Wright said. "I just know I did everything I could do to help the client. We just keep helping other people."

For these workers, dealing with death comes in small steps.

"The smallest things help you move along," Varner said.

Wright and Varner tell people HIV is not the end of everything, and they both offer advice on how to control the situation. They said taking care of HIV involves common-sense health care, including medication, risk avoidance, exercise and a healthy diet.

"People perceive it as an instant death sentence," Varner said. "It's not."

The people who work with Rain said they are amazed with their clients' attitudes. They said their clients are strong in dealing with HIV and in handling the discrimination that comes with it.

"It's an honor for me to go to work knowing that we have clients in mid-Missouri who know that we don't live in a world free of prejudice," Mitchell said during the observance. "I think it's amazing they get by."