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My Vacation
Experience
Time and again one reaches for an oasis to escape
from the daily trials and turmoil of life. At Marrowstone, I was able to do
just that. Tucked away at the beach-front in Nordland, Washington, there is
nothing but nature and friendship to captivate you and leave you breathless
with Gods' amazing scenes of nature.
Thank you, Allison and Steve, for a restful sleep
in Cabin 7. Thank you, Sisters, for being wonderful companions during my stay.
And thank you, BABES, for extending the invitation.
God bless all of you
Evangelist, Vanessa S.
Book Review
"A Burden of Silence"
My Mother's Battle with AIDS is an exercise in
courage; it is also a cold-blooded rant against ignorance and prejudice.
This book reveals the heartwarming story of an
affectionate bond between a daughter and her elderly mother who was transfused
with HIV contaminated blood in 1983 while undergoing heart bypass surgery. Five
years after her surgery, she was diagnosed with HIV at the age of sixty-six.
She kept her illness a secret because she feared people would reject her. She
felt like a leper and suffered from loneliness, anger and despair.
Nancy has given her mother a voice in the poignant
and riveting story. It will evoke emotions of faith, inspiration, anger and
love. By taking a pro-active approach, Nancy helped her mother cope with HIV by
teaching her holistic and relaxation techniques that seemed to provide some
sense of solace.
Keeping the secret of her mother's illness, as her
father had wished, had been a great psychological burden for those few family
members who knew of her HIV infection. In this story, Nancy Draper finally
tells the whole story. "AIDS doesn't discriminate and we should not
discriminate against people who have it."
Irene died in 1991 at the age of 69 with the love
of hospice nurses, Nancy, and her father. Nancy keeps her mother's memory alive
through the panel she made for the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. A
powerful message is sent to all who read the words on the panel; "It hurts to
know you suffered in silence."
Three months before her death, Irene said, "Nancy,
I want you to write about me having IDS, because I don't want anyone else to
suffer in silence like we have." The story reveals the loneliness, shame and
stigma she felt.
On December 1st, 2004, the theme for World AIDS
Day will be Women and AIDS. Fifty perfect of all new infections are occurring
in women. This must stop.
"This is a devoted daughter's story of her elderly
mother's painful and lonely journey through AIDS. Because her mother was not
part of a so-called AIDS risk group, she felt ignored, rejected, stigmatized,
and ashamed. For years, she suffered in excruciating silence. Nancy has given
her mother's story a voice. There are lessons for everyone in this book --
lessonsd about acceptance, compassion, and forgiveness."
Ann Webster, Ph.D., Director, HIV/AIDS Program,
Mind/Body Institute, Boston, MA
The book can be purchased on
www.nancydraper.com
We at BABES Network have not read this book. BABES
Members interested in reading this book may soon borrow a copy from BABES
Network, courtesy of the author Nancy Draper. Call and get on the list to
borrow one. When you have read it, send or email your feedback for future BABES
Talking issues. |
Return to Newsletter 2004
Index