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For a long time I felt I was aging at pretty much the standard rate--not accelerated by the virus that my body, with the help of each advance in medication, has fought for nearly 25 years. That perception is no longer clear to me. "Then they possess an intimate piece of your past, your personal life. Meanwhile, you are fairly certain to know less about them and their history." I have usually had no problem sharing intimate history so that others might learn from my trip through life bust your are right that it is hard to know more about them as they walk away.
As a long-term survivor (30 years) and now over 65. I am the last of the dinosaurs. LST groups found me the oldest and too old to just socialize with. After a 30-year partnership, I am a widow/widower with no contemporary friends in the area. Fortunately, I have the stamina to still work PT but living alone in our house with pets finds me reclusive and very lonely. Correct anti-depressants and Ritalin are what keeps me alive.
That was a interesting take how we are seem to another, being a 40 baby things has change in mylife which I can not see old photo of myself anymore. The look I get once I show my picture IS THAT YOU but I have to move on an just live great stories
Laura: Thank you so much for your commentary. You might find this article (citation below) interesting as it deals with ageism and HIV stigma. If you cannot find a copy, let me know. I appreciate your personal perspective on this. Charles Emlet Emlet, C. A. (2006). “You’re awfully old to have this disease”: Experiences of stigma and ageism in adults 50 years an older living with HIV/AIDS. The Gerontologist, 46, 781-790.
You said it quite clearly. We are one another's future. we either share it or else we face it alone. I am doing everything I can to share it and not have to face it alone. Thank you.
Very insightful observation. As a person of color these are feelings I have experienced prior to aging and my HIV status. Humans are very complex, yet simple beings.
With globalization and Chiamerican economics serving only a few in this world of GDP, just a quality of life for persons living on the poverty line in an increasing unbalanced principles of deregulation. We all value justice, trade, and human rights. The next 20 years might prove a continuation into complete insanity on a global scale.
Ronald Dennis
Fanned and Faved on your post A. Bracho. Add age along with being a gay senior person of color. Gay male years are like dog years with so much over emphasis on youth among young men. That makes me 462 dog years old. Seque right into senior years after surviving AIDS and cancer twice, and I'm still dancing while barking past my athlete injuries. Full Blown AIDS and cancer was so much worse than my aches and pains... for me. My mom and I laugh off and on about the senior medicines that we both take that are similar and that I've lived to have this chuckle with her about this similarity. Most people experience their bodies began to decline and most of us die from some sort of illness in most cases, not to appear grim. Waiting for my Benjamine Button in reverse moment.
March 2, 2011