Coping With Fear of AIDS

Although I don’t know the anonymous writer, I am deeply moved by his willingness to share his feelings so completely with us. His experience with AIDS is devastating. My heart goes out to him and his family.

A few months ago a dear friend of mine, who was truly one of the most loving and honest people I have known, died as a result of this disease. My life has truly changed by having known him and by having had the privilege of spending time with him during the last months of his illness. I know that there is no way I could have abandoned him because of his illness anymore than I would abandon one of my own children. He was my friend.

I encourage the anonymous writer to continue to reach out to others as he reached out to us. We care about what he is going through. He is not alone, although it may seem like it when so many of us are bound by our own fears and ignorance.

There are those who are willing to walk through this with him and his family. I may not be able to do much to eliminate the fears of others, but my experience with my late friend has done much to dissolve my own.

CORINNE MICHAELS

Santa Monica