9 10 13078 https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2709/2004_FrontLine_vol17no2.pdf e142890c5f345e61e4cb9efff452d5d5 PDF Text Text Volume 17 Issue 2 Major Planning Process About To Be Launched Summer 2004 Inside this issue: Fundraising News 2 Fundraising continued 3 Education Update 4 Support Services/ EHOP Update 5 News from the Volunteer Department 6 Here and There 7 Parting glance 8 AIDS Thunder Bay is taking a lead role in the Northwestern Ontario Community Planning Initiative. The Community Planning Initiative is mandated by the AIDS Bureau of the Ontario Ministry of Health. It is one of the implementation mechanisms of Ontario's HIV/AIDS Strategy to 2008. The intent of the planning process is to look at how the prevention, care and support needs concerning HIV/AIDS are being addressed in our region, how might that be improved, and draw up a plan to carry us into the future. Co-Chairs of the planning process will be Dr. Peter Sarsfield, the Medical Officer of Health for the Northwest Health Centre in Kenora, and Michael Sobota, Executive Director of AIDS Thunder Bay. Janet Adams has been hired as the Planning Coordinator. Janet reports that more than thirty health care partner agencies have expressed an interest in participating in the planning process. They represent agencies from all over Northwestern Ontario. An inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place in Thunder Bay on September 8, 2004. Dr. Robert Remus, of the University of Toronto will be presenting epidemiological information about HIV/AIDS in our region. Representatives from the AIDS Bureau will also be in attendance. For further information, or if you wish to participate in the planning process, please contact Janet Adams through AIDS Thunder Bay: 345-1516 or jan.adams@shaw.ca.. FIRST NOTICE OF AIDS THUNDER BAY'S 2004 AGM AIDS Thunder Bay's 2004 Annual General Meeting will take place in November. The date and location are TBA. AIDS Thunder Bay will be celebrating the conclusion of our 19th year of work in the city and region. Come and receive our Annual Report, hear our guest speaker, participate in a terrific silent auction and elect our Board of Directors. To be eligible to vote at the AGM, you must become (or renew) your membership 30 days prior to the event. We are requesting that all memberships be brought up to date by October 15. �AIDS Thunder Bay has confirmed what can only be described as the largest event in ATB history! We have booked the group R.E.M. to perform at the Fort William Gardens on November 14, 2004. This event has not yet been announced to the general public. For the time being this is still confidential! Tickets will only be available to the general public at the Fort William Gardens box office. For the ticket onsale date please stay tuned for our official public release which will be held on Monday, September 13 2004. We are pleased to announce that the net proceeds generated from this special event will stay in our community to support AIDS Thunder Bay’s programs and services. This concert will not only be a tremendous fundraising event for ATB but it will also be our way of giving back to the community for their years of support in our on-going fight against HIV/AIDS. This event provides a new entertainment opportunity for Thunder Bay and the surrounding area to have fun and experience the raw energy that this group invokes into their millions of fans around the world. Again, this is a confidential issue as the concert and ticket sale dates have not yet been announced. We are providing this information to the member of AIDS Thunder Bay similar to R.E.M. offering pre-release information to their paid fan club prior to the general public sales. If you are interested in learning more about R.E.M and their current tour please visit their website at www.remhq.com or AIDS Thunder Bay at www.AIDSThunderBay.org Page 2 © R.E.M. On Tour logo is copyright 2004 R.E.M with special permission granted to ACTB �Join the Celebration & The 2x4 Club! Incentives! $50—$149 Full colour AIDS Walk for Life t-shirt $150—$299 T-shirt, Seattle Coffee House Gift Certificate $300+ Above incentives, plus an evening at Cambrian Players This year we are celebrating the many friendships AIDS Thunder Bay has made through our annual Walk. If everyone that took part in last year’s Walk brought one new friend with them this year, we could easily increase our attendance to over 300 people! As added incentive this year we have introduced the first annual “2X4 Club” (Two friends walking 4 kilometers.) Register yourself and someone new (a person(s) who has not taken part in the Walk for the past 2 years) and both of you will be entered into an exclusive “2X4” draw in which you can win a Centro Bronze 3000 RT Barbeque donated by Canadian Tire. Any amount raised is greatly appreciated. Set your goal for this year (& over-achieve it)! Watch our website for information about new incentives and prizes! If you would like to register call Crystal at 345-1516 or visit us online at www.AIDSThunderBay.org Thanks to some of our Sponsors: Hubert O’Hearn Consultant with Investors Group, Magic 99.9 & Westjet AIDS Thunder Bay is looking for your old A&P receipts! The fall colours of yellow, orange and gold are beautiful, but nothing can compare to the vibrant and exquisite colours of Vesey’s Fall Bulbs. AIDS Thunder Bay can help dress your garden to be the “belle of the fall” with 16 packages to choose from. Now there are more bulbs per bag at spectacular prices! Shipping can happen by mid to late September! A colour brochure is available online from our website www.AIDSThunderBay.org DEADLINE FOR ORDERING: SEPTEMBER 10, 2004 by 4:30 p.m. This fundraising initiative raises funds. For every $450.00 dollars in receipts, ATB receives $1.00 Start collecting! Every receipts counts! A drop off box is located in the office. Yard Sale! First Church United will be holding a benefit yard sale for AIDS Thunder Bay on Saturday, September 11th from 8 am—12 noon. If you have items that you no longer have use for, we will gladly recycle them for our sale. We appreciate the items that you are able to donate, but reserve the right to not accept items we feel will not sell. To arrange for a pick-up call Crystal at 345-1516 Page 3 �EDUCATION UPDATE SCOPE Update The SCOPE peers and Condom Man have been very busy conducting monthly outreach at our area bars throughout the summer. If you haven’t yet met our big black superhero, give Denise a call for the next scheduled bar crawl. Know someone having a bridal shower or shag ………… how about having Condom man and his crusaders pay the party crowd a special visit. They will definitely give people something to remember. Keep your eyes keen and ready for controversy as SCOPE has teamed with IDU in a joint safer snorting campaign to be out this fall. Visions & Light Film Festival As you plan ahead for the fall months, keep the third annual Visions & Light Film Festival in mind. The first weekend in November will feature an exciting line up of films that will address issues of HIV/AIDS, addictions, and mental health. The festival is a joint venture of AIDS Thunder Bay, Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. In addition to a weekend of feature films at the Cumberland Cinema, there will be a special Thursday evening showing aimed at the college and university as well as other possible special events. Friday night will be a special gala showing with a party afterward at the Provincial Government building, including a silent auction. Plan ahead to be part of this fun and enlightening event. Ontario Men’s Survey Results In 2002, over 5,000 gay and bisexual men, including over 100 in Thunder Bay and area, took part in the Ontario Men’s Survey. This was the first major survey since the National Men’s Survey in 1991, and provided valuable information about the cultural and social changes in men’s lives and habits over this period. The survey showed that gay and bisexual men know a lot about safer sex, and that many of us make an effort to be safe and keep our partners safe. Many, but not all. Over the past decade in Ontario, the rate of new HIV infections has almost doubled, and most of these are among men who have sex with men. It must be noted that the majority of these are in the Toronto and Ottawa areas. There are many reasons for the rising rates. The Ontario Men’s Survey provides a wealth of information to help us in community discussions across the province. There are inherent problems with condoms. We need to look at how we interact with each other. We need to explore the assumptions we make when we engage in sexual encounters, assumptions that can put us at risk of getting or passing on HIV. You can find a link to the survey results on our web site (aidsthunderbay.org). You can also go directly to the Men’s Survey web site (www.mens-survey.ca) where you will find the community report and the full report. If you want more information or would like to discuss the results, please call David Belrose at 807-345-1516, ext.13. Page 4 �SUPPORT SERVICES/EHOP UPDATE EHOP Update…. from Carrie Miller (EHOP Coordinator) There was a great turn out at the last Social Activity Event. We enjoyed an evening of playing Mini-Putt and socializing at Kingsway Golf. Planning has begun for the Fall PHA Retreat. It will be held at Shebandowan Wilderness Discovery Camp from September 28th to October 1st. In previous years the Retreat was two nights long. This year it has been extended to three nights. (Yahoo!!!) If you are interested in coming out to a planning meeting feel free to contact me at 345-1516 ex.16. The following article is reproduced from the website (www.all-natural.com) for educational purposes. This information is presented as a point of interest, it does not necessarily reflect the opinion of AIDS Thunder Bay. Healing Touch Hands, Hearts, Intentions What is a healing touch and who is the healer? Hands, Hearts, Intentions, focus on the judicious use of energy, applied with love and science equals healing and wholeness which is facilitated with the healer. There are many traditions from ancient groups such as Maya, Hindu, Native American, Laplander and Chinese to the newly (re)discovered contemporary modalities such as Healing Touch, Terra Mater, Therapeutic Touch and Hands of Light that facilitate the healing of disease. What does a healing session involve? The healer listens with their whole being to the `voice' of the body and trusts that body's wisdom to heal. The healer centers themselves and gathers an energy into themselves and radiates it out to the healer in the form of a steady out flowing stream of radiant energy. This energy is a free circulation of force between the person to be healed, the healer, and facilitates relaxation, alleviates anxieties and promotes stimulation of the whole self to balance. The healer must have the ability to keep the will in the background and send as a conductor the healing radiance out upon a stream of love-energy and not be invested in the outcome. The healer understands that love is energy and that it is a substance as dense as matter. Often the recipient of this energy, while lying comfortably on a table or sitting upright in a chair fully clothed will experience body sensations. The sensations may be of temperature changes, joy, sadness, itching, unsolicited memories, see colors and shapes, deep rest or sleep. These body experiences are responses to the varieties of touch delivered by the individual healer’s modality and skill. The touch can be on or near the body and be very soft or deep. The session can be from 15 minutes to an hour. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________ QUESTION: What’s warm and fuzzy and feels good all over? ANSWER: Playing Secret Santa for AIDS Thunder Bay. Providing something special for people with HIV/AIDS and their families is a win/win situation. The Secret Santa’s get the fun of planning, shopping, wrapping and giving and the recipients get to feel part of a larger community of caring people and to receive some pretty neat stuff. Here’s how it works. As a Secret Santa you can be involved in different ways. One way is to ‘adopt’ a family or an individual. You will be given general information about the person’s age, size, gender and interests to guide your shopping. Or, you can donate items that could be bundled into gift packages. Suggestions include chocolates, Christmas baking, bars of soap or other hygiene products. You can make a monetary donation to AIDS Thunder Bay designated to the Secret Santa Program. This money would be used to purchase presents, turkeys, hams, fruit and candy. Donations are needed by December 16 for Christmas delivery. So if you are interested in playing Santa and making a difference at Christmas call Gail 345-1516 ext. 24 for more information. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LET’S TALK FOOD The Thunder Bay Economic Justice Committee (TBEJC) and the Food Action Network invite you to participate in the “Let’s Talk Food” – Community Forum and Food Matters Fair September 17 & 18 at the Lakehead Labour Centre on Fort William Road across from the Intercity Mall. The forum is a one and a half day workshop focusing on education and action around food issues. All are welcome to attend this free event. We invite those living on low income to come out and help work towards solutions to food issues. There will be workshops and information tables about various aspects of food from the seed to the table. Workshop topics will include: Page 5 �News from the Volunteer Department Here’s what’s happening in the coming months: *Yard Sale—Sept. 11 *AIDS Walk—Sept. 26 *Opening Doors Counselling Conference— Oct. 14 & 15 *Tag Day—Nov. 20 *World AIDS Day—Dec 1 If you would like to volunteer for any of these events, please call Selly at 345-1516. Volunteer Activities Summer was busy for our drivers with many trips and activities all over town. Receptionists were also busy with staff away on vacation. Other volunteers were active with a Tag Day, a Yard Sale and working at the Moonlight Melodrama production of ’Moon Over Silver Islet’. We are now gearing up for a busy fall with the annual AIDS Walk taking place on Sunday, September 26th. Sign up to walk and/or volunteer. You can do both as most volunteering takes place before the walk begins or at the end of the day. There will be a Yard Sale at First Church United on Brock St. on Saturday, September 11 from 8 a.m. to noon. We will need a few volunteers to help there. The annual Opening Doors Counselling Conference will take place on October 14 and 15. We will require volunteers to help with registration over the two days. We also have another Tag Day coming up on Saturday, November 20. If you can give two hours of your time, call Selly and book a shift. We have a couple of openings for reception shifts. If you would like to become a regular receptionist (working one 4-hours shift per week), call Selly to set up a training date. Thank you to all our volunteers for all you have done for ATB. We really appreciate it! Page 6 �Here and There... Front Line Newsletter We are now posting our newsletter online. It is in Adobe PDF format so it can be read online or printed out. If you are now receiving our newsletter by snail mail and you have an email address, PLEASE send us your email address so we can add you to the email newsletter list. This will help reduce costs and allow us to keep producing the newsletter. Send your email address to info@aidsthunderbay.org Have You Purchased Your ATB Membership? Is your membership up-to-date? If you would like to renew or purchase a membership, please fill out this form and mail or fax it to: AIDS Thunder Bay P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Phone #: 345-1516 Fax #: 345-2505 Suggestions? Compliments? Feedback? ATB has a “suggestion box”. We invite your comments or suggestions about any aspect of our agency or services. The box is located near our reception area. You may offer suggestions anonymously—however, if you are asking for a response back to you, we need your name and phone number. We hope the suggestion box will be used with a sense of good will and a spirit of support and encouragement. That’s how we offer it to you. For Information - When calling, would you prefer us to use discretion? Yes _____ No _____ About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 About Superior Points: Call 624-2005, 625-8830 or 625-8831 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay Call 625-5981 or 624-2000 About Regular HIV Testing Call the Sexual Health Clinics 625-5976 or 624-2000 About Counselling or Referrals Call AIDS Thunder Bay 345-1516 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 Would you like to receive information by email? Yes _____ No _____ Service bilingue disponible Or, bring your completed form into the office at 217 S. Algoma St., Thunder Bay, Ontario Name: ____________________________________ Address: __________________________________ __________________________________ Postal Code: _______________________________ Phone #: (Work)____________(Home)___________ Email address: ________________________________________ This information may be used in future to contact you about fundraising/special events. Please note, AIDS Thunder Bay does not exchange mailing lists. All lists are confidential. Basic membership $10.00 Supporting membership $25.00 I would also like to donate $_____ ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) CATIE Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca The opinions and medical information offered by “Front Line” are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of AIDS Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Please address any comments or concerns to: Front Line P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Or, e-mail us at: info@aidsthunderbay.org Visit us on the internet at: www.aidsthunderbay.org internet: www.catie.ca Attention all clients, volunteers and visitors to the AIDS Thunder Bay office. We are a ‘scent-free’ building. Please do not wear colognes, perfumes, aftershave, or scented makeup or hairspray when visiting our premises. They have been known to cause allergic reactions for staff, clients and volunteers. Some scented fabric softeners have also caused reactions. Page 7 �Parting Glance AIDS Thunder Bay would like to acknowledge the United Way of Thunder Bay for supporting our Emergency Financial Assistance Program. This is a wonderful community partnership that in turn will directly help people with HIV/AIDS and their families. Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDS Question #8 How can I have sex more safely? You can have fun—and erotic sex—with no risk of getting HIV. Just choose sex that prevents any semen, vaginal fluids or blood from entering your bloodstream. Some examples of safe sex include: • • • • • Kissing—including French kissing Hugging Massaging Fondling, touching, rubbing Masturbating (alone or with your partner) No risk Touching the penis, vagina or anus is not risky, unless you have open cuts or sores that could allow HIV-infected semen, vaginal fluids or blood to enter your bloodstream. Low risk Oral sex has some risk but it is considered “low” risk because salvia doesn’t transmit HIV. However, if you have any open cuts or sores in your mouth, infected semen or vaginal fluid could enter your bloodstream when you lick or suck a man’s penis or a woman’s vagina. AIDS Thunder Bay Advisory Council Richard Atkinson Dr. Gordon Milne Tara Champagne Richard Thompson Nicky Tittley Don Young AIDS Thunder Bay Board of Directors Michael Copps Dennis Eeles, Treasurer Denyse Johnston Carri-Anne Poole Eunice Ryan Brent Trudell Karen Vescio, Recorder To have sex more safely: • • • • Talk to your partner about safer sex before having sex Use a latex condom for - vaginal or anal intercourse - oral sex on a man - oral sex on a woman (place a condom cut open lengthwise or a dental dam over her vagina as a barrier) - sharing sex toys Use lots of water-based lubricant (don’t use Vaseline or oilbased products that weaken condoms) Try a female condom (now available at some drug stores) Never re-use condoms ————————————————————————————— This is one of a series of fact sheets developed to answer frequently asked questions from clients of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse in 1999. This material was originally produced for the Canadian Health Network Page 8 Sandra Cruzo Linda Geving Rob MacKay Ruth Racic Carl Triskle, President Don Young, Secretary AIDS Thunder Bay Staff Christa Alsch David Belrose Stuart Boland Charlene Burford Lawrence Korhonen Gail Linklater Carrie Miller Denise Olson Selly Pajamaki Crystal Porteous Myles Rusack Daina Maslach Michael Sobota High risk The lining of the vagina and the anus is delicate and thin. It breaks easily and invisibly. That’s why the riskiest types of sex are: • Having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom; • Sharing sex toys without using a condom, or without cleaning them Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic Family Physician Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Superior Points Harm Reduction Coordinator Infection Control/ Safety, St. Joseph’s Care Group ATB Board of Directors Secretary Education Coordinator IDU Outreach Worker Support Worker/Health Promoter Administration Coordinator Support Services Coordinator EHOP Coordinator SCOPE Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Fundraising Assistant Counselling Conf. Coordinator Executive Director Front Line Contributors Selly Pajamaki ATB staff & volunteers Editor AIDS Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: ♦ Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - AIDS Bureau ♦ Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Health Canada (ACAP) ♦ John Andrews Foundation ♦ N.M. Paterson Foundation ♦ Elton John Foundation ♦ Fort William Rotary Club ♦ United Way And all of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals CLGRO Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario Box 822 Station A, Toronto Ont. M5W 1G3 Canada phone 416-405-8253 www.web.ca/clgro clgro@web.ca Contact us. Work with us. Join us. �Renewal of Membership Annual General Meeting Date: TBA - November 2004 Note: Membership must be paid 30 days prior to the Annual General Meeting in order to be able to vote at the meeting. Please pay your membership before October 15, 2004. Please make your cheque payable to: AIDS Thunder Bay P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 Phone: 345-1516 Fax: 345-2505 Website: www.aidsthunderbay.org E-mail: info@aidsthunderbay.org Effective from October 2004 - September 2005 Cost Membership Fee: Basic Membership $10.00 Supporting Membership $25.00 I would also like to donate: $ Total Enclosed: On-line renewals - Memberships & donations can now be made on-line through AIDS Thunder Bay’s website www.aidsthunderbay.org Note: if you choose to renew your membership via the web, please ensure to include in the memo section/special instructions that this is a membership renewal. Name: Phone (Home): Address: Phone: (Work): City: P/C: E-mail: When calling, do you prefer we use discretion? Would you like to receive information by e-mail? Yes Yes No No Personal Information & Confidentiality Your contact info will be used to send you copies of the newsletter & information about fundraising & special events. Please note, ATB does not exchange or sell our mailing lists. All lists are confidential. If at any point you chose not to receive information by mail or e-mail, please notify the office and you will be removed from mailing lists. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource FrontLine Vol 17 Issue 2 - Summer 2004 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2004 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2710/2004_FrontLine_vol17no3.pdf 4a1c4a20140b8cbf919d511b3b3f9621 PDF Text Text Volume 17 Issue 3 19Th Annual General Meeting Held Presents Challenge to Membership Fall 2004 Inside this issue: Fundraising News 2 Fundraising continued 3 Living with HIV 4 Support Services/ EHOP Update 5 News from the Volunteer Department 6 Here and There 7 Parting glance 8 AIDS Thunder Bay held its 19 Annual General Meeting on November 10th. An Annual Report including financial statements were presented to the membership. Approximately forty people were in attendance. A very popular silent auction was held, with members doing some pre-holiday shopping. The silent auction raised $700 for the agency. Principle speaker Rob MacKay gave a visual and narrative presentation on the 15th International AIDS Conference, which he attended last summer in Bangkok, Thailand. Rob's presentation included an update on HIV/AIDS statistics from a global, national and regional perspective, as well as showing photos that he took in Thailand which gave colour and character to the that area of the world. In his remarks to the membership, Executive Director Michael Sobota cited various challenges taken on and accomplishments achieved by the staff of AIDS Thunder Bay. He reminded the membership that at the close of the meeting, AIDS Thunder Bay would be entering their 20th anniversary year. He put a challenge out to the membership about how this extraordinary event should be honoured. Suggestions from the membership are welcomed and encouraged. A friendly election was held with nominees to the Board of Directors making brief remarks before the membership cast ballots for six directors positions. Returning to the Board to complete their terms are: Michael Copps, Linda Geving, Eunice Ryan, Brent Trudell, Carri-Anne Pool and Don Young. Elected to new, 2-year terms are: Sandra Cruzo, Dennis Eeles, Deborah Emery, Rob MacKay, Ruth Racic, and Sandra Russell. The "new" board of directors will have an orientation session on December 2 and hold their first regular Board meeting on December 15. �Join us Saturday March 5, 2004 with your team of 2-6 people and take part in this fun filled evening at Mario’s Bowl (710 Memorial Avenue). Collect a minimum of $50 per person in combined team pledges. Bowl and party with your friends under Mario’s cosmic lights. Music, snacks & refreshments, attendance prizes and more! Reserve early for your 5 or 10 pin lane Limited lanes available Call 345-1516 to reserve a lane now! Proceeds raised will support AIDS Thunder Bay programs and direct client services. AIDS Thunder Bay and Mario’s Bowl may assign additional bowlers to lanes reserved for less than six people. Bowling shoe rentals additional and mandatory Page 2 �A&P Receipts Don’t throw them away, Give them to AIDS Thunder Bay! AIDS Thunder Bay is still looking for your A&P receipts. Please make your receipt donation by dropping them off at ATB 217 S. Algoma St. (At the corner of Cornwall and Algoma) or call us at (807)345-1516 1st Place - Carl Triskle $3110.00 2nd Place - Selly Pajamaki $2510.00 3rd Place - Dennis Eeles $1046.00 Thank You! Top Dogs: Shania, Snoopy, & Shadow $1410.00 AIDS Thunder Bay would like to thank all of the hard working individuals who have helped to make our fundraising efforts a huge success. Top School: Pride Central $353.25 Congratulations to First Church United for being Top Team 4 years in a row! $7610.00 This years AIDS Walk For Life raised in excess of $16, 500! This event couldn’t have happened without those who gave their time and energy and truly made this a walk to remember. Page 3 �The reality of living with HIV Imagine for a moment that you’ve just been diagnosed HIV positive. Wait – keep on reading, because you’ll soon discover that it really could be you….. Picture yourself sitting there, feeling frightened and vulnerable, in your doctor’s office. After she confirms that the HIV test result is positive, she hands you a brochure explaining the virus, it’s effects and the treatments. As you struggle to cope with the onslaught of information, the doctor drops a final bombshell; she warns you to be prepared to face a lot of discrimination. Think that can’t happen in Canada? Think again. It’s a daily reality faced by the 56,000 Canadians currently living with HIV. On the way out of the doctor’s office, still holding that brochure, you catch the eye of another patient in the waiting room. His eyes flick briefly to the title of the pamphlet in your hand, back to your face….and he gathers his small children close to him, turning away from you. We like to think of our country as free from prejudice, treating all Canadians equally. The truth is that discrimination still exists in Canada. It's illegal, but it goes on all the time. Today's society has, at least on the surface, taken strides toward reducing discrimination. People don't hurl vicious insults and force a person living with HIV to leave town. But subtle discrimination remains, and it holds the same destructive results as in the past. It used to be that an HIVpositive individual might have been fired outright. Now that person might be laid off or pressured to the point of quitting. At work the next day, you ask your supervisor for medical leave. You need to go through a series of tests and assessments, and get your prescription antiretroviral medication adjusted. You confide your diagnosis to her, hoping that she’ll understand why you need the time away. She nods, smiles, shakes your hand and wishes you well. As you leave her office, you see her frantically rummaging through her desk for the bottle of hand sanitizer…. Facing this discrimination on a daily basis can cause the person with HIV to lose or leave his or her job. Relationships may fail, with partners leaving because of discrimination. It can even be challenging to find adequate housing, because some landlords refuse to rent to HIV-positive people. A lot of HIV-related discrimination is caused by irrational fear of the virus, and misconceptions about who can become infected. The truth is that anyone can become infected. How on earth did you end up with HIV? Thinking back over the last couple of years, you can pick up on some risky behaviour….the time you had that one night stand with the clean-cut young cutie you met in the park….getting your ear pierced by a friend…and the one-and-only time you drank until you passed out. What really happened while you were under the influence of alcohol? Women get HIV. Straight people get HIV. Youth get HIV. The virus does not care who you are, or how you live your life. People contract HIV because of their actions, because of WHAT THEY DO. There is no vaccine, and there is no natural immunity. No one asks to become infected with the virus. Once we can accept that a person is not infected with HIV by choice, we can begin to break down the Page 4 �cycle of judging and blaming, which leads to stigma and discrimination. Trembling and nervous, you pick up the phone to call your best friend. Of all people, surely he will understand and be supportive? HIV does not discriminate. Will he? This document is part of a series of Canadian HIV/AIDS Social Marketing Campaign 2004 (SMC 2004) resource materials produced by the Canadian HIV/ AIDS Information Centre of the Canadian Public Health Association. © Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Centre, Canadian Public Health Association, August 2004 SUPPORT SERVICES/EHOP UPDATE It’s not too late to be a Secret Santa. Last year about a hundred people received presents and food from volunteer Santas. One person wrote to the ‘Thumbs Up’ section of the newspaper and glowed about how her family was treated. Think about participating in whatever way you can. Here’s how it works. As a Secret Santa you can be involved in different ways. One way is to ‘adopt’ a family or an individual. You will be given general information about the person’s age, size, gender and interests to guide your shopping. Or, you can donate items that could be bundled into gift packages. Suggestions include chocolates, Christmas baking, bars of soap or other hygiene products. You can make a monetary donation to AIDS Thunder Bay designated to the Secret Santa Program. This money would be used to purchase presents, turkeys, hams, fruit and candy. Donations are needed by December 13 for Christmas delivery. So if you are interested in playing Santa and making a difference at Christmas call Gail 345-1516 ext. 24 for more information. EHOP Update…. From Carrie Miller (EHOP Coordinator) The fall PHA Retreat was a great success. It took place at Shebandowan Wilderness Discovery Camp from September 28th to October 1st. Participants were able to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating and campfire circles. A Creative Arts Workshop took place as well as complementary therapy sessions. Page 5 �News from the Volunteer Department Here’s what’s happening in the coming months: *Chapters ‘Words to Live by’ fundraiser—Nov 22 *World AIDS Day—Dec 1 *Valentine’s Day Waffle Breakfast—Feb 12/05 Volunteer Activities It’s been a busy fall in the Volunteer Department. Many thanks go out to all the people who helped with the various events. We could not have done it without you! Check the list next to this column for upcoming events. If there’s something you’re interested in, give me a call at 345-1516, extension 12 and I’ll sign you up. *Staying Alive Bowling Party—Mar 5/05 If you’re interested in volunteering at bingo, call me. You’ll have a lot of fun working with a great group of people. Bingos are the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month and we have both long and short shifts available. If you would like to volunteer for any of these events, please call Selly at 345-1516. If you’d prefer to work in the ATB office, we are looking for people who are available on short notice when a regular receptionist can’t make it in for their shift. Reception shifts are 4 hours, either 8:30 to 12:30 or 12:30 to 4:30. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their very generous gifts of time and talents over the past year. We really appreciate what you do for us! I would also like to wish you all a very happy holiday season and all the best to you in the new year! Selly Happy holidays! Page 6 �Here and There... Front Line Newsletter We are now posting our newsletter online. It is in Adobe PDF format so it can be read online or printed out. If you are now receiving our newsletter by snail mail and you have an email address, PLEASE send us your email address so we can add you to the email newsletter list. This will help reduce costs and allow us to keep producing the newsletter. Send your email address to info@aidsthunderbay.org Have You Purchased Your ATB Membership? Is your membership up-to-date? If you would like to renew or purchase a membership, please fill out this form and mail or fax it to: AIDS Thunder Bay P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Phone #: 345-1516 Fax #: 345-2505 Suggestions? Compliments? Feedback? ATB has a “suggestion box”. We invite your comments or suggestions about any aspect of our agency or services. The box is located near our reception area. You may offer suggestions anonymously—however, if you are asking for a response back to you, we need your name and phone number. We hope the suggestion box will be used with a sense of good will and a spirit of support and encouragement. That’s how we offer it to you. For Information - When calling, would you prefer us to use discretion? Yes _____ No _____ About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 About Superior Points: Call 624-2005, 625-8830 or 625-8831 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay Call 625-5981 or 624-2000 About Regular HIV Testing Call the Sexual Health Clinics 625-5976 or 624-2000 About Counselling or Referrals Call AIDS Thunder Bay 345-1516 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 Would you like to receive information by email? Yes _____ No _____ Service bilingue disponible Or, bring your completed form into the office at 217 S. Algoma St., Thunder Bay, Ontario Name: ____________________________________ Address: __________________________________ __________________________________ Postal Code: _______________________________ Phone #: (Work)____________(Home)___________ Email address: ________________________________________ This information may be used in future to contact you about fundraising/special events. Please note, AIDS Thunder Bay does not exchange mailing lists. All lists are confidential. Basic membership $10.00 Supporting membership $25.00 I would also like to donate $_____ ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) CATIE Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca The opinions and medical information offered by “Front Line” are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of AIDS Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Please address any comments or concerns to: Front Line P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Or, e-mail us at: info@aidsthunderbay.org Visit us on the internet at: www.aidsthunderbay.org internet: www.catie.ca Attention all clients, volunteers and visitors to the AIDS Thunder Bay office. We are a ‘scent-free’ building. Please do not wear colognes, perfumes, aftershave, or scented makeup or hairspray when visiting our premises. They have been known to cause allergic reactions for staff, clients and volunteers. Some scented fabric softeners have also caused reactions. Page 7 �Parting Glance AIDS Thunder Bay would like to acknowledge the United Way of Thunder Bay for supporting our Emergency Financial Assistance Program. This is a wonderful community partnership that in turn will directly help people with HIV/AIDS and their families. Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDS Question #9 What should you tell your kids about HIV and AIDS? Talking about HIV and AIDS with your children may not be easy but, whether their immediate risk of infection seems slight or significant, HIV/AIDS affects us all and we all need to be informed. By providing accurate information, you can address their curiosity, reduce their fears, and help them to protect themselves. By talking with your children about HIV/AIDS you are showing them that you care—you are also providing information and support that will help them make healthy choices. What should children know about AIDS and HIV at various ages? Here are some suggestions: Young children (5-8 years) may have questions or fears about AIDS. Explain that it is a sickness caused by a kind of germ carried in some people’s blood. It is not like a cold though. HIV and AIDS are not easy to catch. Pre-teens (9-12 years) are becoming more concerned with their bodies and their looks. Talk to then about sexuality, AIDS and drugs. Give accurate information, using correct words for different parts of the body. Tell them: • How HIV is spread • What is meant by sexual intercourse • Why taking drugs may be dangerous Teenagers (13-19 years) frequently experiment with sex and drugs. Tell them the most sure way to prevent HIV is to avoid unsafe sexual intercourse and injection drug use. They also need detailed information about: • Safer sex • How to use condoms • About birth control • How risky it is to share needles for taking drugs (including steroids), or piercing or tattoos Talk about how using drugs and alcohol affects their judgment. Emphasize that anyone, anywhere who engages in risky behaviours can get HIV/AIDS. At any age, dispel myths your children may have picked up. For example, HIV is not spread through drinking fountains, toilet seats, swimming pools or mosquitoes. Make it clear that you can’t get sick just by being around someone with AIDS. Explain that people with HIV/AIDS, like all of us, need friendship and understanding. ————————————————————————————— This is one of a series of fact sheets developed to answer frequently asked questions from clients of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse in 1999. This material was originally produced for the Canadian Health Network Page 8 AIDS Thunder Bay Advisory Council Richard Atkinson Dr. Gordon Milne Tara Champagne Richard Thompson Nicky Tittley Don Young Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic Family Physician Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Superior Points Harm Reduction Coordinator Infection Control/ Safety, St. Joseph’s Care Group ATB Board of Directors AIDS Thunder Bay Board of Directors Michael Copps Dennis Eeles Linda Geving Carri-Anne Poole Sandra Russell Brent Trudell Karen Vescio, Recorder Sandra Cruzo Deborah Emery Rob MacKay Ruth Racic Eunice Ryan Don Young AIDS Thunder Bay Staff David Belrose Stuart Boland Charlene Burford Christa Fortes Lawrence Korhonen Gail Linklater Carrie Miller Denise Olson Selly Pajamaki Crystal Porteous Michael Sobota Education Coordinator IDU Outreach Worker Support Worker/Health Promoter Secretary Administration Coordinator Support Services Coordinator EHOP Coordinator SCOPE Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Executive Director Front Line Contributors Selly Pajamaki ATB staff & volunteers Editor AIDS Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: ♦ Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - AIDS Bureau ♦ Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Health Canada (ACAP) ♦ John Andrews Foundation ♦ N.M. Paterson Foundation ♦ Elton John Foundation ♦ Mackenzie Financial Charitable Foundation ♦ Fort William Rotary Club ♦ United Way And all of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals CLGRO Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario Box 822 Station A, Toronto Ont. M5W 1G3 Canada phone 416-405-8253 www.web.ca/clgro clgro@web.ca Contact us. Work with us. Join us. �A Word or Two… Charlene Burford - Health Promoter I've decided to actually write an article rather than provide interesting health tid-bits courtesy of the web. Chances are, my words will reflect the dual role -- Support Worker and Health Promoter -- I have at ATB; I'm guessing y'll be OK with that, but if it really really erks you, feel free to let me know by phone, e-mail or fax… it's likely not a great idea to stand outside my office making faces at me cause I may misinterpret your message and figure you're just trying to brighten my day rather than express a concern. Ah communication. Alrighty then, think I'm done with that wee ramble (try saying that 10x really fast… wee ramble, wee ramble). I'm feeling rejuvenated, enthusiastic and hopeful. This could be a result of recently attending three conferences and a one-day workshop within a three week period. Fall seems to be the time for a whole whack of agencies / organizations to put on their education / networking gatherings; perhaps its based on the intention of renew the workers before the long cold dark months of winter ahead… Regardless, after three and a half years in this position, I was feeling a bit run-down and "what difference do I make", blah blah blah. At this point, I'm really hoping you've been in that head-space or at least can relate somewhat, otherwise Gail and Michael may be receiving a few calls alerting them to my precarious state. Not to worry. No instability here, was just walking through my journey feeling the heaviness of deaths within the agency community. Accumulated loss is what we call it. No matter what fancy smancy term you wanna put on it, no matter what level of education, preparation or Spiritual beliefs, eventually (if you are at all human), it takes a toll. As I've said, I am now on the upswing. I found the most powerful seminars / sessions were the ones that delivered their message in a direct and open fashion. Cutting through the crap, not sugar coating information and honestly speaking about how professionals feel when dealing with terminal illness, eventually palliative care, was more than refreshing. Now don't get me wrong, people within this field are usually comfortable speaking directly. We know the realities of the health care, housing and financial systems; we share the frustrations and at times, a sense of helplessness. The "Palliative Care Institute 2004: Expanding Horizons; Bridging the Gaps" presented by the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health, Lakehead University, rekindled my passion. Attending excellent workshops reminded me "what is my basic role" as a Support Worker, Health Promoter within the HIV/AIDS arena -- to assist individuals to get the services they are eligible for or entitled to, to help people have a peaceful end of life. I know this is oversimplified, but that's the message that brought it -- my purpose -- all together for me. I thank the Palliative Care Institute planning committee for delivering one hell of a workshop! This does not disqualify the other workshops I attended -- ATB's Opening Doors Counseling Conference, the Ontario AIDS Network "Connecting on the Front Line" and Fred Pryor Seminars "Stress Management for Women" -- there was a cumulative effect. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I do not have the space to go into great detail describing the many gifts I received in the form of messages and/or moments of clarity. The formal and informal discussions that happen at a conference reinforce a sense of connectedness; sometimes a difficult point to keep in mind when working within an agency, dealing with professionals one-to-one by phone or using e-mail / the internet. I realize financial constraints make it difficult for some agencies to send workers to professional development opportunities, but how can you afford not to? It's investing in worker preservation. I do appreciate the fact the ATB supports our attendance conferences and other networking opportunities. That'd be it for now… Front Line Insert 1 �The following article is reproduced from the website (www.all-natural.com) for educational purposes. The information is presented as a point of interest, it does not necessarily reflect the opinion of AIDS Thunder Bay Aromatherapy The Therapy That Makes Scents by Corinne Friedman The pure essences distilled from aromatic plants have been prized for their health-giving qualities for thousands of years. Using the beneficial properties of oils, you can treat common ailments, promote good health and emotional well-being, and enhance every aspect of your life. These potent, volatile essences are nature's gift to mind, body, and spirit. Essential oils can evoke smell imagery; sometimes the smell of a certain aroma can instantly bring back memories of a childhood scene. Some scents can make us feel relaxed while others can make us feel energized and alive--this is the power of aroma. For centuries it has been common knowledge that scents produce mental and physical responses. Using plant, flower, and spice essences for beauty treatments (and to help with physical ailments) is common and has been practiced since ancient times. Today, aromatherapy is moving out of the "health alternatives" and into the mainstream, such as in the workplace (to improve productivity, especially in the afternoon, when companies release lemon or peppermint through vent ducts - a great "pick-me-up"!). Airlines and hotels are also looking at aromatherapy as a jet-lag cure. Some believe that essential oils contain the vital force of plants, hormones, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and the consciousness of the plant. They provide a therapeutic effect by elevating or suppressing action within the body. The oils enhance brain wave functions and improve psychic and spiritual awareness, working directly with the sensory motor system, and thus bringing balance to the body. The chemical components of the oils, after analysis, show that they have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic qualities. Many of the oils also support the function of the immune system by acting as an antiseptic and healing agent. Additionally, some oils can affect the hormonal system, while others can stimulate an opening to emotional blocks. I have witnessed the profound effects of essential oils, creating mental, emotional, and physical shifts. People report feeling more joyful, happier, and uplifted. I like applying lemongrass on the pulse points, such as the temples, wrists, and ankles to enhance emotional expression. In addition, rubbing lavender on the feet aids in relaxation and promotes balance. Essential oils have a tremendous affect on our bodies, and will continue to play a major HEPATITIS C — IT’S SERIOUS. YOU CAN HAVE IT AND NOT KNOW IT. Get the facts. For more information, visit Front Line www.healthcanada.ca/hepc Insert 2 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource FrontLine Vol 17 Issue 3 - Fall 2004 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2004 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/2716/Vol2Issue2Cover.png 092b73259209f34e627fc1fe3b64ad96 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 2 Issue 2 - Cover Only Description An account of the resource Image of the cover only of reACT-Believe Vol 2 Issue 2 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1989 https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2717/1988_reACT-Believe_vol1no1_2.pdf ff7c6f4eb6d2db79e5bd5dbf2250bb32 PDF Text Text THE AIDS COMMITTEE OF THUNDER BAY NEWSLETTER SUMMER 1968 VOL 1 ISSUE 1 How To flAMt SAFC StX: The ReACT-Belieye is published quarterly by the AIDS Conittee of Thunder Bay (ACT-B). The Coniittee tas incorporated in October, 1987 and is a registered non-orotit orqaniiation. its charitv nuioer is 0779330-11. Receipts ror tai deduction purposes fill be issued tor donations. Itei6 tor publication ■ay be sibnitted to The Bditor, P.U. Box 3586, Thunder Bay, Ont. P7B 6H2. The AIDS CQHHITTBB OF THUIDBM BAY maintains an intormation and resource centre at 283 Bay Street in Thunder bay, ACT-B operates the AIDS Intonation Fhoneline at 345-8AFB (7233); the business line is 345-1516. Office hours are iron V a.n. to 5 p.i., Monday throueh Friday. Tne AIDS phoneline is staffed dv volunteers on Mondays, »eone6davs and Fridays troi li noon to 2 p.i. Callers can speak to ACT-B staff or access a taped nessaire at other tines. �President's lessage In tnis first issue of ReACT-Be1ieve I »ant to review tne origins and develoonent of the Connittee, and looR toward the tuture. ACt-B was toned on a volunteer basis in January, 19bto address the issue or AIDS in Thunder Bay. A lot of effort went into fathering intonation, providing it to the gav coniunity, and trying to raise the awareness of the (general public. He hosted the first public form in Thunder Bay in November of that year. By October of 1987 we were co-sponsors of a city-wide AIDS Awareness Week, alone with the District Health Unit. He received funding fron the Ontario Ministry of Health in Deceiber, 1987 and were finally able to begin to work in an organiled way. By January the Board of Directors had hired an Executive Director, and Education Officer, and a part-tiie Office Manager, as well as established an office. In the aonths since we established an intonation phoneline with a solid core of volunteers, loved to lore spacious quarters, began to develop a strong outreach prograi, and worked at establishing a strong organizational base on which to continue our work in the tuture. At this point, 1 want to publicly eipres6 ■V deep appreciation tor the work that has been done by all those involved with the Conittee, the directors, the volunteers, and the statf. While everyone deserves a lot of credit, 1 particularly want to thank Michael. Serge, and Lawrence for the inense aiount of energy they have put into their work, and for bringing us this far along as quickly as they have. Now that we are well established it is tiie to focus our vision on the future. We have iany goals to achieve, and ianv proiects at various stages or deveiopient. In order to succeed in our priiary educational ana support wotr we iu6t strive to overcoie hoiophobia, not only in tne general conunitv, but in tne gay conunity as well. At this stage, we also need to expand our leibership. We are a registered charity, and 1 encourage everyone who has not already done so to purchase a leibership; and, if able, lake an additional donation to our support fund. As well, we welcoie volunteers and potential board leibers to participate in the activities of the Conittee. To all those involved up to now, heartfelt thanks, and to everyone, lets work hard for a better toiorrow. DAVID BKLMOSK SUNTOONa UH-OH...THIS VIRUS CDULP BE TROUBLE... IT JUST MADE A RUDE GESTURE AT ME.,, �ACT-B backs OAM call on dreg availability the 15-nenoer Ontario Aids Network, mich includes Al'T-B, recently issued a call to the Federal government to accelerate approval or new drugs for treating PMAs. The (JAN urged Ottawa to “atreressivelv“ seek new drug treatments, facilitate clinical trials conducted by community physicians, and accept the results of medical Iy-recognised drug trials from other countries. The Network said that drugs proven in combatting AIDS-related conditions should be available to PMAs in Canada, even though they may not have been tested in this country. “Persons living with AID8 have the right to chooBe experimental treatments based on the latest information and the advice of their physicians,“ the OAN said. ACT-B circulated the position paper to news media and Members of Parliament, Ernie Bpp and Ian Angus, and also to several Northwestern Ontario members of th.e provincial legislature. The AIDS Committee of Thnmder lay provides a wide range of services: - speakers for educational presentations - a library of brochures, books, pamphlets, clippings and videos - confidential one-on-one counselling - the AIDS Infortation Phone line - in-service sessions for professional groups. ACT-B maintains links with the medical and health care organisations in Thunder Bay. The Committee i6 a member of the Ontario AIDS letwork and the Canadian AID8 Society/ La Societe canadienne di SIDA. Dry Kisses & Stiff Kicks Every issie of ieACT-Believe mill teatire am awarding of two kinds of prises to people, organisations, and instititions involved with AIDS. The awards will fall into two categories: Dry Kisses (which are, of coirse, eminently safe sex) and Stiff Kicks (which speaks for itself). leaders are invited to nominate their own candidates tor either award. In o«r imaigiral lssne, we throw oir Dry Kisses to oar dedicated volunteers. Bravo! Oir Stiff Kicks go to the government of British Colinbia. Victoria has been penalising PVAs by charging them, retroactively, tor the nse of AZT, the drag of choice tor treating HiV infection. CANADIAN AIDS SOCIETY LA SOCIETE CANADIENNE DU SIDA �Voluteer Profile - David Volunteers help ACl'-B tunction as a successful coifunity-based AIDS organization. ReACT-Believe rill regularly feature profiles on our volunteers. Recently re spoke to David, a 30year old rho brings a lot of corritrent to bis rork on the AIDS Pboneline. Q. David, that brought you to ACT-BV A. "I think education is the cure. The lore people are intoned, and the *ore people are filling to infor* others, then we'll be able to do something about AIDS." 0. What do you think ot your fork here? A. "It's like being a firefighter. It’s «ore important to be there than to have 10 Billion fires to fight. Through education fe can avoid having an AIDS crisis that fe can’t handle." Q. David, what’s been the single biggest challenge you’ve had as a phone 1ine volunteer.' A. "It fas the tiae a young tan fho * d just found out he'd tested HIV positive phoned and told ae he fas thinking of suicide. I still get freaked out fhen I think about it." Q. Hof do you earn your living? A. "I fork at a paper fill here in Thunder Bay. When I’i not forking, or involved fith iy union, I do a lot of fork in art." Q. Hof’s that? A. "1 run a graphic arts service part-tiie. Vou see I studied art in different places; bronze sculpture in Mexico and I've also been to the University of Wisconsin and the Banff School of Fine Arts." 0. Hof do you like to spend your free tiie, David? A. “I like sports, sfining, fountain biking and, in the finter, downhi11 skiing. But I also like to party. I’■ famous for that." AIDS Atareness leek ipdate Planning for the 1988 edition of AIDS Afarenes6 Week is already fell under fay. “Living fith AIDS" is the lifeaffirming theie selected for this year by the Ontario AIDS Wetfork, the uibrella organization of cofiunity-based AIDS groups of fhich ACT-B 16 an active leiber. ACT-B is chairing the steering coauittee for the event here. We have struck suocoiBittees ror iedia relations, prograiiing and Keynote events. Pinal details on the prograi should be ready by lidAugust. Soie events fill be sponsored by ACT-B, soie by the feek’s co-sponsors 6uch as the District Health Unit, local hospitals and educational institutions. Volunteer help fill be essential to lake all of this happen the fay it should. If you would like to lend a hand in faking AAW leaningful for a lot of people, call the office at 345-1516. �Healthy sex hoise parties ACT-B is reviewing its services to the gav community. in aadition to our regular literature table and display at GIB social events, le have a nunoer ot new projects under development. The first is a series ot HisALTHY SEX house parties to start August 25th. The program is designed tor gay and biseiual ■en to learn more about safer sex, to share their concerns with others in a small group setting. The house party tormat will be limited to ten participants, and held in a local home. The theme is supporting healthy sex attitudes and activities, in a casual and confidential atmosphere. Ife hope to otter a half dosen of these workshops, about one every six weeks. If your're interested in coming to the first party, please phone 3A5-1516 and ask for Hichael. The first ten people we hear from will get into the first party. Others wili be put on a reserve list for parties later on. There already are some people signed up, 60 we anticipate the spaces will go quickly. it's tree, it's Thursday evening, 7-1U p.m., August z51h. It’s the start of big tning6 to come. io** AIDS 3 4 5 PHONELINE - 7 2 3 3 AIDS COMM ITTEE6fTHU NDERBAY �ACT-1 aoves to ne* hoae Statf and volunteers von’t have to worry about craaped auarters anyaore. ACT-B’s educational and resource centre aoved troa its original location to a coatortable newer space at 283 Bay Street. The wove was coapleted by Jane 14. Volunteers Eleanor Jensen and Andree Langlois were enoraonsly helpful. Their staaina - in very hot weather - helped us aove the office furniture, typewriter, coaputer equipaent, and hundreds of kilos of books and paaphlets. Thank you Andree for salvaging those sorely neglected house plants! Be will add new rooa for private counselling, and we'll need 6oae help with painting. Above all, we need area rig«/c«rpeti, a door aat, stackable chairs (12 at least), plant stands, and pictire traaes for oar aany attractive posters which need proper display. It you have any iteas of this kind yoi'd like to donate or lead, do give as a call. Calling all aeabers! Cop? deadline tor the Fail issue ot ReACT-Believe is dept. 9, 198B. The Editor fill consider all sabiissionB. The opinions expressed in ReACT-Believe are those ot the anthors and do not necessarily represent the policy ot the A1 Dd Conittee ot Thunder Bay. Elsewhere in this newsletter, ACT-B president David Belrose writes that our organisation is ready to put a tajor eaphasis on nenbership recruitaent. It'6 through the building up of aeabership that ACT-B will be able to recruit volunteers, develop a source for aoral and financial suoport, enhance its profile as a truly connanity-based social service and develop a pool of talent troa which can be drawn future aeabers of the board. Membership in ACT-B has several benefits they are listed elsewhere in ReACT-Be 1 ievebut the aost important thing is the chance to be part ot the solution to one of the greatest social and aedicai challenges this country has faced. �foi Are tot Alone A Coluan by Hichael dooou Alternative treataents end coapliaentary therapies There have been tio significant developments in the struggle with AIDS during the past 12 months that I’d like to talk about here. The first is the ■oveaent troai AIDS beine considered an acute, terainal illness to tnat of AIDS being looked upon as a chronic illness fith occassional acute stages. More people who nave AIDS are staving alive, and staying alive longer. The secono developaent is the aounting evidence that HIV is probably not the cause or AIDS. It aav be necessary ror H1V to be present, but or and bv 118e 1 f it may not be causal. This view is not universally accented iust vet, nor detinitelv proven. Doth of these deveiooaents shift focus to prevention and treataent aethods. And this is very needed attention, as so auch energy, tiae and money has been put into education up to now. Traditional aedicine does not promise either a cure or vaccine in the near future. But there have been breakthroughs in net drug treatments that can be invaluable to PiAs who pursue the medical model. PCP Ithe pneumonia that has been the number one cause of most AIDS-related deaths! can now be both effectively treated and prevented by the use of aerosolized pentaeidine. This, along with other infection fighters, anti-viral drugs, and immune boosters give a lot of hope to PKAs. AL’T-B has information about new treatments and can refer vou to other sources. Looking at both areas or prevention and treatment, the subiect of complementary therapies comes into crucial focus. If HIV is not causal to AIDS, that probably means there are a6 vet unidentified co-factors involved. He have long known that diet, eiercise, hygiene and psychology all plav intergral roles in our basic health. Any one of these can be a contributing co-ractor to ill health. PIA coalitions have been in the forefront of seeking out and using alternative, complementary tnerapies. When diagnosed with AIDS, se1f-acceptance ana a strong oesire to restore wellness become a challenge. Complimentary therapies offer avenues or personal empowerment, that is, taking responsiDiIitv personally in the healing process, rather than merely submitting oneself into the hands of traditonal medicine. Changing and improving one’6 diet reouires no one's permission or follow through but your own. The same with changing and improving eiercise, reducing stress, meditating, visualizing, resting. Hore is being written about complimentary therapies than ever before. ACT-B has a growing resource library of books, articies and tapes in this area. It is available free at our drop-in resource centre. Or phone us for updates and it vou have any questions. SILEN(E=DEATH �I WANT TO HELP: I support the Roals of the AIDS COMM ITTBB of Thunder Bay - ■obilizine our coaiunity through education, advocacy and suooort to respond to the challenge of AIDS - and I vant to be a leiber. ACT UK HBNBKRSHiP: S5.00 itor lnoiviauais »ho fisn to volunteer tue and effort.) SUPPORT!IG HKNBKkSHlP: $25.UU lor more) (tor institutions, orjranizations, groups and individuals vno cannot co*mt volunteer ti*e and effort.) ACT-B will issue receipts tor tar deduction purposes for every donation of $5 or wore. Tar deduction receipts are not issued tor aeabership fees. The list of aeabers and supporters of ACT-B is kept strictly confidential. All ne» ACT-s leibers receive rree: A copy of AIDS: What livery Responsible Canadian Should Knoi, a subscription to ReAl’T-Be 1 ieve, ACT-B’s newsletter, and voting rights at the General Annual Heetine of the AIDS Coiiittee of Thunder Bay. 1 vould aiso like to lane a donation to ACT-B for: $ sm THIS HHHBBHSHIP coupon To: AIDS COMM ITTBB OF THUHDKR BAY P.0. BQi 3586 THOIDBI BAY, OITARIO P7B 682 NAME: ADDRESS: CITY: _ _ PROVINCE: POSTAL CODE: TELEPHONE: ON VACATION? KEEP IT SAFE! � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 1 Issue 1 - Summer 1988 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1988 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2718/1988_reACT-Believe_vol1no2_2.pdf af516322117dfc70ae0941b5f515198c PDF Text Text THE AIDS COMMITTEE OF THUNDER BAY NEWSLETTER FALL 198B VOL. 1 ISSUE 2 Vhe KeAlT-delieve is niiDiisnea quarterly by tne Aiub toMittee or i'nunaer hay (ACl-lf). t'de loMittee fas incorporated in uctooer, IVB7 ana is a registered non-nroiit charitanie organisation. cnanty nuiber is 07/VJJU-ll. THAT'S INSIDE’ * f>resi(lent;’s letter.................... .....p. 2 Uur neie6t brochure............................p. i t'rue Phone line questions................... p. 4 AAi Calendar..................................p. b-7 Hot survivors cope......................... p. 9 Readership survey........................... p. ID •you are not alone*........................p. 11 �puts i urn's muM inis issue ot the newsletter focuses on AiDS Awareness WeeK, the secona such annual event in Thunder Bav, and this year a province-wide event tor the first time. This year’s theme ot "Livinp Witn AIDS" gives us the occasion to reflect or, our current situation, and trv to understand iust wnere we are in relation to tnis epidemic. Oniv a tew snort vears apo. AIDS was unnearo ot, nut now we Know it is an evpr-oresent tact or me. for persons witn aids. or tnose who are mu-positive, me nas tasen on new dimensions, ano rails forth new attitudes and approacnes. it is no longer enonen to uve onnoiv ana careJessiv. We are all raced witn tne need to re-assess our iitestvles. our neairn options, and our reelings aoour. deatn ana lire. LinKed very close 1 v witn an this is tne concent ot nomoonooia Itne irrational rear of homosexuality and homosexuals). The ability or society to cope witn A1 us is linked very directly with its attitudes to sex ana sexuality in ail its variations. Tne recent deoate in the united Cnurch over pav ordination snows only too clearly the iacK ot real understanding in society or what it means to be pay, to see the world from a pay perspective. wnen we encounter opposition to Plans tor specific sater-sex education, wnen people reel we must be very caretui now we present ourselves a6 tne aids committee, wnen pav men are arraid to pet neip because tneir rear or beine tnoupnt or as pav is too strong, or wnen a thousand other tninps cloud tne air ana prevent clear seeing, tnen we are racing the manv ana varied aspects ot nomoonobia. mere are manv elements involved in ■‘Living Witn AIDS". some or wmcn are addressed eisewnere in tnis newsletter. 1 want to urpe all ot vou wno are reaoinp mis. to taKe somp time to consider vour personal reennps around homosexua 1 itv ana pavness. in particular, if you are pav or oi-sexual vourselt, vou have personal resoonsibilitv to assess vour attitudes and decide whether vou are part ot the solution or part or the problem, nomoonobia is one of the most proround issues that we nave to deal witn in these times, and i expect the Committee to deal witn this in a variety of wavs in the months ahead. to rnanpe tne subject now. i want to address the matter or tne organization and development or Ad-fl. over tne past tew montns. tnp Doara or directors has developed a set. ot pv-iaws, as well as a number of lmnortant oolicies concernmp our operations and procedures, in November ot tnis year, we will oe noldinp our Annual beneraI fleering, at wh.un time a board or directors win oe rormaiiv ejected bv tne members, and our ov-iaws approved. Now is the time to oecome a member or ACi-B, if vou have not aireaav done so, to ensure tnat vou nave a voice in tne future or tne organization. Special thanks po to a 11 volunteers. Vou have done a lot ot important work in the past months, and your involvement will be an the more essential as we expand our worK or education and support in the future. Let us ail use Aiuri Awareness weeK as an opportunity to maKe tne communitv aware or wnat we nave to orrer. ana to he id everyone overcome tneir fears in tnis time ot "Livinp witn Aium. David Belrose �3 K1KSV PUBLISH!Kb After rive months of development, ACi'-B nas publisned our first self produced brochure. As part ot an overall revie» ot our services to the (fay community, le identified a blank spot in available AIDS educa­ tion literature. The brochure te have created is a “second generation* leaflet, first generation material gives general information aoout AIDS ana usually contains prevention methodology. ‘second generation* education material moves tomarfl supporting changed oehavior, fhile reinforcing basic information. Uur orocnure, titled "HKALIHY SKI KUK bA» AID DISKIUAL mil* is targeted specifically tomard the gay community. It is not for general distriDution. its primary focus is prevention of Alps trans mission in gay and oisexual males. This is the population group tnat continues to account for the greatest number or diagnosed AIDS cases. The secondary focus of the Brochure is to combat the sex negative and homophobic messages that have been aimed at the gay community. The brochure was officially launched at a bays of founder Bay dance on September lUth. Complimentary copies of the brochure have been sent to member organisations ot the Untario AIDS Bettor* and the Canadian AIDS Society. ...cover or net ACT-B orocnure. �4 REAL QUESTIONS EROM THE A1IJS INFORMATION PHONELINE 1. Can I f^et AIDS trot a public swiaamg pool? lo. The virus thought to cause AIDS cannot survive eiposure to 6oap, bleach, cleansers and 6inlar agents, such as cnlorine. Chlorine is used to keen the tater ot stilling pools tree ot ianv types of bacteria and other eleients tnich could be hanrui to Datners. L. I'a a 14-year old girl and ay best triend contracted AIDS through a hlood translussion. that can I do? A lot. lour triena needs vour understanding, your support, your love. Sne needs to knot that your’re there to listen and be caring. Persons nth AIDS (PIAs) often feel deserted and abandonned they they tell their tanly and friends ot their diagnosis. At a tue then iany of thei are entitled to support, they find their relationships daiaged, it not destroyed. One of the proven lays thy ■any PVAs have been living longer - and better - is the quality of huian relationships they are able to enjoy ihile dealing tith AIDS. 3. Boa do l know which brand ot condoa will give ae optiaua protection? Using the right kind of condoi, and using it properly, is essential to safer sex. But as long a6 you use latex condois, specific brands or makes don't latter that inch, lever use condois lade out ot annal leibrane; their texture is uneven and that could aliow the AIDS virus to cross the condoi barrier. Latex condois are electronically tested tor resilience. The laterial is strong and can be designed to incorporate features ianv people tind appealing: different textures such as ribbing, colours, even tastes. There are snug-fitting condois, lubricated and dry ones. The oest way to find out vhich condoi suits your style, personality, iood and physical requirements is to try out a nuiber of different kinds. Also use later-based lubricants, particularly brands that include nonoxynol-y as an ingredient. honoiynol-Y is a sperncide which eifectively kills the A1 Ob virus, it affords an extra leasnre ot protection. Condois are now readiiv available in lost drug stores. Heseiber that condois are ■anuiactured and packed ntn lot uuibers clearly larRed." Should you discover a fault, you can contact the lanufaciurer. till the olood test tor antibodies to the Hit virus tell ae it I've got Allihl 4. ho. Although the blood test is a fairly reliable way of determining the presence of antibodies to HIV it does not tell a person who test6 seropositive wnetner they will go on to develop AIDS, in fact, the test cannot really infori the person that they have the so-called AIDS virus at all. AIDS AWARENESS WEEK SEMA1NE DE SENSIBILISATION AU SIDA EN ONTARIO 1 N ONTARIO • LIVING WITH AIDS VTVRE AVECLE SIDA OCTOBER 17 - 23. 1988 DU 17 AU 23 OCTOBRE 1988 �5 VOLUNTEER PROM Li ReAlT-Beiieve regularly features protiies on ACT—6's volunteers. we’re pleased to present Roberta, one of our nardest workingvolunteers, to you: Q. Roperta, wny dia vou come to ACT-B/ A. "Because i was going to no volunteer worK and I nappenea to see AU'I-B's announcement on haciean-Hunter tame lv. i tnouent tnat people wno make a commitment to worK in Alps wonla oe reanv conscientious people to worn with." U. have vou rouno tnat to oe t.ne case.' A. "ires. I like tne people in the orrice". me 11Re vou too. Kooerta. i U. inat nave vou done nere. besides start tne phone line.' A. "Computer training- - and 1 mve it. I’ve aiwavs been arraid of computers, but now I'm not. That’s mv reward here." 1). that's been the most memorable experience on the phone r A. "The most touching moment was when a 13 or 14 year old £irl phoned. A friend of hers had apparently contracted AiilS through a biood trans fuss ion, and she wanted to know how to taik to her friend." U. tnat did you tell her? A. "1 asked ner aoout tne nature or their friendship and then advised her to be loving ano caring, to allow her rriend to taU men she wanted to and not to be arraid." u. Kooerta, i think vou do other volunteer worn as well, don’t you? b. "I've had teenage runawavs stay at mv place until tney've straightened themseives out. Also, kids wno’ve been Kicneo out or tneir nomes. I've aiso taRen in Rids mo nave aiconoi or drug orooiems." ij. mere do vou see Al'i-D goinjf? A, "i see it as a vitai part or tne community; it nas an important function to play tor education ana amreness, i tmn* it's ream tne onky place people can go.‘ ii. mat are vour interests, vour noobies: A. “Reading. i*m an avia reader. 1 read a «ot or seit neip poors, out fm aiso a mg tan or horror stories, horror movies toe. i me Steven Ring a ioi:“ DRY KISSES and STIFF KICKS c.verv issue or KeAu-rteiteve reariires awards in me categories ol Dry Hisses mice! ana Stitt hicks mol nice), to neopie and organisations involved tun AIDS. Headers can nominate tneir own candidates ror e11ner award. in tnis issue or ReACT-beiieve, our Dry Hiss award goes to tne uri'ARlO AlU.S NkTVUKK, tor having the roresignt to nave AIDS Awareness teek declared a nrovince-wide event in I9HB. And two stitt hicks this month, one to me d.c. government - AirAin! - ror its continued retusai to lund communuv-nased aids organizations iaids Vancouver and AlUS Vancouver island), and to me :;ueoec governmeni for grossly underfilling U-.NAfl, me taior ai»•:» organisation m mat Drovircc. Copy deadline tor the Rioter issue of ReACT-BeIiewe is December 30, 1 988 . 1 he toitor will consider all submissions. The opinions expressed in KeACT-BeIleve are those ot tne authors and do not necessarily represent the policy of the Alub Committee of Thunder Bay. �6 MONDAY OCTOBER 17 SUNDAY OCTOBER 16 vVEDNESi BALLOON LAUNCH Hillcrest Park PRESENTATION: Indian Friendship Centre Satellite Ottice 704 McKenzie St. 7:00 PM 12:00 Noon SAFER SF.X WORKSHOP tc HETEROSEXU/ L. U.Centre Theatre KEYNOTE EVENT "Living With AIDS" Panel: Dr. Ian Mackie Dr. Stuart HoItby Kami Iv Memoers Kamada Inn/Prince Arthur Hotel b:uo pm 2:30 PM TUESDAY OCTOBER 18 FACULTY AND STUDENT FORUM "Living With AIDS "Panel Conlederation College Lecture Theatre 10:00 AM Ainc AIM AOCMCCC niu<s mfvni ilhlou lAfft-t-K r» \ |0CT03ER 16-22.1988 | VIDEO NIGHT Families Welcome Waverlev Resource Library 7:30 PM SAFER SEX WORKSHOP ft GAY & BISE) MEN 203 Ogden fc 7:30 PM PRESEN'I A l 1C POUR I.A COMMUNAUlb F KANCOPHON F.co I e Franco—sum 2645 Donate 7:30 PM �FRIDAY OCTOBER 21 HEALTHY SEX CABARET: Little Finn Hal 1 316 Bay St. 8:00 PM SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12 THURSDAY iA,»0»5tR 20 CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: assemble at 283 bay St. silent walk to Unitarian Church for ceremony 7:00 PM AIDS IN THE WORKPLACE FORUM: Thunder Bay District Health Unit 999 Balmoral St. 7 : 3ii PM | THEME: LIVING WITH AIDS | AIDS AWARENESS EXTRA EVENT: Outreach to the Deaf Community Co—sponsored by Thunder Bay Centre For The Deaf, Canadian Hearing Society and AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay �8 'CONFRONTING AIDSI Never too young 'I thought it couldn't happen too me' thought I knew about safe sex. I thought it wouldn’t happen to me. I was wrong. It did happen to me. I took the confidential AIDS test at Hassle Free Clinic and I was told that I'm HIV-positive. What does being HIV-positive mean? According to one recent study re­ ported in the Globe and Mail on Mar 31,1988, being HIV-positive means that “unless an effective treatment is found, most people exposed to the AIDS virus will develop the disease within nine years.” And according to , the controversial Surgeon General of the US, we may never find an effec­ tive treatment for AIDS, at least not in the foreseeable future. What does being HTV-positive mean to me personally? It means that I may have nine years of fairly good health left or I may only have a few. Regardless, I’ll probably develop full-blown AIDS before I’m 30 years old. Being HTV-positive means that I can pass on the virus to other people through my blood, blood products and semen. 1 Most of all, though, it means that I am afraid. I’m afraid that I’ll pass on the virus to my lover, I’m afraid I may get sick soon and I’m afraid other people might discriminate against me or reject me when they find out. Something that makes me feel worse is that I know I’m not alone. In an article dated Apr 19,1988, the Toronto Star reported that US teenagers ignore advice on safe sex. The article quoted a study of 300 teenagers in San Francisco (one of the cities hit hardest by AIDS in North America) which found that only 2 percent of sexually active girls and 8 percent of sexually active boys used condoms every time they had intercourse. I use condoms. All the time, now. But, when I first came out in 1985, my lover told me that as long as he didn’t come inside me ass-fucking was safe. I trusted him, and, even after we broke up, I occasionally let guys fuck me without a condom, as long as they didn’t come inside of my ass. I found out the hard way that un­ protected anal intercourse, even when his cock is withdrawn before climax, is unsafe. I want to tell other youth, be they lesbian, gay or straight, not to make the same mistakes I made. Read up on safe sex and practice it If you want to to talk to someone call the AIDS Committee of Toronto Hotline at 926-1626 or call the Lesbian and Gay Youth Phoneline, Friday and Saturday nights from 7-10pm at 591-6749. I’m a member of Lesbian and Gay Youth Toronto, but I think it’s important to say that I could be any­ one, anywhere. I look as healthy as everyone else and I feel fine for now—but for how long, I don’t know. I would like to sign my name to this article because I feel it’s impor­ tant to put a face to AIDS, but I’m holding off from doing that for now. Reprinted with permission from Pink Inc, the newsletter of Lesbian and Gay Youth Toronto. �9 LONG TERM SURVIVORS by Richae! fallen flicnael fallen (FIA Coalition in Het VorK) round these qualities in the 17 lone-ten survivors he interviewed. 1. All or then had dabbled in alternative approaches. *ith Ah', (Kaposi's Sarcoia, a cancer occuring frequently anong FiAs, bd.kotej there were several striking stories ot success with macrobiotic or vegetarian diets. About hair of the longten survivors had wade major diet changes. The rest paid wore attention to their diets. l. Host or all hao used approaches sucn as sniatsu massage, acupuncture, or visual nation. A clear naiortty were involved with groups such as Louise hav, or Alllh flastery or fletaphvsicaI Alliance. ;i. All but two round solace in religion about hair in the religion or their cnildnood. Uthers did not seen organised religion, but spoke or spirituality, or a sense ot oneness, hone became bible-thuiDing fundamentalists. All who did become involved in cnurches were critical or some aspects of organized religion. *. All said they needed hope to survive, liach had to deal in soie way with the ■edia’s repeated message that everyone who develops AIDS dies. bone found it important to knot survivors; iany knew each other. All but two are aggressively involved in the AIDS movement, or working with FlAs; iany are in the forefront. 3. inev are fighters, often dmicuit patients, not passive. Host used a group ot physicians to coordinate tneir care, not just one. A naionry have fired a pnvsician, or ordered one out or tneir hospital roow. b. Several had moving, near-deafh experiences. i. mere was no magic oulict, no single treatment used by an the survivors. Not all or them used lipios, or macrobiotics, or ribavirin, or anytning else. Their eioenence suggests tnat AIDS is not one disease, vim one substance that will work lor everyone. Reprinted rro« Healing AIDS, Vo 1. 3, ko. 3, p. 1. (Thanks to A ilia Repina newsletter, better, J9tfd/ \ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGNovember 23, 1988 the Aibh cotiittee or Tnunder bav win hold its Annual General Neeting on •ednesday, loveiber 2J, IVbb. The leeting will see the election of a new slate ot Directors to the board. As of this writing, nominations for directors ot ACT-6 are open. It you are interested in serving as a board leiber or if you would like to nominate soieone, get in touch with the office at 3*5-1516. Candidates for election to the ACT-B Board Bust be members in good standing of the organization. The venue and starting tine for the AGH will be announced iater. �KbAl>KK8HIH SUNVhV MEET YOUR BOARD le tould line to knot mat you think ot KeACT-flelieve, tne ACT-B nets letter. Please take a loient to till oot this snort survey. Results fill nelp us serve you better. Clip tne survey and return to: ACT-B, P.U. Box 3586, THUIDEK HAt. Ontario, P7B 6H2 Currently at its tail coapleaent ot 12 aethers, the board or directors ot r.ne AIDS Coaaittee ot Thunder bay is responsible tor creating policy, approving programs and projects initiated by start, and engaging m long-range planning. 1. What do you think or the content, generally? (Please circle one) Directors: band belrose: A letter carrier, ne has been president ot ACT-B since its founding. Mane Fortier: Vice-President, is a student and child care worker. Michael Chan: Treasurer, an occupational therapist and also a co-founder ot ACT-B. Or. Frederic► V. ball: Microbiologist and director ot the Untario Public Health Laboratory in Thunder Bay. Darlene Dinette: Coordinator or tne Community AIDS Program tor the District Healtn unit. Diane bntton: Coordinator ot the Beiuaiiy Transmitted Diseases Clinic at the District Health Unit. Douglas broaan: Also a co-rounder or ACT-B, a printer and graphic designer. Andre Chaabertam: Cnewicai dependency counsel lor ror youth. Karen MaKi-kaitsaKas: Community activist witn organizations such as Planned Parenthood and tne Canadian (rental Heaiin Association. lhe kev. Chris Morden: The latest addition to the board, Chris is an Anglican clergywan witn a special interest in ■ mistering to persons with AIDS. The kev. Jack Fatterson: Minister ot Trinity United Church in Thunder Bay. Deb tthite: A newer Board member, Deb is a pharmacist at Hogarth-iestmount Hospital. CRBAT! OK HERDS 10RK l. Please rate tne to 11ovin? features »itn t I being "iosr. favourite": column!si news atones volunteer Profile cartoons Other :i. uin you nnn anv stones, neannnes or illustrations orrensive? it so, mien ones.' 4. Rnat would vou l»;.e to see in future issues :f the Al’T-B newsletter? CHAHK rim PUR NEl.PIMl UJi BARK OUK IKIBLKTTKK A BKITKK CUHHOnICAflOl TOOL! �ruu m win auw n A Column bv flichael S’obota SI Al ISTlCS', SPKCULA1 iON ANl) SHllUTUALlT* Une or me nost rrequent questions we get as Red is ‘how many people are tnere with AliiS in Thunder bay"' It's a question that, is not siiple to answer. It’s useful to look at inat »av he behind me question. Despite all ot the lnlormalion available, AiDS remains a qirricnit and rricRv sumect to understand. People want hard ana near intor«ation. People want to feet sate, it mere is a low niimoer or ornciai persons witn AIDS in Thunder hay, that iBtgni «ase people reel saier man, sav mere were a nunnreo niaenoseo cases herp. i oeneve mere is anomer wa; to answer tne quesiion man list statistical numbers, a wav th:’i hems we live with the re-«rs and concerns about AIDS' in our coiTuOitv. I nave three points la line to lane here: 1. it is crucial to understand mat A1 l)S i6 here. There are still people who tmnR that we are not like Toronto or other large Canadian cities, that somehow our isolation protects us. This couldn’t he nirther troi the truth. 2. People get AIDS, not statistics. The people who have died, or those in the care ol tneir physicians, or those worRing in other ways to live with AIDS are people: not nuioers. They could be vour brorber or sister, vour next door neighbor, your doctor, yoor son, ynnr lover. They are tne “living laces ol AIDS* and as such deserve ihe oest oi our nuian responses: support, coipassion, encouragement. 11 i. »e are an living inn A ms. mat is me tnemp chosen lor me province wide AIDS Awarpness >prr. The weeR is designated Ucioher 15-22 in Ontario. It pulls into locus wnat to nave neen experiencing tor aany years now: ail oi us, our community nas been living with aids, me ween will mgniigm certain aspects oi this, including an opportunity to remeader tnose individuals wno nave died trom AIDS, as well as to honour and show our respect lor those wno are living and worRmg tun aids on a daily oasis. Tms will taRe place at tne Candlelignt Vigil, Thursday evening, September 2Dth. So how many people are attected by AIDS in Thunder Day/ id truth, we all are. Let us be Rind to one another. Have you been discriminated AGAINST BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF AIDS? Tne 9C Civil liberties Association is conaucting a CANADA-WIDE STUDY of the extent of unfair discrimination against oersons with AIDS, or oersons perceived to be infectious lavbe you nave suffered such discrimination, out because of fear of further disenminatton. or the belief mat nothing can be done you noven t told anyone Or mayce you nave tried to do something about it. to no avail W are most concerned about discrimination in nousing, education, employment, health care and public services We want to hear from you ^ease write us at 518-H9 West fender 3t.. Vancouver. BC V68 1S5 Or call us collect at: (604)687-2919 Sponsored Cv me 8C Civil Liberties Association with assistance from me Department of me Secretary of State . Your anonymity will be STRICTLY PROTECTED �SAFKK SKI WURASHUP Kecent additions to our KhSOUKCK LlHKAHlf: During AI US AIARKKKSS ■KKK, there till be a Safer Sex Workshop tor gay and biseiaai ten. Wednesday, October 19. The workshop till be held at 203 Ogden Street I"the nsual Fort Williai Location"|. The vorkshop is ca&ial and ases a discussion foraat. There is not any 6eiual activity in the vorkshop, bat rather a relaxed and confidential ataosphere to talk aboat sex and any tears or concerns about AIDS. The vorkshop focuses on helping gay ten and bisenals to be positive about 6ex, while under­ standing changes in sexual behavior to protect theaselves troa getting or giving AIDS. Last year's vorkshop vas received enthusiastically by the ven vho attended. Kverything that occurs in the vorkshop is confidential, to assure a sate, oon-threatening ataosphere. The vorkshop begins at 7:30 and vill last approxiaately 3 hours. AUV1CK POM LlPM: A Woaan’s liuide to AIDS, Risks and Prevention oy Chris Norwood sORKOlti IAS HKRK: Profiles in the AiUS kpideaic by Oeorge Wmtaore AIDS ANU IMK HKAl.kK WMHIl bv men baarortn AI Oil ANU SUliaTAILl*. AtfUSU Aids: A SKLP UAKK flANUAL ov me AIDS Proiecr. i.os Angeies THfc OUll.i: Stories hroa Tne Naves Proiect uwimg With aids by loa O'Connor ana Anaen lonxalei-Nunei The AIDS Coaaittee of Thunder Buy provides a vide range of services: - speakers tor educational presentations - a library of brochures, books, pavphlets, clippings and videos - confidential one-on-one counselling - the AIDS Inforaation Phone line - in-service sessions for professional groups. ACT-B aaintains links with the aedical and health care organiiations in Thunder Bay. The Coaaittee is a aeaber of the Oitario AIDS letvork and the Canadian AID8 8ociety/ La Societe canadienne da S1DA. CANADIAN AIDS SOCIETY LA SOCIE IE CANADIENNE DUSIEA � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 1 Issue 2 - Fall 1988 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1988 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/9185d4e909abcbb7ba3d0fbc61bcc964.png 812ee3da716d6dfb769fcf2d65808a18 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Summer 1989 Cover Subject The topic of the resource Communities in Northwestern Ontario Description An account of the resource The cover of the reACT-Believe Summer 1989 issue. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Council of Thunder Bay (ACT-B) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1989 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PNG Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Canada-Ontario-Thunder Bay https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2711/2005_FrontLine_vol18no2.pdf 2728bc4ff459060604d85253a6d4112c PDF Text Text A Brief History of AIDS Thunder Bay In July and August, 1985, a small group of individuals in Thunder Bay began meeting in one of their homes to talk about AIDS and what it might mean to Thunder Bay. Attendance at these meetings varied, but the following individuals participated in the discussions and moving the group toward a more formal structure: David Belrose, Doug Broman, Tom Cherry, Karen Maki, Patrick Sperry and Michael Sobota. There were others who wish to remain anonymous. Some of these individuals were already doing speaking presentations within Thunder Bay schools on the topic of homosexuality. Occasionally, a question would arise in these classroom presentations about the "new disease", AIDS. Volume 18 Issue 1 Spring 2005 Inside this issue: Fundraising News 2 Fundraising continued 3 Reflections/Testing Campaign 4 Support Services/ EHOP Update 5 News from the Volunteer Department 6 History continued 7 Parting glance 8 That establishes some of the context of that era: AIDS was linked to homosexuality, and was commonly called the "gay disease". Politically, there was no legislated protection for gays and lesbians in Ontario. Discrimination and stigmatization of gays was common (Ontario did not ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in its Human Rights Code until December, 1986). Our local group concerned about AIDS emerged within this environment. Late in 1985, the first publicly known case of AIDS in Thunder Bay was reported by local media. There was some controversy in the local press, with letters to the editor demanding that the individual be identified to protect the community. In reality, the individual was isolated in McKellar hospital, had food trays left outside his door, and was basically treated with fear and a lack of dignity. The person died during the Christmas holiday period. In learning how the person was treated in hospital, the forming group decided never to let this happen again to someone with AIDS in Thunder Bay. In January 1986, the group formed itself as a board of directors, chose the name AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay (or ACT-B) and began the process of provincial incorporation, drafting By-Laws (adapted from The AIDS Committee of Toronto who had organized themselves in 1983) and federal registration as a non-profit charitable organization. It was assisted with this work by Sarah Colquhoun of Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic. The first directors on the groups' Letters Patent were David Belrose, Doug Broman and Michael Sobota. At the time of incorporation, the full Board of Directors consisted of Dr. Fred Ball, David Belrose, Dianne Britton, Doug Broman, Andre Chamberlain, Michael Chan, Rev. Barb James, Karen Maki and Michael Sobota. From 1985 through late 1987, ACT-B operated completely as a volunteer organization, listing Michael Sobota's home address as the group's mailing address and sometimes using office space that he rented in the Zeller's Block in downtown "Port Arthur". Continued on page 7 �special events & activities Ahh.. the joys of summer We are still collecting A&P receipts for the agency. ATB receives $1.00 for every $450.00 spent. Look for the new collection box located at the River Street Store; an easy and convenient way to deposit your receipts right at the store. A collection box is also located in the lobby of the office. ATB has been taking part in this donation program for the past three years. Your support has helped us raise over $230.00 This is an easy fundraiser that many people take part in, some have even set up envelopes at their places of work to collect co-workers receipts. ATB is selling red leather bracelets branded with our 20th anniversary slogan, reflect. connect. respect. These bracelets are new to Thunder Bay and will be sold at the agency and a select number of other places in town. The bracelets sell for $5.00 each and are now available at the office. Please call Crystal at 345-1516 Page 2 Driving cross country visiting places and exploring new worlds! Traveling into the depths of the woods to find the best fishing spots. Buying ice cream for the kids as a treat on the way to the baseball game! Driving to camp with the trailer on the back of the vehicle! These are just some of the many splendid things that happen during summer.. When you return home it’s time to get everything freshened up and head back to work. At this point you realize everything that has to be done… Laundry, Take film to be developed, Get gift for house sitter, Reinstate paper delivery, and the list goes on…. While the list continues to grow, your vehicle still shows the mileage of our trip(s)… bugs splattered on the windows, ice cream melted into the seats or upholstery, mud baked on the doors and lights But have no worries, AIDS Thunder Bay and Central Car Wash can help “clean sweep” your vehicle at the Wash Your Wheels for AIDS Thunder Bay July 15th at Central Car Wash If you are unable to attend the benefit day, secure online donations can be made to the agency at www.aidsthunderbay.org AIDS Thunder Bay has planned a number of special events and activities for our 20th anniversary. There is something planned almost every month of the year, so check out the website to keep up to-date. www.aidsthunderbay.org If you would like to receive monthly emails send a quick note to Crystal in fundraising and you will be added to the list: cporteous@aidsthunderbay.org �Sunday, September 25, 2005 Lakehead University Outpost 20th Anniversary of AIDS Thunder Bay. Let’s make this Walk a day of celebration & reunion! In light of our anniversary year, we are trying to plan as many fun and exciting events as possible. Thus, this year’s AIDS Walk will have the theme of family. Remember, a family can be made up of parents, kids, partners and friends! Over the years many people have become a part of AIDS Thunder Bay’s family. We would love to see you at this and other events! Consider it a year long reunion party! We are in the midst of planning a number of activities that will take place at the Outpost, in conjunction with the AIDS Walk. Tune into our website to keep posted on the Walk’s development! For fun… For family… For life… Dr. Mysterion’s Halloween Hoopla! Friday, October 28 at the Lakehead University Outpost Mysterion the Mind Reader is Toronto's foremost mentalist, with a PHD in ESP. Expect the unexpected from this mad Doctor at this Halloween Hoopla! Telepathy with random spectators, thought reading of words, numbers & objects, mind mental bending of forks, keys, nails and spoons! Mysterion Knows what you're thinking! In addition, see his side show of bizarre and strange exhibits – Siamese turtles, albino squirrel, evidence of big foot and more! This “Hoopla” will be one heck of a party! Come dressed for the Occasion – it’s Halloween! Spooktactular Waffle Breakfast! Saturday, October 29 at the Unitarian Fellowship ATB’s ever popular Valentine’s Waffle breakfast has just expanded to Halloween! A feast not to be missed! Waffles with delicious berry toppings themed for the occasion! Page 3 �Reflections on Twenty Years It is hard to believe that twenty years have passed since a small group of us, under the leadership of Michael Sobota, got together to address the issue of AIDS in Thunder Bay. When the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay was first established some of us thought that we would devote a few years to the issue until a cure was found, and then we could go back to our ordinary lives. Now we see that HIV and AIDS have become our ordinary lives and will be for the foreseeable future. Some 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV or AIDS and the number grows daily. Thanks to an enormous number of dedicated volunteers, and hard working staff, I think we have made a significant impact both in limiting the number of HIV infections and in providing support to those living with or affected by HIV and AIDS here in Thunder Bay. From a totally volunteer group, we have evolved into a respected, professional organization. There have been enormous developments around HIV and AIDS over the past twenty years, and yet it seems that we have only just begun. While attitudes have changed significantly over the past twenty years, stigma and discrimination are still faced far too often by people living with HIV or AIDS. With many people living longer and a lack of public awareness campaigns, many people have become complacent. Too many people of all ages fail to practice safer sex consistently. As we move into our third decade of dealing with this disease, we need to continue to work at the whole range of issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. Looking at things from a holistic “determinants of health” point of view, and operating from a non-judgemental harm reduction perspective, we need to revitalize our prevention, support, education and advocacy efforts. On a personal note, I have learned much over the past twenty years, especially from those men and women who have lived, or are living with HIV or AIDS. I also want to express my thanks and appreciation to all those many people who have helped in any way with prevention and education efforts over those twenty years. David Belrose Education Coordinator Testing Campaign You will soon see evidence of our new social marketing campaign around the region. A campaign to promote HIV testing will feature billboards, transit shelter ads, bathroom ads and posters. The campaign features the idea that whether results are “negative” or “positive” “It’s Good To Know”. The campaign will promote anonymous HIV testing, and we hope that it will encourage people to get tested. Page 4 �A Final Word or Two… From the Health Promoter By the time you read this article, I will have been gone from AIDS Thunder Bay for a few weeks. So where to begin???? Four years working with a very special group of people -- people affected by HIV/AIDS -- has given me so many lessons and opportunities for growth; I know I'll do no justice to my journey by trying to articulate it. So who are the "people affected by HIV/AIDS"? The male, female, young, old who are HIV+, worried they are positive, love someone who is positive, know someone who is positive. They are the people who work with any of the above. Affected is affected. Concerned youth, curious elderly, socially conscious, fear driven prejudicial, gay or straight, affected is affected. I thank you all for your wisdom, direction and challenges. I am honoured to have been permitted in to a few hearts, dreams and fears. "Thank you" is not enough for the gifts you have given me. Know that I will remember you. Charlene Burford EHOP Update…. From Carrie Miller (EHOP Coordinator) During the past few months the Enhancing Healthy Options Program has had many new and exciting programs and activities. In December a well-attended Client Christmas Dinner took place. During the late winter months both a Computer Training Course and Life Skills Support Group were offered. Planning for the Annual PHA Retreat will be starting soon. If you would like to be part of the PHA Retreat Planning Committee please call Carrie at 345-1516 ex.16 for more details. The following article is reproduced from the website (www.allenklein.com) for educational purposes. The information is presented as a point of interest; it does not necessarily reflect the opinion of AIDS Thunder Bay. Laughter and Humor: Myths and Realities by Allen Klein Almost twenty-five-years ago, Norman Cousins claimed, in his book Anatomy of an Illness, that laughter cured him of a rare debilitating disease. Ever since people have been attributing all kinds of benefits to laughter and humor. Some of it can be documented, some cannot. For example, you may have heard that children laugh 400 times a day but adults only fifteen. Anyone who hangs around children for a while knows that they laugh a lot. But 400 does seem excessive. So I asked my humor colleagues if they know the source of this information. Guess what? None of them did. The closest any of them could up with was from a study which showed that "glee" (not just laughter) in a nursery school did range from 18.4 to 45 incidents an hour per child. While "glee", described in the dictionary as jubilant delight and joy, might contain periods of laughter, it does not indicate a period of repeated laughter. So, the jury is still out on the notion that kids laugh 400 times a day. Adult laughter, on the other hand, is a little easier to track down. The book, American Averages, clearly states that "The average person laughs 15 times a day". Another popular idea is that endorphins are secreted into the blood system when we laugh. Unfortunately, this has not been proven in the scientific world. What has been proven, by Dr. Lee Berk of Loma Linda University, is that cortisol, an immune suppresser, is less prevalent in the blood when we laugh. In addition, hearty laughter also produces other chemicals which help boast the immune system. What we also know is that laughter oxygenates the blood (so we think better after a laugh), relaxes our muscles (maybe that's why we leak when we laugh) and raises, then lowers, our heart rate and blood pressure (similar to aerobic exercise). While most of us know that we feel better after a good hearty laugh, science, in many cases, is yet to prove why. But that doesn't mean that we should stop laughing. After all, how many centuries did it take to prove that the world was round? Page 5 �News from the Volunteer Department 2005 Volunteer of the Year Volunteer Activities ATB celebrated National Volunteer Week with our annual Volunteer Appreciation on April 21. To celebrate our 20th anniversary we had a quiz about ATB’s history. We all learned a lot of interesting facts about the agency and the people who have been connected with it over the years. Michael Sobota, Executive Director, proposed a toast to 20 years of service to the community and Rob MacKay, President of the Board of Directors, cut and served the anniversary cake. Bob Baskerville Here’s what’s happening in the coming months: *Yard Sale—June 11 *Tag Day—June 18 *AIDS Walk—Sept 25 *Mysterion the Mind reader—Oct 28 *Halloween Waffle Breakfast—Oct 29 If you would like to volunteer for any of these events, please call Selly at 3451516. Also watch for many 20th Anniversary events: *July-Memorial bench installed at Marina Park *August—Reunion Picnic for all former and current staff, clients, members and volunteers *November 3-6—Visions & Light Film Festival *November—20th AGM Page 6 Several people received special certificates and pins for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years of volunteering. In the past year, 6 volunteers contributed 1,827.75 hours between them. These people are Richard Beck, Joe Czernik, Fran Dutli, Eunice Ryan, Michael Sobota and Jamie Taniwa. Our sincere thanks go out to these people as well as to all the other volunteers who contributed a total of 6,510.25 hours in 2004. The 2005 Volunteer of the Year is Bob Baskerville. Bob has been volunteering with ATB since September of 1994. He has been our main driver for over 10 years. In that time, he has given many hours and driven many, many miles. He is always cheerful and friendly and many clients ask for him when they need a driver. Thank you Bob for all you’ve done for us! Check the list next to this column for upcoming events. If there’s something you’re interested in, give me a call at 3451516, extension 12 and I’ll sign you up. Check our website or call me about upcoming anniversary events—we would like you to be a part of them. If you’re interested in volunteering at bingo, call me. You’ll have a lot of fun working with a great group of people. If you’d prefer to work in the ATB office, we have some regular shifts available. We are also looking for people who are available on short notice when a regular receptionist can’t make it in for their shift. Reception shifts are 4 hours, either 8:30 to 12:30 or 12:30 to 4:30. �A Brief History of AIDS Thunder Bay Continued from page 1 The group continued speaking engagements in local schools and in the late fall of 1986, organized the first public "town hall meeting" about AIDS, held at the Waverly Library. It applied for and received a small grant to do this from Health Canada. Featured at this first public information session about AIDS in Thunder Bay were Dr. Sam Graham, Medical Officer of Health for the Thunder Bay District and the nurse who was in charge of the ward at McKellar Hospital when their first AIDS patient was admitted. Also featured was Joan Anderson, at that time the President of the Board of the AIDS Committee of Toronto. In the summer of 1987, ACT-B successfully answered a call for applications for funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health. With this original core operating grant of approximately $80,000, the board moved quickly to rent a post-office box for a mailing address, rented a small office on Bay Street, and hired its first paid staff: Michael Sobota as Executive Director, Serge Tittley as a 1/2 time Educator and 1/2 time Volunteer Coordinator, and Lawrence Korhonen as 1/2 time Office Manager (for a total of 2.5 positions). In subsequent years, provincial funding allowed staffing to expand the Education and Office Management positions to full time, and add a full time Support Coordinator position. The Volunteer Coordinator position expanded to .8 full time. ACT-B held a public competition for it's first logo and the winning design was done by Brian Holden, featuring the groups' initials in lower case with a butterfly hovering above. The image suggested humility and metamorphosis. During the immediate years following core funding, ACT-B began developing a full roster of services. Presentations and speaking engagements expanded beyond schools to churches and local groups. An outreach tour into the region - organized by the Community AIDS Project at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit - saw ATB staff take the community message into smaller towns east of Thunder Bay. Volunteers and people living with AIDS came to Thunder Bay slowly, as the fears and stigmatization swirling around AIDS continued to play a strong influence. But by the time ATB celebrated it's tenth anniversary in the Fall of 1995, the annual general meeting that year featured a panel of speakers that included past board-members, current clients, volunteers and staff. ACT-B identified early-on the shift of the HIV epidemic into Northwestern Ontario's drug using population (one of our first clients, in 1988, had disclosed his transmission occurred through needle - sharing). The agency began an informal, "under the counter" needle-exchange service pioneered by staff member Daryle Dollan (aka Cano), while publicly working with the District Health Unit toward securing a funded, public needle-exchange program in Thunder Bay. Simultaneously, ACT-B championed the importance of anonymous HIV Testing (once HIV anti-body testing began in the latter half of the 1980's, most people in Thunder Bay sought testing elsewhere for reasons of confidentiality, traveling to Winnipeg, Duluth or Toronto to get tested). Only anonymous testing allowed true confidentiality to the worried individual and, after extensive lobbying, Ontario introduced this option in 1992. Throughout its history, the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay - now AIDS Thunder Bay - has been a strong advocate on a broad range of issues relating to people living with HIV/AIDS, including access to treatments, housing, human rights, sexuality and sexual orientation, homophobia, racism and poverty. As we turn the corner of twenty years and enter our third decade of service in Northwestern Ontario, we can look with pride at a range of accomplishments: a strong volunteer base numbering some 170 active volunteers, a dedicated , elected board of community volunteers, a professional staff team and people living with HIV participating and contributing at various levels to the ongoing work of the organization. A great deal has changed since 1985. Some difficult challenges continue and our dedication to addressing them needs to remain vigilant. While medical treatments have improved and people living with HIV are living longer, there remains no cure. We pause at this two-decade turning point, to mark this anniversary. We created a 20th Anniversary Committee and adopted a slogan for the occasion: reflect. connect. respect. We invite you to contemplate our slogan, and to connect with us during the anniversary year. Page 7 �Parting Glance Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDS Question #10 Is it safe for others to be at work, school, or day care with someone who has HIV? YES. We need to understand that it’s quite safe to work, study, or play with people who have HIV and AIDS. It’s also safe for children to be in day care or attend school with children who have HIV and AIDS. Everyday contact with adults or children who have HIV/ AIDS is safe. For example: You cannot contract HIV through • Shaking hands, hugging, or kissing • Working or playing side by side • Sharing equipment or toys (even toys that children put in their mouths) • Sharing washrooms • Sharing water fountains, food, dishes, or cutlery • Changing diapers HIV infection is only transmitted through semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk, and blood. Other body fluids, like mucus or vomit, do not transmit HIV unless they contain infected blood. The three main ways you can get HIV are • • • Having unprotected sex Sharing needles with someone who has HIV Being born to an HIV-positive mother Even if HIV-infected blood touches your skin, it won’t cause infection. For you to become infected, enough HIV-infected blood has to get into your bloodstream through an entry point like an open sore or cut. In our daily lives, such blood-toblood contact with others is unusual—even in cases of biting, scratching, accidents or fights. If you ever have to clean up blood, wear latex gloves, wipe the blood-soiled surface and disinfect it with bleach. Place blood-stained materials in a sealed plastic bag and discard in a lined, cover garbage container. Wash your hands afterwards. Machine wash any blood-stained clothes separately in hot soapy water. Canadian law recognizes HIV/AIDS as a disability, like any other medical condition. The Canadian Charter of Human Rights prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, including HIV/AIDS. ————————————————————————————— This is one of a series of fact sheets developed to answer frequently asked questions from clients of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse in 1999. This material was originally produced for the Canadian Health Network Page 8 AIDS Thunder Bay Advisory Council Richard Atkinson Dr. Gordon Milne Tara Champagne Richard Thompson Nicky Tittley Don Young Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic Family Physician Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Superior Points Harm Reduction Coordinator Infection Control/ Safety, St. Joseph’s Care Group ATB Board of Directors AIDS Thunder Bay Board of Directors Sandra Cruzo Deborah Emery Rob MacKay Sandra Russell Brent Trudell Karen Vescio, Recorder Dennis Eeles Linda Geving Ruth Racic Eunice Ryan Don Young AIDS Thunder Bay Staff David Belrose Stuart Boland Charlene Burford Christa Fortes Lawrence Korhonen Gail Linklater Carrie Miller Selly Pajamaki Crystal Porteous Michael Sobota Education Coordinator IDU Outreach Worker Support Worker/Health Promoter Secretary Administration Coordinator Support Services Coordinator EHOP Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Executive Director Front Line Contributors Selly Pajamaki ATB staff & volunteers Editor AIDS Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - AIDS Bureau Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Health Canada (ACAP) John Andrews Foundation N.M. Paterson Foundation Elton John Foundation Mackenzie Financial Charitable Foundation Fort William Rotary Club And all of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals CLGRO Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario Box 822 Station A, Toronto Ont. M5W 1G3 Canada phone 416-405-8253 www.web.ca/clgro clgro@web.ca Contact us. Work with us. Join us. �If it's Laughter You're After by Allen Klein Sometimes it is hard to find something to laugh about. So here are twenty-two simple suggestions to help you in your quest. 1) Do something different. Eat with your opposite hand, etc. 2) Create a humour environment. Have funny signs around like "never wrestle with a pig, you both get dirty and the pig likes it." 3) Diffuse anxieties by preparing alternative humorous responses to stress situations, such as, "beam me up, Scotty." 4) Experiment with jokes. Learn one a week and spread it around. (Remember, however, that jokes are only a small part of humour). 5) Laughter is contagious. When you need a chuckle, call a humour-buddy or hang around with people who make you laugh. 6) Make a conscious effort to collect funny stuff. Write down and file things that amuse you. 7) Focus humour on self. After you’ve used up all the funny things about yourself you can move on to others. 8) Share your troubles. Laughter and tears are both cathartic. 9) Seek the child within. It’s still there wanting to play. 10) Hang around children. They are some of our greatest teachers. 11) Be positive. Find someone doing something right, or almost right, and tell them about it! 12) Keep FUN-raising items handy. Toys, signs, posters, etc. 13) Intimidated? Draw a cartoon of the person who annoys you; make it as outrageous as possible. . . or visualize that person sitting on the toilet. 14) Give fun gifts. Garage sales often have great inexpensive silly items. 15) Can’t laugh? Smile! Can’t smile? Fake it! 16) Remember that you are not becoming a comedian, you are seeking humour for balance and perspective. 17) Dress-up. Halloween, April Fool’s Day, and Mad Hatter’s Dinner Parties are great for this. 18) Schedule playtime. If you don’t, it probably won’t happen. 19) Waste some time. Type-A behaviours don’t know how to do nothing. 20) It's OK to be silly. When things get too serious, sometimes nonsense makes the most sense. 21) Look for opportunities in the negative. They’re always there! 22) Practice. Practice. Practice. Why did I select twenty-two ways to go after laughter? For no particular reason except that twenty-two is my lucky number. (Good thing my lucky number is not 8,437.) Front Line Insert 1 �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource FrontLine Vol 18 Issue 1 - Spring 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of AIDS Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2005 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2712/2005_FrontLine_vol18no1.pdf 924f7a097251c388c1df3e63e11f09e1 PDF Text Text C’mon Home! On Saturday, August 20, AIDS Thunder Bay will be holding a reunion picnic at Centennial Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This ‘homecoming’ picnic is for present and former AIDS Thunder Bay associates, members, staff, clients and volunteers. It is one of the many celebrations we have planned for this our 20th year. Yes, that’s right, AIDS Thunder Bay has been here for 20 years now. We would like you to come and help us to commemorate those 20 years and reflect and remember all that has happened and all those we have lost in that time. Volume 18 Issue 2 Summer 2005 Inside this issue: Fundraising News 2 Fundraising continued 3 Equal Marriage 4 Support Services/ EHOP Update 5 News from the Volunteer Department 6 Here and There... 7 Parting glance 8 AIDS Thunder Bay is proud to acknowledge a partnership created with Pop Cans For Charity that will mean ongoing donations of food to our Mother’s Cupboard food bank. This is an important relationship that will assist in sustainability of Mother’s Cupboard and we thank Pop Cans For Charity for their generosity! In order to have a general idea of how much food to supply, we ask that you call Selly at 345-1516, ext. 12 and let her know if you plan to attend. Bring your partner, your children, a good friend—just let us know how many will be attending with you. Sorry, but for health and safety reasons, we must ask that you leave your dog(s) at home. We will supply the food and drinks—there will be hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, smokies, and veggie trays. There will also be juice, soft drinks and water available. And, we will have a special 20th anniversary cake. Please let us know if you’re coming alone or bringing guests with you. We want to make sure we do not run out of food or drink. Don’t forget your lawn chair or blanket—something to sit on. There will be some entertainment; local singer/guitarist Nancy St. Jarre will be performing and we hope to have a magician entertain us as well. This will be a time to visit and socialize and reminisce. Bring pictures if you’d like to share them and bring your memories and stories of your connection with AIDS Thunder Bay. Think of it as a kind of AIDS Thunder Bay family reunion. The picnic will take place rain or shine as we will be able to use the chalet at the park. Please c’mon home and join us on the 20th for this summer gathering. We hope to see you there! �Monday, September 19, 2005 At The Fort William Gardens AIDS Thunder Bay is in its 20th anniversary year. THE ICE SHOW honours the work of the agency and coincides with the anniversary theme: reflect. connect. respect. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the past, make a connection with the community, and respect the mission of AIDS Thunder Bay to help people and families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Tickets will only be sold through the Fort William Gardens Box Office or through the Gardens phone line at 625-2929. Tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. For further information about the event and AIDS Thunder Bay please call 345-1516. • • Jamie Salé and David Pelletier – Olympic Gold Medalist, 4 time Canadian Champion, 2 time World Champion Alexei Yagudin - Olympic Gold medalist, 4 time World Champion, 3 time European Champion and World Professional Champion • Brian Orser - Canadian National Champion, Olympic Silver Medalist & World Free Skating Champion • Steven Cousins - British Champion • • • Page 2 Yuka Sato - World Champion Jennifer Robinson - Six Time Canadian Champion Jozef Sabovcik - Six Time Czech. Champion & Olympic Bronze Medalist Honouring AIDS Thunder Bay’s 20th Anniversary �Join the Celebration & The 2nd Annual 2x4 Club! Incentives! $20 2004 AIDS Walk For Life T-Shirt (while supplies last) $50—$149 Full Colour 2005 AIDS Walk For Life T-Shirt $150—$299 $15 Famous Players Gift Card $300+ $30 Montana’s/Kelsey’s Gift Card This year we are celebrating the many friendships AIDS Thunder Bay has made through our annual Walk. If everyone that took part in last year’s Walk brought one new friend with them this year, we could easily increase our attendance to over 300 people! After the tremendous success of last year we have decided to once again hold the annual “2X4 Club” (Two friends walking 4 kilometers.) Register yourself and someone new (a person(s) who has not taken part in the Walk for the past 2 years) and both of you will be entered into an exclusive “2X4” draw in which you can win a Barbeque donated by WalMart. Any amount raised is greatly appreciated. Set your goal for this year (& over-achieve it)! Watch our website for information about new incentives and prizes! If you would like to register call Crystal at 345-1516 or visit us online at www.AIDSThunderBay.org Thanks to some of our Sponsors: Westjet, RBC Royal Bank, Janzen’s Pharmacy & ABC Custom Embroidery Saturday, September 10th 8:00 am— Noon 201 E. Brock Street AIDS Thunder Bay would like to thank the First Church United for their ongoing support and commitment to the agency. This will mark the third benefit yard sale in support of ATB! Mysterion the Mind Reader with Marcus the Magician Friday, October 28 at the Lakehead University Outpost Mysterion the Mind Reader is Toronto's foremost mentalist, with a PHD in ESP. Expect the unexpected from this mad Doctor at this Halloween Hoopla! Telepathy with random spectators, thought reading of words, numbers & objects, mind mental bending of forks, keys, nails and spoons! Mysterion Knows what you're thinking! In addition, see his side show of bizarre and strange exhibits – Siamese turtles, albino squirrel, evidence of big foot and more! Opening for Mysterion will be Thunder Bay’s only Fire Manipulator Marcus The Magician. Witness as he performs his one of a kind fire manipulation act. This dangerous performance includes juggling of a burning staff, breathing fireballs eight feet high and swallowing of the most dangerous element known to man. And much more! Page 3 �Equal Marriage - A Time for Healing On July 20, 2005, Bill C-38 received royal assent and same-sex marriage became the law across Canada. The debate leading up to this point was divisive and often rancorous. I believe that we now have a chance to move beyond the rhetoric and look to healing the wounds caused by this divergence of opinion. It is important to remember that the opposition to equal rights for sexual minorities has a long history. Homosexuality was variously described as criminal, as a medical or psychiatric disorder, or in opposition to religious teachings. In Canada homosexuality was decriminalized in 1969, and by 1973 was removed from the list of psychiatric disorders. Since then, each step toward equality and the ending of discrimination has been accompanied by the fears and hatred of some members of the community, largely based on religious opposition. There was fierce opposition to changes to the Ontario Human Rights Code in 1986, fuelled in large part by some religious groups. In Thunder Bay the Chronicle-Journal editorialized “This legislation will force the majority to put up with the presence of homosexual workmates and neighbours with the attendant possibility of unwanted advances. … On the street, men and women with traditional values can simply walk away from unwelcome association with homosexuals (sic). But in the workplace, and in the hall-ways, laundry rooms, parking garages and saunas and swimming pools of apart-ment buildings and condominiums, they will be forced to put up with it. Friction, and probably violence, will surely follow.” Of course, life went on and the community by and large adjusted to the change in law. The same thing will likely happen now that same-sex marriage is legal throughout the country. AIDS Thunder Bay has been an advocate for equality through the long, arduous, divisive process that has led to this point. Our Town Hall meeting in April of this year was an attempt to air the divergent viewpoints in a respectful and non-confrontational manner. Now that the law has passed, hopefully it is a time for the healing process to begin. We are all part of the same community, whether we agree with or oppose same-sex marriage. We need to be able to live and work together. Whether we are Christian or not, the teachings of Jesus can be instructive: “Love your neighbour as yourself”. “Judge not, lest you be judged.” We need to dialogue with one another and try to understand our divergent viewpoints. When we cannot agree on an issue, we need to be able to step back and give each other room. Hopefully we can agree to disagree, while respecting each other as members of this community. At AIDS Thunder Bay, we believe in equality for all members of society. We approach our work in a non-judgmental, sex-positive way. By working together with all of society, we can begin to make advances that will allow us to cope more successfully with HIV and AIDS. Page 4 �SUPPORT SERVICES/EHOP UPDATE Be a Secret Santa This Year Here’s how it works. As a Secret Santa you can be involved in different ways. One way is to ‘adopt’ a family or an individual. You will be given general information about the person’s age, size, gender and interests to guide your shopping. Or, you can donate items that could be bundled into gift packages. Suggestions include chocolates, Christmas baking, bars of soap or other hygiene products. You can make a monetary donation to AIDS Thunder Bay designated to the Secret Santa Program. This money would be used to purchase presents, turkeys, hams, fruit and candy. Providing something special for people with HIV/AIDS and their families is a win/win situation. The Secret Santa’s get the fun of planning, shopping, wrapping and giving and the recipients get to feel part of a larger community of caring people and to receive some pretty neat stuff. Last year about a hundred people received presents and food from volunteer Santas. Think about participating in whatever way you can. Donations are needed by December 12 for Christmas delivery. So, if you are interested in playing Santa and making a difference at Christmas, call Gail at 345-1516, ext. 24 for more information. EHOP Update…. From Carrie Miller (EHOP Coordinator) Planning for the Fall PHA Retreat is underway. It will take place at the beautiful Mink Mountain Resort from Monday September 12th – Wednesday September 14th. The Retreat is open to positive clients and their partner/spouse. If you have children and require childcare we will reimburse you after the Retreat. Some of the activities will include complementary therapy sessions, crafts, campfire circles, nature walks, canoeing and a workshop on Nutrition. You’ll need to call Carrie at 345-1516 ext.16 by Wednesday August 24th to sign up. Page 5 �News from the Volunteer Department Here’s what’s happening in the coming months: *Moonlight Melodrama—August 10 to August 26 *Information display at Intercity Mall—August 26 to 28 *Yard Sale—September 10 *AIDS Walk—Sept 25 *Opening Doors Counselling Conference—Oct 13 & 14 *Mysterion the Mind reader—Oct 28 *Halloween Waffle Breakfast— Oct 29 If you would like to volunteer for any of these events, please call Selly at 345-1516. Also watch for many 20th Anniversary events: *August 20—Reunion Picnic for all former and current staff, clients, members and volunteers *September 19—The Ice Show *November 3-6—Visions & Light Film Festival *November—20th AGM *AIDS Awareness Week—late Nov *World AIDS Day—Dec 1 Page 6 Volunteer Activities We are coming into our busiest time of year with an information display at Intercity Mall the last weekend of August, selling ‘showballs’ at the Moonlight Melodrama production at the Community Auditorium, a yard sale at lst Church United on Brock St., the AIDS Walk, the Opening Doors Counselling Conference, Mysterion the Mind Reader, the Halloween Waffle Breakfast, Visions and Light Film Festival, the Annual General Meeting and Silent Auction, and AIDS Awareness Week. If you are interested in volunteering at any of these events, please call Selly at 345-1516, ext. 12. Do you have your tickets for The Ice Show yet? It’s sure to be a spectacular event! Call the Fort William Gardens box office now. And don’t forget Mysterion the Mind Reader. It’s going to be an intriguing show. Marcus the Magician, otherwise known as our very own Myles Rusak, will be opening for Mysterion. We look forward to seeing many of you at the Reunion picnic on August 20 at Centennial Park. Don’t forget to call and let Selly you if you will be attending. Bring your partner, your children, a close friend—just let us know how many people you’re bringing with you. We don’t want to run out of food! Also, bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. There are some picnic tables available, but not enough. The picnic will go ahead rain or shine as we have the use of the chalet at the park. So, bring your appetite and your memories and prepare to spend an enjoyable afternoon socializing and reminiscing. �Here and There... Front Line Newsletter We are now posting our newsletter online. It is in Adobe PDF format so it can be read online or printed out. If you are now receiving our newsletter by snail mail and you have an email address, PLEASE send us your email address so we can add you to the email newsletter list. This will help reduce costs and allow us to keep producing the newsletter. Send your email address to info@aidsthunderbay.org Have You Purchased Your ATB Membership? Is your membership up-to-date? If you would like to renew or purchase a membership, please fill out this form and mail or fax it to: AIDS Thunder Bay P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Phone #: 345-1516 Fax #: 345-2505 Or, bring your completed form into the office at 217 S. Algoma St., Thunder Bay, Ontario Name: ____________________________________ Address: __________________________________ __________________________________ Postal Code: _______________________________ Phone #: (Work)____________(Home)___________ When calling, would you prefer us to use discretion? Yes _____ No _____ Would you like to receive information by email? Yes _____ No _____ Email address: ________________________________________ This information may be used in future to contact you about fundraising/special events. Please note, AIDS Thunder Bay does not exchange mailing lists. All lists are confidential. Basic membership $10.00 Supporting membership $25.00 I would also like to donate $_____ Suggestions? Compliments? Feedback? ATB has a “suggestion box”. We invite your comments or suggestions about any aspect of our agency or services. The box is located near our reception area. You may offer suggestions anonymously—however, if you are asking for a response back to you, we need your name and phone number. We hope the suggestion box will be used with a sense of good will and a spirit of support and encouragement. That’s how we offer it to you. For Information About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 About Superior Points: Call 624-2005, 625-8830 or 625-8831 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay Call 625-5981 or 624-2000 About Regular HIV Testing Call the Sexual Health Clinics 625-5976 or 624-2000 About Counselling or Referrals Call AIDS Thunder Bay 345-1516 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Service bilingue disponible CATIE Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca The opinions and medical information offered by “Front Line” are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of AIDS Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Please address any comments or concerns to: Front Line P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Or, e-mail us at: info@aidsthunderbay.org Visit us on the internet at: www.aidsthunderbay.org internet: www.catie.ca Attention all clients, volunteers and visitors to the AIDS Thunder Bay office. We are a ‘scent-free’ building. Please do not wear colognes, perfumes, aftershave, or scented makeup or hairspray when visiting our premises. They have been known to cause allergic reactions for staff, clients and volunteers. Some scented fabric softeners have also caused reactions. Page 7 �Parting Glance Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDS Question #11 How to talk about using condoms It can be very difficult to talk about condoms or safer sex, but it is very important. Send a signal • • Have condoms available and visible, in your bedroom, bathroom, pocket or purse Give a bouquet or a card expressing the wish to make love, and attach a condom Talk about safer sex before you have sex To raise the subject with your partner you can say: • • • “Don’t you think that people these days need to always practice safer sex?” “If our relationship is going to become sexual, we should use condoms.” “This feels really good but I want to talk about how we can have safer sex before we go any further.” If your partner does not want to use condoms say: • • • • “I find putting on condoms very exciting.” “Using condoms lets me relax and enjoy lovemaking rather than worry about the consequences.” “I’ve heard that condoms help a man last longer.” “Using condoms shows that we respect ourselves and each other.” Here are some other examples of how to talk about using condoms Question: Reply: Comment: Reply: Question: Reply: “Don’t you trust me?” “I do trust you but either of us could have a virus and not know it.” “Condoms don’t feel good.” “Let’s try it a few times. It’ll be more fun if we can both relax.” Then try putting a drop of lubricant inside the condom. You could also try using a female condom. “Aren’t you on the pill?’ “Yes, but that doesn’t stop STDs.” If you and your partner can’t agree, consider your options. If you still want to have sex, consider other safer sex activities that do not involve penetration. ————————————————————————————— This is one of a series of fact sheets developed to answer frequently asked questions from clients of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse in 1999. This material was originally produced for the Canadian Health Network Page 8 AIDS Thunder Bay Advisory Council Richard Atkinson Dr. Gordon Milne Tara Champagne Richard Thompson Nicky Tittley Don Young Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic Family Physician Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Superior Points Harm Reduction Coordinator Infection Control/ Safety, St. Joseph’s Care Group ATB Board of Directors AIDS Thunder Bay Board of Directors Sandra Cruzo Dennis Eeles Linda Geving Rob MacKay Sandra Russell Brent Trudell Fran Dutli Deborah Emery Marla Hollingsworth Ruth Racic Eunice Ryan Don Young AIDS Thunder Bay Staff Janet Adams David Belrose Stuart Boland Steven Gothard Christa Fortes Lawrence Korhonen Gail Linklater Carrie Miller Selly Pajamaki Crystal Porteous Myles Rusak Michael Sobota Opening Doors Counselling Conference Coordinator Education Coordinator IDU Outreach Worker Support Worker/Health Promoter Secretary Administration Coordinator Support Services Coordinator EHOP Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Fundraising Assistnat Executive Director Front Line Contributors Selly Pajamaki ATB staff & volunteers Editor AIDS Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - AIDS Bureau Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Health Canada (ACAP) John Andrews Foundation N.M. Paterson Foundation Elton John Foundation Mackenzie Financial Charitable Foundation Fort William Rotary Club And all of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals CLGRO Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario Box 822 Station A, Toronto Ont. M5W 1G3 Canada phone 416-405-8253 www.web.ca/clgro clgro@web.ca Contact us. Work with us. Join us. �A WORD OR TWO…………. From The Health Promoter Steven Gothard So who is this new face around the office? He kind of looks a little like Stuart (with the long hair and all). He seems to like the look and feel of a good pair of cords, seems to be a walking canvass for one of our local tattoo artists, and has what could loosely be called a beard (not sure its purpose during these hot summer months, but to each their own). Well I won't keep you in suspense any longer. My name is Steven Gothard and I am the new Support Services/ Health Promotion Worker here at AIDS Thunder Bay, and I am very pleased to be a part of the AIDS Thunder Bay team. Now I won't let the whole cat out of the bag, but to give you an idea of what to expect when you see me around the agency I'll share a little about myself ( you will have to come see me in person to get more dirt). I have been working in Thunder Bay on and off for the last 12 years in the human services field. I started my career off with New Foundations Clubhouse and through the Clubhouse Program have had the opportunity to work in Minneapolis and Toronto. Recently I have been concentrating on providing services and outreach to our homeless population (most specifically "at risk youth") working with CAS, HRDC, Haven House and LSPC. I have coordinated an anti-racism program through local school boards as well as working in Harm Reduction with Superior Points Harm Reduction Program. The majority of my work has focused on advocating and providing outreach services for homeless people and youth at risk, providing research information for community proposals, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles and assisting IDU with quality of life issues and I have to say that I truly enjoy working with all the people I have had the great honor to meet over the years. Recently I have also been spending time on the beautiful west coast. Specifically, Squamish British Columbia, where I am a member of the Brakendale Players. We perform two Shakespearian shows a year, one in Oregon, USA and one in Squamish at Christmas (the Christmas show is in it's 7th year) and I love being on stage. Living in BC also allowed me the opportunity to volunteer on the east end of Vancouver and learn about how that community is addressing issues, such as HIV/AIDS, Hep C, Intravenous Drug Use, and the fight for dignity and respect of all peoples. But what I really am proud of and excited about is this opportunity to work with the clients, volunteers and staff of AIDS Thunder Bay. I truly believe in the intrinsic value of all humans (to steal a line from Don Young of Superior Points) and I feel that this new job allows me the chance to work directly with people in helping to change the attitudes and environment of Thunder Bay. I may look younger than my years; however, I assure you that I have a good deal of experience and a fire in my belly to do all in my power to support the clients of AIDS Thunder Bay. Beyond that I enjoy music (it is actually what allows me to see the beauty in everything around me), doing spoken word, hanging with my dog Slyde, going backcountry hiking in the beautiful woods around "the big lake they call Gitche Gumee", activist work, and writing for The Independent Media Centre, to name just a few. Well I think that I have gone on quite long enough, however, I would like to invite you to visit with me at the office or have a coffee in the community. I would cherish the opportunity to get to know all of you and look forward to letting you see a little more of who I am as well as building working relationships that help make life a little bit easier and support your needs. So that's about me……..now what about you. Well I was thinking about what I wanted my first submission to the newsletter to look like and after tossing around a couple of ideas, I decided what I wanted to talk about was sex. A topic that often comes up during coffee with friends, but one that I think is very important to talk about when considering a healthy sex life and HIV/AIDS. It's not hard to imagine that one’s first response to sex after testing positive is that of "I'll never be able to have sex again" or "sex will never feel good ever again" or even more specific thoughts of "I never want to have sex again". Well I guess the answers to these questions are quite simple, you can have a healthy, safe, wonderful sex life despite your status. It is important to acknowledge that sex is an important part of many of our lives and assists us in having a healthy, enjoyable life, and to understand that this is not at all hindered by your HIV/AIDS status. What is also important to acknowledge is that in order to ensure that this is true (that one can have a healthy, enjoyable, safe sex life) one must practice SAFER SEX. Now I would encourage all peoples to practice SAFER SEX, but it is especially important when you are positive or your partner is positive. Safer sex is important even if both individuals are positive, as the HIV virus can be different in each person and may mutate to a new strain of the virus if the two come together (as could happen if one is practicing unsafe sex). So you ask yourself what is SAFER SEX, and to put it simply it is the practice of protecting oneself during any sexual activity where there is a risk of transmitting HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. Safer sex is a loving way to express your intimate feelings to your partner and is for anyone regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation. I believe that all people wanting to engage in healthy sexual activity (regardless of what that activity may be) should be encouraged to do so, with zeal and safety. At the office we have a pamphlet called "Safer Sex Menu" and it details risk factors for specific sexual activities. Examples being Dry kissing No Risk to Anal intercourse (without condom) - High Risk. This booklet is an excellent resource for those who are sexually active and gives wonderful examples of fun, exciting No and Low Risk activities. I would suggest this to Front Line Insert 1 �A Word or Two continued… anyone who is sexually active. When considering sex after transmission a few key things should be present: ALWAYS WEAR A CONDOM (if of course you have a penis or one is entering your body) even during oral sex, Use dental dams/ barriers (can be made by cutting a condom down one side) when performing sexual acts to the vagina or anus, such as cunnilingus or rimming (licking the anus), Use plenty of lube, this prevents tearing (tearing means that blood is present and can lead to transmission) and can add to the enjoyment of sex i.e. using flavored lube, Never share sex toys unless they have been disinfected or a new condom is being used and even then you should not share your vibrators or dildos , etc. with anyone else, and always be aware of body fluid (such as blood, seamen and vaginal fluid) that is present when participating in sexual activities. Even small things such as not brushing your teeth before sex (brushing often induces bleeding of the gums) can reduce the threat of transmission as it reduces the chances of blood being present. Theses are just a few of the practices that make sex safer (hence the term SAFER SEX) and enjoyable regardless of your status. But remember that there is a tremendous amount of educational material available, such as the Safer Sex Menu, and that this information is there to help you continue to enjoy and participate in healthy sexual activity. So until the next newsletter, be safe and do some more research on your own and continue to have sensual, erotic, exciting, and SAFER sex with those whom you love as well as those who you only want to fuck. Live and Love Steven Gothard New Service for People with Disabilities!!! The City of Thunder Bay, in partnership with the Leisure Resource-Thunder Bay Committee, recognizes that identification of support persons for people with disabilities has been a barrier in the past. We are proud to introduce the P.A.L. card! (Personal Attendant for Leisure) A P.A.L. card allows a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person (P.A.L.) to participate in designated City of Thunder Bay Recreation and Culture division programs/facilities. The P.A.L. will not be charged admission to these programs/facilities. A P.A.L. can be any person chosen by a person with a disability who is able to provide the support that they need to participate in and perform recreation and leisure activities. A P.A.L. can be a family member, friend, paid support, or a volunteer. P.A.L. card applications are available at all City of Thunder Bay recreation facilities, Victoriaville Civic Centre, or by calling 625-2930. Apply now for your FREE P.A.L card!!! Front Line Insert 2 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource FrontLine Vol 18 Issue 2 - Summer 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of AIDS Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2005 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2713/2005_FrontLine_vol18no3.pdf 0652c87bd6d38221c4054f0b61858d74 PDF Text Text Anniversary Reflections Volume 18 Issue 3 Fall 2005 Inside this issue: Fundraising News 2 Fundraising continued 3 Visual AIDS/Visions and Light 4 Support Services/ EHOP Update 5 News from the Volunteer Department 6 Here and There... 7 Parting glance 8 AIDS Thunder Bay has come through a remarkable anniversary year. Most of you know this is our 20th Anniversary. We launched a year of special activities last November by presenting R.E.M. to Thunder Bay in an amazing concert at the Fort William Gardens. We updated our web-site and posted a brief history of our organization. In Spring of this year, we hosted a HIV Treatment Information dinner for clients and caregivers. We created an "archive" project that saw thousands of our documents, photos, posters and important materials transferred to digital discs - the better to preserve them for future reference. We produced and have for sale a 20th anniversary souvenir wrist band. The band is made of red leather and is inscribed with our anniversary theme: "reflect. connect. respect." The wrist bands have proved so popular, they have gone into their third re-order! Special articles about our anniversary have appeared in various issues of this newsletter this year. Throughout the year, we have been engaged as co-champions of a regional planning initiative designed to capture how to address HIV/ AIDS in Northwestern Ontario. The final planning report should be completed next month. In late summer, we hosted a "c'mon home family reunion picnic". A great crowd of past and present volunteers and supporters gathered at Centennial Park for music, food and a bit of magic. In September, we presented THE Ice Show at the Fort William Gardens. Again, a spectacular show brought thousands of people to standing ovations for some of Canada's and the world's top figure skaters. As you read this, you still have time to catch an extraordinary poster exhibition at the Definitely Superior Gallery. The exhibit, called "Visual AIDS - 20 Years On" features international, Canadian and locally created AIDS education posters. It is an astonishing picture of education and prevention efforts from around the globe, covering the past two decades. We will bring this anniversary year to a close at our 20th Anniversary Annual General Meeting at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery on Thursday, November 24. Everyone who attends will receive special gifts and real roses. Please come and join us to honour this remarkable year, and help us launch the next phase of AIDS Thunder Bay's work. Michael Sobota, Executive Director �special events & activities MYSTERION THE MIND READER & MARCUS THE MAGICIAN Tickets: $13.00 Available at: AIDS Thunder Bay L.U. Outpost L.U. Student Union Painted Turtle New Global Experience Friday, October 28th @ 7 p.m. at the Lakehead University Outpost Mysterion the Mind Reader is Toronto's foremost mentalist, with a PHD in ESP. Expect the unexpected from this mad Doctor at this Halloween Hoopla! Telepathy with random spectators, thought reading of words, numbers & objects, mind mental bending of forks, keys, nails and spoons! Mysterion Knows what you're thinking! In addition, see his side show of bizarre and strange exhibits – Siamese turtles, albino squirrel, evidence of big foot and more! Opening for Mysterion is Thunder Bay’s only Fire Manipulator Marcus The Magician through a virtual fire show! Witness as he performs his one of a kind fire manipulation act. This dangerous performance includes juggling of a burning staff, breathing fireballs eight feet high and swallowing of the most dangerous element known to man. Page 2 �AIDS Thunder Bay would like to 1st Place - Selly Pajamaki - $2,760 thank all of the hard working 2nd Place - Dennis Eeles - $2133.36 individuals and teams who have 3rd Place - Diane Buta—$465.00 helped to make our fundraising efforts a huge success. This Top School: years AIDS Walk For Life raised L.U.’s Criptastick $240.00 $14,000! This event couldn’t have happened without those Congratulations to First Church who gave their time and energy United for being Top Team 5 yrs. and truly made this a walk to in a row! $3,040.36 remember. AGM Silent Auction Donations for this years AMG silent auction are greatly appreciated. Books, crafts, movies, art and seasonal ornaments are a few suggestions. The meeting will be held on Thursday, October 24th at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. Donations will be accepted until November 18th. We are still collecting A&P receipts for the agency. ATB receives $1.00 for every $450.00 spent. Look for the new collection box located at the River Street Store; an easy and convenient way to deposit your receipts right at the store. A collection box is also located in the lobby of the office. ATB has been taking part in this donation program for the past three years. Your support has helped us raise over $230.00 This is an easy fundraiser that many people take part in, some have even set up envelopes at their places of work to collect co-workers receipts. Page 3 �Visual AIDS: 20 Years On - International Poster Exhibition AIDS Thunder Bay and Definitely Superior Art Gallery have partnered to present the international poster exhibition Visual AIDS: 20 Years On. As we honour our 20th Anniversary this year with the theme reflect. connect. respect., one of the anniversary events is the exhibition of posters at Definitely Superior Art Gallery. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been notable for the range of social marketing material that has been developed around the world. Designed to promote prevention, to encourage support, to educate, to advocate, to address stigma and discrimination, these materials have been created in a variety of styles, from creative art to simple sloganeering to depictions of sexuality. Some of the images may be controversial to some, as they reflect the need to address the full range of risky behaviours that contribute to the spread of HIV. This exhibition features a selection of posters from around the world and from various stages of the history of the epidemic. Many of these posters have never been shown publicly here in Thunder Bay. The exhibition includes posters produced locally by AIDS Thunder Bay over its twenty year history. Visual AIDS: 20 Years On runs until November 5. Definitely Superior Art Gallery is located at 250 Park Ave., Suite 101 (former Eaton’s building) and is open from noon to 6:00 pm. Tuesday to Saturday. Admission is free and donations are welcome. Visions & Light Film Festival – November 3 - 6 This is the fourth year of the festival co-sponsored by AIDS Thunder Bay, Canadian Mental Health Association and Centre for Addictions and Mental Health. The opening film is FIX: The story of an addicted city, a free screening at Confederation College on Thursday, Nov. 3. There are eleven great films over the weekend, including Bear Cub and Latter Days, and information about all films is available at www.visionsandlight.com. Page 4 �SECRET SANTA Christmas can be a lonely time of year for many people. Being a part of our Secret Santa Project brightens the season and lifts the spirits for everyone involved. As a Santa you provide presents for an individual or a family who might otherwise not have anything to celebrate. Your kindness can help someone feel connected to the community. If you are too busy to shop you can give money which will be used to purchase presents or Christmas foods. Please make cheques payable to AIDS Thunder Bay, but designate the funds to the Secret Santa Project. For more information call Gail at AIDS Thunder Bay 345-1516 or Ruth at 345-0166. EHOP Update…. From Carrie Miller (EHOP Coordinator) In May a Legal Literacy Workshop was offered to clients. Some of the topics included Human Rights, Court Process and Relationship Abuse. A wide variety of social activities have taken place during the last couple months that have included The Ice Show, Border Cats Baseball game and the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition. The Fall PHA Retreat took place in September at the beautiful Mink Mountain Resort. Some of the activities included complementary therapies, arts & crafts, fishing and nature walks. We would like to give a big thanks to the volunteers and complementary therapists that offered their valuable time and services. The following article is reproduced from the website (http://sitochiropractic.com) for educational purposes. The information is presented as a point of interest; it does not necessarily reflect the opinion of AIDS Thunder Bay. Chiropractic Care Increases Quality of Life For HIV/AIDS Patients By Michael Dorausch, D.C. A recent article in Up & Coming Weekly Magazine suggests that chiropractic care can offer greater immune competence to people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious diseases. According to clinical studies reported on in the article, chiropractic was shown to boost immune system function, help with secondary symptoms such as peripheral neuropathy, and provided reduction in stress. The article states that, "All of these are empowering HIV/AIDS patients to live a more positive quality of life. This in turn increases life expectancy." The article suggests success from several other clinical studies involving chiropractic and immune system function. A researcher involved in one study stated, "Chiropractic patients (in the study) had 200 percent greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic, and 400 percent greater immune competence than people with cancer or other serious disease." The article goes on to define a vertebral subluxation as being comprised of five components. Spinal kinesiopathology - the inability to comfortably turn neck, hips, or back in every direction. Neuropathophysiology - Impingement of nerves creating numbness, tingling, pain or pins and needles. Myopathology - tight, spastic, weak, sore, and/or overly sensitive muscular responses. Histopathology - swelling, tenderness, painful spots, and other soft tissue changes. Pathophysiology - muscles, joints, ligaments, and organs show wear and tear and premature aging. The article suggests that increasing ones quality of life and symbiotically decreasing stress plays a major part in life expectancy. The final sentence says it all... "If you aren't under chiropractic, then you are not allowing your body to perform at 100 percent." Page 5 �News from the Volunteer Department Here’s what’s happening in the coming months: *Mysterion the Mind reader—Oct 28 *Halloween Waffle Breakfast— Oct 29 *Staying Alive Bowling Party— Feb *Valentine’s Waffle Breakfast— Feb If you would like to volunteer for any of these events, please call Selly at 345-1516. Also watch for many 20th Anniversary events: *November 3-6—Visions & Light Film Festival *November—20th AGM *AIDS Awareness Week—late Nov Volunteer Activities We continue to be very busy with fall events including Mysterion the Mind Reader, the Halloween Waffle Breakfast, Visions and Light Film Festival, the Annual General Meeting and Silent Auction, and AIDS Awareness Week. If you are interested in volunteering at any of these events, please call Selly at 345-1516, ext. 12. Do you have your tickets for Mysterion the Mind Reader? It’s going to be an intriguing show. Marcus the Magician, otherwise known as our very own Myles Rusak, will be opening for Mysterion. Be sure and attend our Annual General Meeting on Thursday, November 24 at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery (on the Confederation College campus). The first 50 people will receive a 20th anniversary year gift pack. There will be a light lunch available at 6 p.m. We will also have our Silent Auction which looks to be another good one this year. Come and start you Christmas shopping with us. I would like to mention a very special volunteer and that is Colette Villeneuve. Colette runs our bingos and does a fantastic job of it. We really appreciate all the time she puts into bingo for ATB. She not only runs the bingos (and very capably), she also finds most of the volunteers for each bingo. That is a big job and we extend sincere thanks to her. Page 6 �Here and There... 2005 Northwestern Ontario Opening Doors HIV/AIDS Counselling Conference AIDS Thunder Bay hosted its’ 14th annual Opening Doors HIV/AIDS Counselling Conference at the Victoria Inn on Oct 13th & 14th, 2005. This year we had 96 registrants for the conference including several Pharmacists and Physicians who were invited to attend the Treatment Information Night. Dr. John Goodhew, an HIV/AIDS specialist from Toronto, was the keynote speaker at the Treatment Information Dinner. He outlined the developments in HIV/AIDS treatments over the past 20 years and highlighted new options that are going to be available in the near future. The conference was opened with a Plenary of individuals from around Northwestern Ontario who shared their experiences of living with HIV/AIDS in our region. This was in response to requests at previous conferences to have more “personal stories” and to give conference attendees a frame of reference for the rest of the conference. Workshop topics included Counselling Northern Youth, Aboriginal Substance Use & Risk Taking Behaviours, Sex with Stu & Lori Too (talking about sex) and OW/ODSP Extras: The Untold Story. The second Plenary highlighted the epidemiology of HIV and STDs in the Northwest, covered the basics of epidemiology, and how sexual health clinics, including Anonymous Testing, function in prevention of and response to local epidemics. The final Plenary, made up of PHAs and service providers, focused on putting Harm Reduction Theory into practice on a daily basis. Review of the evaluations so far shows that conference participants enjoyed the event and found the Plenaries and Workshops useful and informative. AIDS Thunder Bay would like to thank our conference funder, The Ontario Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care, AIDS Bureau, and our sponsors, Gilead Sciences Canada Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Virology, GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with Shire BioChem, Boehringer Ingelheim and the MAC AIDS Fund. The conference coordinator, Janet Adams, would like to thank the members of the ODCC Planning Committee, the presenters, especially those of you who shared your personal lives with us, all the volunteers who helped make our event a success, and especially Christa… thanks for all your hard work… without you we could not have made this event a success!! Suggestions? Compliments? Feedback? ATB has a “suggestion box”. We invite your comments or suggestions about any aspect of our agency or services. The box is located near our reception area. You may offer suggestions anonymously—however, if you are asking for a response back to you, we need your name and phone number. We hope the suggestion box will be used with a sense of good will and a spirit of support and encouragement. That’s how we offer it to you. For Information About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 About Superior Points: Call 624-2005, 625-8830 or 625-8831 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay Call 625-5981 or 624-2000 About Regular HIV Testing Call the Sexual Health Clinics 625-5976 or 624-2000 About Counselling or Referrals Call AIDS Thunder Bay 345-1516 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Service bilingue disponible CATIE Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca internet: www.catie.ca The opinions and medical information offered by “Front Line” are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of AIDS Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Please address any comments or concerns to: Front Line P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Or, e-mail us at: info@aidsthunderbay.org Visit us on the internet at: www.aidsthunderbay.org Page 7 �Parting Glance Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDS Question #12 Is there a cure for HIV/AIDS? No. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. Although some very strong drugs are now being used to slow down the disease, they do not get rid of HIV or cure AIDS. The drug treatments are called Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapies (HAART). They are a mix o drugs such as AZT, 3TC, ddI and a protease inhibitor. Together they help to reduce the level of HIV in the blood. HAART can help to slow down HIV and keep some people healthy longer. Even though HAART are better than anything else so far, they do have some problems: • They don’t work for all people. • Some people have very bad side effects from the drugs themselves or from the way those drugs mix with other drugs they are taking. These people may have to stop treatment. • The drugs can cost thousands of dollars each year, and some people cannot afford them. • People using treatments must take many pills each day, for the rest of their lives. • If people forget to take their pills, the HIV virus in their body may get stronger and may not respond to any drugs at all. • We do not know how safe these treatments are or how well they will work over time. Not all people who need HAART have access to treatment. An Ontario study found that only half of the people living with HIV/AIDS are getting HAART. Other research shows that certain groups, such as women and those who inject drugs, are less likely to get this treatment. AIDS Thunder Bay Advisory Council Richard Atkinson Dr. Gordon Milne Tara Champagne Richard Thompson Nicky Tittley Don Young Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic Family Physician Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Superior Points Harm Reduction Coordinator Infection Control/ Safety, St. Joseph’s Care Group ATB Board of Directors AIDS Thunder Bay Board of Directors Sandra Cruzo Dennis Eeles Linda Geving Rob MacKay Sandra Russell Brent Trudell Karen Vescio, Recorder Fran Dutli Deborah Emery Marla Hollingsworth Ruth Racic Eunice Ryan Don Young AIDS Thunder Bay Staff Janet Adams David Belrose Stuart Boland Steven Gothard Christa Fortes Lawrence Korhonen Gail Linklater Carrie Miller Selly Pajamaki Crystal Porteous Michael Sobota Opening Doors Counselling Conference Coordinator Education Coordinator IDU Outreach Worker Support Worker/Health Promoter Secretary Administration Coordinator Support Services Coordinator EHOP Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Executive Director Front Line Contributors Selly Pajamaki ATB staff & volunteers Editor AIDS Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: ♦ Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - AIDS Bureau Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Health Canada (ACAP) John Andrews Foundation N.M. Paterson Foundation Elton John Foundation Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Fort William Rotary Club When some people find out about the new treatments, they may think they are safe. They may start to take risks. These treatments do NOT make it safer to take chances. We still don’t know how HAART affect the spread of HIV. And the risk of spreading HIV is still very real because as many as 15,000 Canadians may have HIV and not know it. ♦ There is still no cure for HIV/AIDS. To reduce the risk of getting HIV/AIDS, people still need to practise safer sex and not share needles to inject drugs. And all of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals ————————————————————————————— This is one of a series of fact sheets developed to answer frequently asked questions from clients of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse in 1999. This material was originally produced for the Canadian Health Network Page 8 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ CLGRO Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario Box 822 Station A, Toronto Ont. M5W 1G3 Canada phone 416-405-8253 www.web.ca/clgro clgro@web.ca Contact us. Work with us. Join us. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource FrontLine Vol 18 Issue 3 - Fall 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of AIDS Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2005 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2714/2006_FrontLine_vol19no1.pdf 98d55643bdf1ba4ad267177d87111831 PDF Text Text Volume 19 Issue 1 Agency Move Is More Than Physical Relocation Spring 2006 Inside this issue: Fundraising News 2 Fundraising continued 3 Education Update 4 Support Services 5 News from the Volunteer Department 6 Here and There... 7 Parting glance 8 OFFICIAL MOVING NOTICE: Our office is closed May 25 and 26 for our move. AIDS Thunder Bay is re l o c a t i n g to 574 Memorial Avenue. May 24 is the final date to access our services at 217 S. Algoma Street. Our doors will re-open on Monday, May 29 at 574 Memorial Avenue. Please be patient during this transition period. Thank you. With AIDS Thunder Bay's relocation to 574 Memorial Avenue, we are turning a corner and moving energetically ahead into a new phase of our existence. The new site will provide more space, larger offices, an expanded meeting/board room, larger reception area, more windows and lots of light. The building at 574 Memorial Avenue has been designed and completely renovated to meet ATB's programming and service needs. This includes, for the first time in our twenty-year history, an on-site HIV clinical care program. This program will utilize the expertise of Medical Director Dr. Greg Gamble and several other health care professionals, who will offer clinical services in 2 newly finished exam rooms. The clinical service will also be able to extend tele-health out into the region, utilizing the collaboration of North Network and its equipment. The clinical program will launch later in 2006. The shift for AIDS Thunder Bay is more than physical: it is addressing the challenges HIV/AIDS presents us - in Thunder Bay and the region - with programs and capacities that we have not been able to thus far. It is embracing modern technologies - tele-health and internet outreach - in ways that will be creative, aggressive, engaging. All of this is about a fresh attitude and approach to implementing our mission: confronting HIV/AIDS through prevention, support, education and advocacy. You will see other changes in the months ahead, including programs and individuals, as we move into this new era. Welcome to our new location. Thank you for your continued support. Help us deliver more innovative prevention, support and advocacy. Stay tuned for more changes. Consider Supporting Our Supporters AIDS Thunder Bay has launched a major raffle, which you can read more about elsewhere in this newsletter (and check out our website). The "Wheels To Win" Raffle has substantial support from local businesses. They have gone the extra mile to make this raffle work for AIDS Thunder Bay. So if you can, consider supporting our supporters. If you are in the market for a bicycle or a tune-up for the one you already own, please consider Brian Coutts and his independent, family-owned and run local bike shop: Rollin' Thunder on Algoma Street. If you want a skate board, consider Sport Mart. If you have printing needs, give a call to Print Pros. And, if you can consider purchasing a new vehicle, please consider Honda vehicles at Gore Motors. All of these local businesses are working to make our raffle work. We thank them. �special events & activities Sponsored By: Wheels To Win A Raffle Fundraiser For AIDS Thunder Bay GRAND PRIZE: 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE from GORE MOTORS Second Prize: 16” Rocky Mountain Trailhead Bicycle from Rollin’ Thunder Third Prize: Krown Skateboard from Sport Mart And $1000.00 CASH Early Bird Draw! Tickets $20.00 Only 6000 Tickets Printed! Grand Prize Draw: December 1, 2006 Early Bird Draw: September 24, 2006 at the AIDS Walk For Life Tickets available at: AIDS Thunder Bay, GORE Motors, Rollin’ Thunder and by calling (807) 345-1516 Sponsored By: Page 2 Contributing Sponsors: Print Sponsor: �Sunday, September 24, 2006 AIDS Thunder Bay’s NEW Location! In light of our office relocation, we’ve decided to plan as many fun and exciting events as possible to “break in” the new facility. Thus, this year’s AIDS Walk will take place at our NEW location, 574 Memorial Avenue. As always we encourage you and your entire family to take part. Remember, a family can be made up of parents, kids, partners and friends! Over the years many people have become a part of AIDS Thunder Bay’s family. We would love to see you at this and other events! Consider it a year long reunion party! And remember with the Wheels To Win early bird draw taking place at the walk, You just might walk away $1000 richer! We are in the midst of planning a number of activities that will take place at our new location, in conjunction with the AIDS Walk. Tune into our website to keep posted on the Walk’s development! For fun… We are still collecting A&P receipts for the agency. ATB receives $1.00 for every $450.00 spent. Look for the new collection box located at the River Street Store; an easy and convenient way to deposit your receipts right at the store. A collection box is also located in the lobby of the ATB office. ATB has been taking part in this donation program for the past three years. Your support has helped us raise over $300.00 This is a fundraiser that many people take part in, some have even set up envelopes at their places of work! For family… For life… Our events couldn’t happen without our “behind the scenes crew”. The volunteers who come out time and time again to help with fundraising activities. Over the past few months AIDS Thunder Bay has had several fundraising events that have been almost entirely volunteer-driven. Each of these events has been a tremendous success and we would like to extend a heart-filled thank you to each and every individual who gives their time to this agency and to their community. Your efforts are appreciated, recognized and in every way reflect the sense of community that AIDS Thunder Bay strives to keep alive and strong. Again, thank you volunteers. It’s been a pleasure and we look forward to many more days together. Page 3 �EDUCATION UPDATE HIV Testing at AIDS Thunder Bay Over the past year, both AIDS Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay District Health unit have run campaigns promoting HIV testing in the region. We know that many people may be living with HIV and not be aware of the fact. This can increase the possibility of the spread of HIV in our communities. A recent evaluation of the campaign showed that many people saw the campaign, and significant numbers thought about or planned to get tested. Anonymous HIV testing is available at AIDS Thunder Bay through the auspices of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. Anyone wishing to be tested can set up an appointment at our agency by calling the anonymous testing number 625-5981. A public health nurse will carry out the testing and provide anonymous results which are not linked to any name. The process is completely confidential and no one at AIDS Thunder Bay will know the results. Anonymous HIV testing is a free and safe way to find out your HIV status without fear of anyone else finding out that information. Call us at 345-1516 if you have questions about this, or call 625-5981 to set up an appointment for testing. Act globally! Act locally! Stephen Lewis – AIDS Walk For Life Stephen Lewis is coming to Thunder Bay this fall. AIDS Thunder Bay is pleased to be working with Friends of Africa – Thunder Bay who are bringing in Stephen Lewis to speak on AIDS in Africa. He will be at the Community auditorium on Friday, September 22. Stephen Lewis is the UN Special Envoy on AIDS in Africa and head of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. A powerful, dynamic speaker, Mr. Lewis has been a passionate and tireless advocate appealing to the conscience of world governments. All proceeds from his presentation will go to the Stephen Lewis foundation. On Sunday, September 24, AIDS Thunder Bay will hold its annual fundraising AIDS Walk For Life. This is the major fundraising event of the year for the agency. All proceeds from this walk stay in Thunder Bay and go to support the programs and services of AIDS Thunder Bay. Take in both these events and see the interdependent connection between local and global events. Positive Spaces, Healthy Places Peer Research Assistant Hired Hello Everyone, My name is John Hamm. I’m currently serving as Peer Research Assistant for the Positive Spaces Healthy Places project. The study being conducted requires positive people to be surveyed to better understand the health and housing needs of people living with HIV/ AIDS in Ontario. For anyone interested, the interview will take about an hour and a half for the first round, and an honorarium of $50 will be paid upon completion of the survey. There is a toll free number you can call and your info then will be passed on to me. I will then contact you to set up an appointment at your easiest convenience. 1-866-301-2548 Thank You John Hamm Page 4 �SUPPORT SERVICES New Staff Member Over the past year the Support Team has gone through a series of changes. Once again we are welcoming a new Support Worker. Chris Barbini comes to us from a background at Shelter House and Haven House. So Chris is aware of many of the issues surrounding income security and housing. Chris will be working as a support worker and as an outreach worker. Change holds both opportunity and challenge. Some people might be asking themselves, “Why should I try working with someone else? Why should I bother trusting another worker?” This may be a challenge. If you come by to meet Chris I’m sure you will find him cheerful, engaging and committed to working with people. This may be the opportunity. The support team welcomes Chris and I hope you will, too. Gail Linklater, Support Services Coordinator Hello everyone! I am pleased to be working with AIDS Thunder Bay as the Support Worker/Injection Drug Use Outreach Worker, and I look forward to meeting all of you. My background consists of education and experience in the social services field, most notably as a support worker at Shelter House and the Salvation Army Haven House. I am passionate about this type of work, as it provides me with challenges and allows me to do what I enjoy most - interacting with people. I am certain my time here will prove to be both enriching and rewarding to my personal and professional development, as I consider the work I do to be meaningful and important to myself and those I have the opportunity to serve. If you are curious and would like to put a face to the name, or if you have any questions or comments, please leave me a message or feel free to drop by. Hope to see you soon! Chris Barbini POSITIVE SPACES HEALTHY PLACES COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH exploring HIV, housing & health Over the past three years a partnership was developed between community-based AIDS service organizations (ASOs) and researchers from York and McMaster Universities to study the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) as they relate to health and well-being. The partnership identified that housing may be the greatest unmet need among PHAs and that specific housing supports to ensure safety, health and dignity, varied among PHAs. It was also recognized that there was an overall lack of research in the area, particularly in Canada; and this lack of information was seen as a barrier to the adequate understanding of the current situation in Ontario and ability to plan for the future. Most recently, collaborative efforts of the partnership have resulted in the successful funding of a three year province wide community-based research (CBR) initiative, with the aim to examine housing and health in the context of HIV; and to assess the current and projected housing needs of PHAs in Ontario. This CBR initiative is being funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN), Wellesley Central Health Corporation, the AIDS Bureau and the Ontario AIDS Network (OAN). If you are living with HIV, then you know that where you live is just as important to your health as how you live. By participating in this study, you will be helping to shape the way PHAs live, for the better. Your participation is completely confidential. An honorarium will be provided. AIDS Thunder Bay is a partner in this research. John Hamm has been hired as a local Peer Research Assistant and will be conducting interviews throughout northern Ontario. To find out more: www.healthyhousing.ca or phone 1-866-642-0181 Page 5 �News from the Volunteer Department Here’s what’s happening in the coming months: *Raffle Ticket Sales– various locations and dates *AIDS Walk—Sun. Sept 24 *AGM/Silent Auction If you would like to volunteer for any of these events, please call Selly at 345-1516. Page 6 Volunteer Activities Our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event will be taking place later than usual this year. We will be holding it on Thursday, June 8, 2006 at our new location at 574 Memorial Ave. This will give our volunteers an opportunity to check out the new building and to meet and socialize with a light supper before the awards presentation. Watch for your invitation to be arriving in the mail soon! If you have a valid driver’s license and time on your hands, give me a call. We are looking for volunteer drivers to take people to appointments and on outings or to deliver posters around town. This isn’t a regularly scheduled volunteer assignment—you may be asked to drive once a week or several times, depending on what is happening that particular week. Check the list next to this column for upcoming events. If there’s something you’re interested in, call 345-1516, extension 12 and I’ll sign you up. Check our website or call me about upcoming events—we would like you to be a part of them. Many People Assisted With Agency Relocation The complexity of housing AIDS Thunder Bay in a physical plant that will best support our programs and services, required many individuals efforts - some of those indeed were heroic. It all began several years ago as the lease ran out on our Algoma Street offices. Staff, clients and the board were surveyed about what we thought AIDS Thunder Bay should look like in a new home, what did we need, what did we want. Then followed several more years of identifying various sites in the city, and working toward securing a location. There were many energetic discussions at several annual Board and Staff retreats. The offer to AIDS Thunder Bay to start an on-site HIV clinical care program shifted the building requirements and supported the economics of relocating to a larger, completely renovated site. So the first place to offer thanks is to our core funder: the AIDS Bureau, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Their sustained support of the communitybased effort in Ontario has never wavered. AIDS Thunder Bay deeply appreciates that support. Through this long journey to 574 Memorial Avenue, the Board of Directors and, in particular, the Executive Officers, have supported the effort and gave unanimous approvals at various critical stages. We have had the collaboration of an excellent local architectural firm: Kutch Stevenson Gibson Mallo (KSGM), with the specific guidance of senior partner John Stevenson and associate architect Cory Stechyshyn. The general contractor for site renovations was C.A. Johnson Electric Ltd. ATB had an internal staff coordinating committee made up of Administration Coordinator Lawrence Korhonen, Support Services Coordinator Gail Linklater, Fund Development Coordinator Crystal Porteous (initially) and then Myles Rusak, and Executive Director Michael Sobota. Staff, volunteers, clients provided ideas, advice, support. But when all is said and done, there is one individual who carried the complex responsibility of being a Project Manager. AIDS Thunder Bay is genuinely grateful for the many hours put in, many meetings attended, many insights and attention to numerous details that Lawrence brought to the overall project management. To everyone who helped us on our journey to 574 Memorial Avenue, thank you. �Here and There... Front Line Newsletter Suggestions? Compliments? Feedback? We are now posting our newsletter online. It is in Adobe PDF format so it can be read online or printed out. If you are now receiving our newsletter by snail mail and you have an email address, PLEASE send us your email address so we can add you to the email newsletter list. This will help reduce costs and allow us to keep producing the newsletter. Send your email address to info@aidsthunderbay.org ATB has a “suggestion box”. We invite your comments or suggestions about any aspect of our agency or services. The box is located near our reception area. You may offer suggestions anonymously—however, if you are asking for a response back to you, we need your name and phone number. We hope the suggestion box will be used with a sense of good will and a spirit of support and encouragement. That’s how we offer it to you. Have You Purchased Your ATB Membership? Is your membership up-to-date? If you would like to renew or purchase a membership, please fill out this form and mail or fax it to: AIDS Thunder Bay P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Phone #: 345-1516 Fax #: 345-2505 Or, bring your completed form into the office at 217 S. Algoma St., Thunder Bay, Ontario Name: ____________________________________ Address: __________________________________ __________________________________ Postal Code: _______________________________ Phone #: (Work)____________(Home)___________ When calling, would you prefer us to use discretion? Yes _____ No _____ Would you like to receive information by email? Yes _____ No _____ Email address: ________________________________________ This information may be used in future to contact you about fundraising/special events. Please note, AIDS Thunder Bay does not exchange mailing lists. All lists are confidential. For Information About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 About Superior Points: Call 624-2005, 625-8830 or 625-8831 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay Call 625-5981 or 624-2000 About Regular HIV Testing Call the Sexual Health Clinics 625-5976 or 624-2000 About Counselling or Referrals Call AIDS Thunder Bay 345-1516 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Service bilingue disponible CATIE Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange 1-800-263-1638 Basic membership $10.00 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Supporting membership $25.00 email: info@catie.ca I would also like to donate $_____ Attention all clients, volunteers and visitors to the AIDS Thunder Bay office. We are a ‘scent-free’ building. Please do not wear colognes, perfumes, aftershave, or scented makeup or hairspray when visiting our premises. They have been known to cause allergic reactions for staff, clients and volunteers. Some scented fabric softeners have also caused reactions. internet: www.catie.ca The opinions and medical information offered by “Front Line” are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of AIDS Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Please address any comments or concerns to: Front Line P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Or, e-mail us at: info@aidsthunderbay.org Visit us on the internet at: www.aidsthunderbay.org Page 7 �Parting Glance AIDS Thunder Bay Board of Directors Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDS Question #13 Is there a “morning after” pill that prevents HIV infection? You may have heard about a morning after pill for HIV. What you are really hearing about is called PostExposure Prophylaxis (PEP). It is not a single pill, and it does not prevent HIV/AIDS. PEP is a 4-week treatment which may reduce the risk of acquiring HIV for people who have been exposed to the virus. It does not get rid of the risk completely. Here’s how PEP works: The person must take very high doses of the same drugs that are used to treat HIV/ AIDS. They have to follow a strict routine, taking many pills several times a day. They also need to have lab tests and check-ups with a doctor. The side effects of PEP may include nausea, feeling tired, swelling of the liver or kidney stones. So far, PEP has mostly been used to treat health care workers who have been exposed to HIV at work, mainly when they were accidentally pricked by a needle. One study showed that about 3 out of 10 health care workers did not finish PEP treatments. PEP has also been given to victims of sexual assault. There is a lot of debate about giving more people access to PEP. PEP costs a lot of money. For example, in Ontario, it can cost between $600-$1200 for the 4-week treatment. Sandra Cruzo Fran Dutli Dennis Eeles Marla Hollingsworth Jennifer LaVoie Ken MacKenzie Ruth Racic Sandra Russell Eunice Ryan Greg Simmons Brent Trudell Colette Villeneuve Karen Vescio, Recorder AIDS Thunder Bay Staff David Belrose Stuart Boland Chris Barbini Christa Fortes Lawrence Korhonen Gail Linklater Carrie Miller Selly Pajamaki Myles Rusak Michael Sobota Education Coordinator IDU Outreach Worker Support Worker/IDU Outreach Worker Secretary Administration Coordinator Support Services Coordinator EHOP Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Executive Director Front Line Contributors Selly Pajamaki ATB staff & volunteers Editor AIDS Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: ♦ ♦ Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care AIDS Bureau Public Health Agency of Canada, Ontario Region (ACAP) John Andrews Foundation N.M. Paterson Foundation Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Elton John Foundation Mackenzie Financial Charitable Foundation Fort William Rotary Club Right now, there is no proof that PEP works, or that it is safe. So far, studies have looked at how PEP works on health care workers who have been exposed to HIV by accident. There is no proof that PEP works on people who have been exposed to HIV during sex or when sharing needles. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Even if people have greater access to PEP in the future, it will never take the place of preventing HIV in the first place. This means people should continue to practice safer sex and not share needles. And all of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals ————————————————————————————— This is one of a series of fact sheets developed to answer frequently asked questions from clients of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse in 1999. This material was originally produced for the Canadian Health Network Page 8 CLGRO Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario Box 822 Station A, Toronto Ont. M5W 1G3 Canada phone 416-405-8253 www.web.ca/clgro clgro@web.ca Contact us. Work with us. Join us. � https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2714/2006_FrontLine_vol19no1_inserts.pdf 9e7c8c4d8d362f8d72cdde1103b81269 PDF Text Text EHOP Update…. From Carrie Miller (EHOP Coordinator) Three client support groups were held during the past six months. Topics included depression, stress, grief & loss, and self-esteem. A wide variety of social activities have taken place that have included The Paul Royter Hypnotic Comedy Show, bowling, movie night, Northwest Filmfest and two well attended client dinners. Clients attended computer training at CDI College. A Chiropractic Care & Nutrition Treatment Information Night took place in December as well as a Healthy Sexuality Workshop in March. Ongoing Complementary Therapies are offered such as Healing Touch, BodyTalk, Yoga, and Chiropractic Care. I would like to thank the following very dedicated community partners that contribute to the EHOP program: Liza Kachkowski (Healing Touch), Carole Huston (BodyTalk), Marjut Vahtola (Resting Frog Yoga), Dr. Fonso (Chiropractor), Danielle Larose (RMT), Estelle Howard (Life Coach), Julie Radford (CDI College Computer Instructor) and Tara Champagne (Thunder Bay District Health Unit). The following article is reproduced from the website (www.planetorganic.ca) for educational purposes. The information is presented as a point of interest: it does not necessarily reflect the opinion of AIDS Thunder Bay. Massage What is massage? Massage is a "hands-on" therapy in which muscles and other soft tissues of the body are manipulated to improve health and well-being. Varieties of massage range from gentle stroking and kneading of muscles and other soft tissues to deeper manual techniques. Massage has been practiced as a healing therapy for centuries in nearly every culture around the world. It helps relieve muscle tension, reduce stress, and evoke feelings of calmness. Although massage affects the body as a whole, it particularly influences the activity of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems. Are there many types of massage? There are nearly 100 different massage and body work techniques. Each technique is uniquely designed to achieve a specific goal. The most common types practiced in the United States include: • Aromatherapy massage: Essential oils from plants are massaged into the skin in order to enhance the healing and relaxing effects of massage. Essential oils are believed to have a powerful effect on mood by stimulating two structures deep in the brain known to store emotions and memory. (See the Aromatherapy monograph for more details) • Craniosacral massage: Gentle pressure is applied to the head and spine to correct imbalances and restore the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in these areas. • Lymphatic massage: Light, rhythmic strokes are used to improve the flow of lymph (colorless fluid that helps fight infection and disease) throughout the body. One of the most popular forms of lymphatic massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), focuses on draining excess lymph. MLD is commonly used after surgery (such as a mastectomy for breast cancer) to reduce swelling. • Myofascial release: Gentle pressure and body positioning are used to relax and stretch the muscles, fascia (connective tissue), and related structures. Both physical therapists and massage therapists who are appropriately trained use this technique. • On-site/chair massage: Popular in offices and other public places, on-site massage therapists use a portable chair to deliver brief, upper body massages to fully-clothed people. • Polarity therapy: A form of energy healing, polarity therapists stimulate and balance the flow of energy within the body to enhance health and well-being. • Reflexology: Specialized thumb and finger techniques are applied to the hands and/or feet. Reflexologists believe that these areas contain "reflex points" or direct connections to specific organs and structures throughout the body. • Rolfing: Pressure is applied to the fascia (connective tissue) to stretch it, lengthen it, and make it more flexible. This goal of this technique is to realign the body so that it conserves energy, releases tension, and functions better. • Shiatsu: Gentle finger and hand pressure are applied to specific points on the body to relieve pain and enhance the flow of energy (known as qi) through the body's energy pathways (called meridians). Shiatsu is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Front Line Insert 1 �• Sports massage: Often used on professional athletes and other active individuals, sports massage can enhance performance and prevent and treat sports-related injuries. • Swedish massage: A variety of strokes and pressure techniques are used to enhance the flow of blood to the heart, remove waste products from the tissues, stretch ligaments and tendons, and ease physical and emotional tension. • Trigger point massage: Pressure is applied to "trigger points" (tender areas where the muscles have been damaged) to alleviate muscle spasms and pain. How does massage work? When a practitioner massages soft tissue, electrical signals are transmitted both to the local area and throughout the body. These signals help heal damaged muscle, stimulate circulation, clear waste products via the lymphatic system, boost the activity of the immune system, reduce pain and tension, and induce a calming effect. They may also enhance a general sense of well-being by stimulating the release of endorphins (natural pain-killers and mood elevators) and reducing levels of certain stress hormones. What happens during a massage therapy session? At your first massage therapy session, the practitioner will ask you about any symptoms you may have (like low back pain) and will also ask questions about your medical history. The practitioner may also initiate a discussion about what you expect to achieve from the massage session. The therapist leaves the room while you undress and lay down on the massage table. A sheet is used as a drape during the session and is moved only to expose the part of the body being worked on at any given time. Massage oil or lotion is often used to reduce friction between the practitioner's hands and your skin. The room is kept warm and free of distractions. The therapist may have soft music playing in the background and frequently asks whether he or she is applying too much or too little pressure. The manner in which a practitioner massages your body depends on the problem being treated. A massage session can last from 15 to 90 minutes and may include a schedule of follow-up visits, depending on the severity of your situation. What is massage good for? In general, massage is believed to support healing, boost energy, reduce recovery time after an injury, ease pain, and enhance relaxation, mood, and well-being. In addition to being of value for many musculoskeletal problems such as low back pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and sprains and strains, massage may relieve depression in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, ease chronic constipation (when the technique is performed in the abdominal area), decrease swelling after a mastectomy (removal of the breast), alleviate sleep disorders, and improve self-image. In the workplace, massage has been shown to melt away stress and enhance mental alertness. Are there any risks associated with massage? In general, massage is considered relatively safe. Pain or other rare negative side effects are generally caused by an extremely vigorous massage technique. Women should be very cautious about receiving massages during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, be sure to find a therapist specifically trained to perform massages on pregnant women. Even though massage is a useful technique to help regulate blood sugar over time, if you have diabetes you should check your blood sugar after a massage session because it may be too low just following a treatment. Plus, if you have diabetes and you are receiving massage on a regular basis, you should check your blood sugar frequently to evaluate for any changes over time. Should anyone avoid massage? Massage should be avoided by people with congestive heart failure, kidney failure, infection of the superficial veins (called phlebitis) or soft tissue (called cellulitis) in the legs or elsewhere, blood clots in the legs, bleeding disorders, and contagious skin conditions. If you have cancer, you must check with your doctor before considering massage because you should not receive such treatments under certain circumstances. For example, sometimes massage can damage tissue that is fragile from chemotherapy or radiation treatments. People with rheumatoid arthritis, goiter (a thyroid disorder characterized by an enlarged thyroid), eczema and other skin lesions should not receive massage therapy during flare-ups. Experts also advise that people with osteoporosis, high fever, few platelets or white blood cells, and mental impairment, as well as those recovering from surgery, may be better off avoiding massage. Also, be sure to let your massage therapist know any medications you are taking as the treatment may influence absorption or activity of both oral and topical medications. What is the future of massage? More research is needed to determine how effective massage therapy is, which health problems improve the most from this technique, and whether it is more cost-effective than other types of treatment. Although massage is usually offered in the community by private practitioners, it is slowly being integrated into a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospice care facilities and hospitals. Front Line Insert 1 ��� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource FrontLine Vol 19 Issue 1 - Spring 2006 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of AIDS Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English