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Home My WebLink AboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-06-02, Page 5Couple continues to raise AIDS awareness by Heather Jloa A Londesboro heterosexual couple who have tested HIV positive are continuing their crusade to raise public awareness about the fatal virus. Don and Elma Plant recently spoke to a small group of people at the Dungannon United Church. "We're trying to educate people so that more will say 'How can we help', rather than 'How did it hap- pen,' said Elma, addressing a group at the Dungannon United Church last week. Elma, 26, and Don, 30, have done numerous public talks and are ac- tively involved in a Huron County support group. In Huron County, 21 people who have tested HIV positive since the mid -80s are registered with the health unit. However, AIDS program co-ordinator Diane Aiken says many people go outside of the county for anonymous testing and there are some people who are HIV positive but have not been tested, so the numbers are distorted. "The numbers are kind of the tip of the iceberg. We can't even begin to guess at the true numbers," said Aiken. Don and Elma are unsure when they were infected. It takes eight to 10 years before the effects of the virus become noticeable enough to be diagnosed. Theirthree children do not have the virus. Chronic fatigue is one of the worst symptoms of the disease, says Elma. It has forced the couple to give up many menial tasks, such as cooking and housework. Friends prepare meals for the family and home care workers visit regularly to clean their home. The couple receive a disability pension and Don has retired from farming. A healthy person has a total of 8- 1,200 CD4 cells, or virus -fighting cells, per millilitre of blood. When a person hits a count of 500 or less, medication is started. A count of 200, or less means a person is entering into the early stages of AIDS. Don has a count of about 500 and js receiving AZT, a, drug to counteract the effects of the virus. Elma is hovering at the 200 mark. Her body has rejected the traditional drugs, and an experimen- tal drug also failed. "It's good, in a way, but it's also bad," said Elma, noting that the drugs were causing serious headaches, among other side ef- fects. Despite the effects of the virus, Don and Elma continue to speak publicly about HIV positive and AIDS. ' Many school doors are closed to the couple, who do not support the use of condoms. This past March, Elma told GDCI students, "Don't look at condoms as the life in- surance policy everybody says it is. It does do a bit of good, but it will not save your life." It was the last school talk they've done, but the Christian couple is willing to speak to church groups or any other organization interested in learning what they can do to help. Don and Elma Plant spoke about AIDS to a small group at the Dungannon United Church recently. The meeting was spon- sored by ponsored'by the Willing Workers. (Heather Boa photo) Mr. and Mrs. Jack Barr, Win- nifred Percy, Myrtle Percy and Cora Bair of Pinecrest Manor, Lucknow, Sharon Brooks of Lis- towel, Mr.. and Mrs: Morley Bushell of 'Winghan:i were dinner. guests with Margaret Bushell of Goderich, to celebrate Cora Ban's 91st birthday. Her Kinlough friends extend best wishes to Cora at this time. Visiting with Mr. and, Mrs. Jack Barr were Betty Hamilton from St. Catharines, Ethel Boothman and her daughter-in-law . from Edmonton. Janie Hamilton of Lucknow was unable to be with them as she has. been a patient in the Kincardine and District Hospital. INLOUGH by May Boyle Visitors with Edna and May Boyle were Bessie Maulden and her sister Jean Phillips from Fonthill Visitors with Nina McDonald were her sister Esther Bloomfield of Paisley, Jean Phillips of Fonthill, Bessie Maulden of here, Mr. and ' Mrs. Ralph Thompson and 'family McDonald Mr. and Mrs. Gordon McDonald of Hamilton. Nina McDonald visited with her aunt Bertha Struthers and with Jean McIntyre at Teeswater. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Brace and family of. London visited with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Rhody. Mr. and Mrs. Eric Thacker and family spent Sunday in Toronto. Lucas is one of 24 young people who were chosen as pages and will be at the Legislature for the month of June. We wish you well and we hope you enjoy your time there. We welcome Pastor and Mrs. Donnan and Melinda to the Pen- tecostal parsonage where they will reside, as the Pastor in charge of the Kinlough Pentecostal Congregation. Fred Page returned from Win- gham Hospital. We send get well wishes. i _ /l inh Swimrning Pool Registration Monday, June 7, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, 6:30'p.m. 9:30 p.m. LUCKNOW. ARENA There will be two summer swirnrning sessions starting Jt°tne 28, and July 26, PLEASE NOTE:' The .size of Yellow and Orange 'swimming classes is limited, come early and get the time of your choice. ON REGISTRATION DAY PLEASE KNOW: • Swimming level attained. • Time period desired. • in which swimming session you want to be enrolled. (July or August or Both) 'Please bring Health Card Numbers with you. NOTE Registration for Preschool program; Aquaflt, Swim Team, Bronze, Bronze Cross Si Junior Restisilation will be held at a later date. Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, June 2, 1993 - Page 5 LUCKNOW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Sunday, June 6, 193 Worship Service - 11:00 AM Church School - 11:00 AM Rev, MQ'rgaret Kinsman Nursety Provided Everyone Welcome BERBER BERBER; BERBER I We've got a HUGE SELECTION to choose from, all combinations of colours, plain patterned, etc. Starting at 95 sq. yd. Come visit our showroom in Dungannon. • In E Personal Consultation & Design Ross' Country Carpets & Kitchens .Dungannon 529-7551�� Give,all the hope you can.. Tuf KII .ti F, •.1 \rl ,1 1 \. i ir,TINr,S ✓VANTE PALA 1'1NN '26-24^ NAFF+f N INN 528 3,'l( 200 ACRES - Ashfield 180 workable 3 bedroom home beef & hog barns. shed 5180 000 50 ACRES - All bush. Teeswaler River 2 ponds, newer bungalow million dollar view $169.000 82 1/2 x 132 LOT, near public school Asking $35 000 50 ACRES - Kinloss 20 x 50 secluded cottage, stocked pond ,stream, all bush $105.000 OLDER 3 BEDROOM bungalow family room addition. oil heat. 82 12 x 132' Int $68.000 2.5 ACRES - 4 bedroom Krick country 50015, garage 18 x 30 shed nice setting 565.000 LAKEFRONT - Cottage one bedroom, near Godench 572 900 3.3 ACRES - 5 bedroom country home requires upgrading Great setting 589900 99 ACRES - Turnberry Twp 4 bedroom brick home 55 x 45 barn 85 workable.,. STONE SCHOOL - 3 bedroom maple floors, new roof and windows, full attic, 3/4 acre lot 559'000 ASHFIELD - 1 8 acres. superb 1533 sq tt bungalow basement. family room. 24 x 48' shop 599,900 - Neapprox 2400 sq ft , 4 bedroome 100 ACRES - Kinloss 15 yr old. 3 bed room bungalow. beef barn. shed. 92 work able .$138,000 572,900 - Duplex. 4 and 2 bedroom. land scaped Original porch JUST LISTED - 2 storey, 4 bedroom horrle on quality hill. new•kitchen. nice wood work $89,000, ' Y�' �. �.n .il To the Lucknow & District Fire Department personnel, and to the Ripley & Teeswater Fire Departments, who were called in under mutual aid, my sincere thanks for your dedi- cation and long hours of hard work in fight- ing the fire at the Lucknow. Feed Mill. The many offers of assistance from area residents, and businesses is most gratefully acknowledged. A•MARK STEVER Lucknow Feed Mill Gra�cd' Opening Friday & Saturday June & 5 join us,r 5:00pm to celebrate the Grand Opening 6,14 unique etesigner showroom: featuring the latest European -style , ads far kite • r mil:low Cedar Lane -0 E S 1 G N