A Call for Unity

I tend to spend a lot of time on the Internet these days. Primarily because it's something to do and a way to connect with others that doesn't require money or energy, both of which are in short supply these days. Logically since this treatment seems to be dominating most areas of my life I've spent a fair amount of time connecting with others via forums, blogs, newsletters etc. I have also been on the quest for resources, support systems and advocacy both to help with my own personal needs and, well because as an Advocate/Social Worker it sort of comes naturally to me when faced with a problem or need to immediately start seeking out resources and solutions.

Online I have found some fabulous resources for information regarding Hep C and treatment, I have shared a few here on my page and will continue to do so. I have also found individuals and groups who are extremely supportive and and welcoming, in these cases the common bond of this disease has forged instant friendship and a network of information, empathy and experience.
Buuut, ok here comes the 'but', I have also encountered misinformation, prejudice and a certain amount of "us" and "them" mentality when it comes to how the disease was contracted. Most will agree that one reason we don't get a lot of public support, publicity, huge funding drives etc. is that Hep C is viewed as a "junkie" disease, or somehow otherwise unclean, the result of carelessness and personal irresponsibility. I have actually heard more than one person say, I got sick from a transfusion because of some slimeball/junkie and their drug problem.
To a certain extent I can understand their frustration, you live a clean, orderly 'by the book' life and bam you end up getting this disease. Well guess what? You can lead that kind of life style and have any number of misfortunes occur. People who have never smoked end up with lung cancer, people end up with all sorts of horrible diseases and conditions without having "done anything to deserve it". I'm reminded of the Televangelist (I can't remember which one) who, back in the 90's said that AIDS was 'God's retribution for sinful and unnatural behavior". Holy Cow! I wondered if he had ever ministered to anyone who was dying of AIDS, if he had watched them suffer the pain and despair of the illness and the heartbreak it caused to their partners, families and friends as they stood by desperately trying to help, to comfort to do anything to try to stop the horrible suffering of their loved one. Of course there are still people who feel this way, but the public perception of AIDS has changed significantly over the last decade or so. So how was this accomplished/ First of all you've got some pretty big celebrities who came out with the disease. Then you've got other celebrities who have come out in support of their peers and who who have the money and media presence to actually make people sit up and listen. Then you have grassroots organizations who were dedicated and persistent enough to organize, educate and demand to be heard. Part of what fueled their unity was the reaction to such harsh, judgemental statements as those made by Conservative Christians; nothing creates a bond like a common enemy. But seriously, if the Hep C community is going to successfully unify, to demand money for treatment, research and supportive services we have to put aside our pride  and defensiveness and division based on method of transmission. I mean really who cares how you got it? I rarely ask anyone how they contracted the disease, I want to hear about how it's affecting them now and what they're doing to cope. On the other hand I will be the first to admit that, yes, I made some reckless choices when I was younger, I did inject drugs and even shared works (equipment) with others. In 1979, no one had heard of AIDS or Hep C, at worst you might get Hep B but even that wasn't very common in my area. Does the fact that I had a drug problem mean that I deserve this disease? Believe me a drug problem already comes with plenty of negative consequences attached. Neither I, nor anyone I was using with at the time, would have knowingly donated tainted blood, so some innocent clean living person could get infected.
I'm putting out a call for  Unity and Understanding. If individuals have resentments about contracting this disease "without doing anything wrong" those are valid feelings and can be discussed in an adult manner. But this separation and infighting is preventing us from moving forward in our demand for funding, treatment options and public respect.

 We can't wait around for wealthy celebrities and PR people. We have to keep this ball rolling ourselves, to keep pushing to gain the momentum and the number of voices that will demand attention and response. I have noticed groups scattered about the country, some are really accomplishing great things; we need to learn from their models and apply their strategies to our own communities while also creating our own groups, organizations, community centers and public education campaigns, building upon each others strength and experience. It is only by working together with a common mission and respect for one another that we will dispel misconceptions, gain public awareness and truly begin to be viewed as a population of value, worth investing in, worth saving regardless of what circumstances brought us to this table.

I am working on organizing a group in my community and would love to hear from others who have thoughts, ideas, success stories, not-so-successful stories and anything else you would want to contribute to the discussion.

If you live in the Southeastern Wisconsin area and are interested in creating Community you may contact me by leaving a comment, or by email at  nanakoosa@yahoo.com

Peace and Blessings,

Jenny

© 2010 Jennifer Hazard