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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-02-01, Page 3Close-up AIDS exists in Huron Woman with HIV shares her insights BY TIM CUMMING Expositor Editor AIDS is here in Huron County. Just ask Elma Plant, a Londesborough woman, who spoke at the Women's Resource Centre in Seaforth last Wednesday night. "This is the '90's, free love is gone," she told a small group of women. "It's important as a woman to be equipped with this knowl- edge." The mother of three children, and her husband Don, have both tested positive for the AIDS -causing HIV virus...and they aren't alone. In Huron County there are twenty-one cases of HIV reported but the actual number of cases -is probably about 60, according to Plant. "You can't work under the assumption it's not here." Plant spoke with candour and, remarkably, the occasional use of humour in dealing with the deadly serious topic of AIDS. (She noted that a large number of people at an anonymous AIDS testing clinic had listed their names as Julia Roberts and John Lennon.) Anyone who has sex, even once, is a candidate for AIDS if their partner has not been monogamous. If you think of it as a 'gay' disease which only affects men, think again. Women arc one of the most vulnerable groups. "It's ten times easier for a woman than a man to get HIV through unprotected sex," said Plant, citing official statistics. Plant herself is a powerful testa- ment that AIDS can affect anyone. She looks like the 'girl next door' and is only in her twenties. "You can't tell by looking at me I'm HIV-positive," she said. Although she appears healthy, Plant faces fatigue and numerous re -appearing conditions such as meningitis and shingles. The local woman learned that she had HIV right before Christmas a few years ago during her third pregnancy. None of the couple's children have tested positive for HIV. "Wet e belt `rincredibly>' fortq- gate," she said. When the local woman was diag- nosed with HIV people's reactions . were sometimes very negative. ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTO PROPER CONDOM STORAGE - Condoms should be stored In a dark, cool place such as a refrigerator. When wom on the person they should be in a jacket pocket, and not in a wallet or pocket. There is no guarantee condoms will prevent the acquiring of AIDS but they reduce the risk, said a speaker at the Women's Resource Centre last Wednesday night. "The only thing that can stop this disease is education..." One nurse at an urban hospital told Plant that, "women like you do not deserve to have children." Once, when Plant was to speak to a group of fourth-year medical students, she sat with the students before being called up to speak. The medical students made such judgemental comments as: "These people have no rights." To stop the spread of AIDS par- ents must be willing to talk to their children. The level of ignorance about HIV and AIDS is frightening, said Plant. "The only thing that can stop this disease is education," she said. "I don't want this to happen to anyone else." ' Condoms don't guarantee protec- tion from AIDS, the speaker told the group., , , .• , r, "1 wish timid' tell you a ctmdom is a 100 per cent guarantee," she" said. "I can't say that...condoms can be faulty and the way people use them can be faulty." The speaker compared condoms to a seat belt. "A seat belt isn't going to necess- arily save your life in a car accident but it reduces the risk." One sexual act puts someone at risk. Abstinence is the only sure way to avoid AIDS except for a completely monogamous relation- ship. Plant urges parents to talk to teenagers and give them the facts. "We really underestimate teen- agers today," she said. "They're just as afraid of this virus as the rest of us. IF Alcohol may affect responsible choices about sexual activity and protection from sexually -transmitted diseases. Two drinks in one evening can cut in half the chances someone will decide to practise safer sex, the group was told at Wednesday's lecture. In the schools it is important that there is peer support for the deci- sion to have sex later in life, said Plant. She says many young people would prefer to wait until they are of $r.Qb(',effc e, �tavinf ,sCr r[�It,helpst�i(f� oniTH ill-i:/199i, 'AI7 CT .I 9L, thA on y person saying, 'm going to wait. People who may be considering sexual activity with someone who Recycling boom benefits Bluewater Scavengers are scouring streets in the Niagara region swiping cardboard from curbside blue poxes. Dave Wilson, the manager of Bluewater Recycling Association says that strange problem hasn't surfaced around here yet but increasing demand for cardboard is good news for the association, consumers, local municipalities and environmentalists. Ile says cardboard is now a "paying proposition" and "recycled fibres have taken off in the last six months." Fibre sales take off Reflecting this increased demand, Bluewater has announced it is now paying $65 a short ton (2000 lbs.) for corrugated cardboard. Before Bluewater moved to its itew facilities at Huron Park last April it did not have the space to separate boxboard and cardboard, so sold it basically "on a break-even basis", Wilson says. After the move the local association was buying cardboard from $40 to $60 for market until the recent surge in demand. Wilson says only two mills were buying recycled cardboard, to convert into new packaging materials, from local associations such as Bluewater last spring but now there are six or seven such mills. The. economy is picking up, the Bluewater manager says, and in the last year markets have also improved for such rccyclables as glass, steel and aluminum cans. Enriched 24 oz./675 g sliced white or 60% whole wheat BREADOY. "fresh daily - superior flavour locally made" Pick up some today! dratyN Bakery as Cheese House TRADITIONAL QUALITY SINCE 1929 14 MAIN STREET, SEAFORTH 527.1 Available at has had previous relationships should find out how to properly use a condom. The group of women attending last Wednesday night's lecture were told that a condom package must be opened carefully before use. When being stored condoms should not be exposed to light and heat and should, ideally, be kept in the refrigerator. Women should be aware that many people are allergic to the lubricant on the condom and any allergic reaction makes someone more susceptible to the AIDS virus. "It's something a lot of people are not aware of," said Plant. "It's really important you know if you're allergic to this or not." Do not use flavoured condoms and avoid coloured condoms. The frightening unreliability of condoms was evident through the speaker's lecture. She said manu- facturers are permitted to have a batch of condoms approved for sale even with a one in 250 breakage rate. Here is a partial list of ways someone can contract AIDS: •Unprotected sex (heterosexual or homosexual). •Ear piercing with unsterilized tools. •Sharing needles for steroids or drugs. •Swapping blood as 'blood brothers/blood sisters'. •Tattoos received with unsterilized tools. There have been some rare cases of passing on AIDS to a child through breast feeding. The birth control pill offers no protection from sexually -transmitted diseases. Testing is urged for anyone who has put themselves at risk. If some- one finds out early that they have HIV they can take prolong their life through therapy and healthy living. For those who would like to be tested for HIV but are afraid of being identified the Options Clinic in London provides an anonymous testing program. For information call (519) 673-4427. Those being tested 'are urged to receive counselling before test results are received. • ' •'-ln ..flarciwi 'County, • the -AIDS HelpLine 24-hour answering service is 482-1141. •Next week we will take a more in-depth look at AIDS in Huron. TME MUHUN tXPUSITOH, Fobrudry 1, 11195 3 MARKET Krundle PERCH FILLETS 4.29 +b Rump, Steaks and Sirloin Tip ROAST 3.79 +b Storemade, Snakiest SAUSAGE 3.29 Ib 527-1821 Schnieders Blue Ribbon BOLOGNA 3.59 lb Cut and Wrapped Includes Sirloin, T•Bone Steaks, Ground Beef LONG LOIN OF BEEF 3.19 +� PORK LOINS 2.55 Made trom Eye of Round MINUTE STEAKS Winter hours: Monday - CLOSED, Tuesday - Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-5 Sweetheart Sale Nightgo12v1i (your choice of crest) $15 00 Reg. "18." • NO TAX 2ND PERIOD SPORTS 527-1586 ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the policyholders of the Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Companywill be held in the Kirkton- Woodham Community Centre at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 20, 1995 to receive and dispose of the Financial and Auditor's Reports; to elect Directors and to transact any business that may rightly come before the meeting. Nominations will be received for the election of two Directors for a three year term. The Directors whose term of office expires are Joe Chaffe and Lloyd Morrison, both of whom are eligible for re-election.,.,L,loyd,.Mor.rison wi11 not stand for re-eleaion.'t".. Joe Chaffe President E.J. Caers Secretary -Manager .95 ;Additional '9.00 for hair cut. Long hair extra. Elsie would like to thank all her customers for their patience and understanding. In return All Styles II is offering a $25.95 perm special from January 30h till February 25th. Elsie will be taking appointments Thursdays 9 am till 8 pmand Fridays 9 am _ 2 pm (MING SOON N BED WATCH FOR DETAILS "Ask about our new Customer Bonus" MAIN ST., SEAFORTH 527-0780 •