The Citizen, 2003-11-05, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2003.
Elma Plant still breaking down barriers
Giving AIDS a voice
After more than a decade with HIV/AIDS Elma Plant of
Hullett continues her battle to increase public awareness
and educate people about the disease. Ignorance has
been one of the biggest roadblocks for victims as they not
only try to live with diminished health but with barriers
placed by harsh judgements and false notions. (Bonnie Gropp
photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
In the 1980s Elma Plant was living
a quiet life in the country, the wife of
a farmer.
That all changed in November of
1991 when she and her husband Don
were diagnosed with HIV. But while
some may have given up, the couple,
particularly Elma, has in the years
since become a determined educator
and advocate.
The Plants story began when Elma,
pregnant with their third child, opted
to become part of a provincial study
for implementing a pre-natal HIV
test, which has since become
standard.
“I was fortunate to have gotten in
on this study,” says Plant.
The results, however, were
shocking. After the test came back
positive, her husband too was tested
with the same results. Fortunately,
their two sons, and subsequently
their daughter, have tested nega
tive.
"At the time there was no
education, information or support,”
says Elma. Then in 1992 the AIDS
committee in London was started.
"We were among the first
heterosexuals to be part of it. They
were more than willing to help, but it
was not a good fit. My advocacy
came therefore more out of need.”
With interested community
members, the Huron County Health
Unit formed the HIV/AIDS Network
(HCHAN) in August of 1992. Since
then the health unit has had to pull
out because of funding, but HCHAN
has continued its mission to “create a
compassionate community which
respects and celebrates human
dignity and diversity and which
offers education, advocacy and
confidential support services to
persons living with and/or affected
by HIV and AIDS.”
One of its most vocal advocates is
Elma Plant. “I spoke publically about
the disease when our daughter was
six weeks old. 1 spoke out mainly to
confront the silence, the stigma.
There is such a taboo about
HIV/AIDS and I didn’t want our
children to live with that shame. I
wanted to put a face to it.”
Going public is a decision that’s
quite difficult for some. “Judgement
is one of the biggest barriers. People
are quick to judge and slow to listen.
There is that idea that if you got the
disease from blood then we’ll take
care of you, but if it was from sex or
needles you deserve it. And it’s
worse if you’re gay.”
Ironically says Plant, the majority
of gays live with the disease openly.
“They're really not judged for HIV,
but for their lifestyle.”
For heterosexuals, the fear of
ostracism often means they live with
a secret. “It’s sometimes easier to
live in silence then deal with the
other junk.” Some will even refuse to
tell their spouses.
She tells of a pharmacist whowon’t
allow one HIV/AIDS person on their
premises, others who can’t get a
dentist or hairdresser. “Just because
of fear. That level of ignorance is still
out there.”
Elma feels that she and Don differ
in the AIDS community because of
their strong religious ties. “We have a
voice of faith and an amazing church.
We can risk going public because our
family and church are behind us. We
have a bedrock faith that won’t be
shaken. There are those who don’t.”
She credits that faith with
sustaining her life as well. At the
time of her diagnosis Elma was given
two years to live, Don three.
“When we were initially being
treated there was only one anti-HIV
medication, now there are over 40.”
Each works differently with different
classes so there’s a combination- the
HAART (Highly Active
Antireroviral Therapy) cocktail- for
every person.
In Don’s case the cocktail has
worked very well. However, with a
low tolerance to medications, Elma
has progressed to full-blown AIDS
and now has just two per cent of her
immune system left It is not that a
person dies oT AIDS, but from other
things that their depleted immune
system cannot fend off.
“I am at the point where I'm
extremely vulnerable to anything.
Medically they can’t understand why
I haven't gotten really ill. I attribute
it to faith and prayer.”
In other words Elma is in greater
danger from the rest of the world,
than anyone is from her. HIV cannot
be passed on through casual
everyday contact, shaking hands,
hugging, coughing, sneezing, giving
blood, sharing bed linens, eating
utensils or food.
The disease is only transmitted
through sex, blood, mother/child or
shared needle.
And yet, it continues to threaten
society in increasing numbers.
Globally victims are split 50/50
between male and female. Of those,
80 per cent are heterosexual, 20 per
cent homosexual.
Only in developed nations such as
Canada are there more homsexuals
with the disease. However, says Plant
that is changing. “New infection
rates are showing the highest
numbers in heterosexual women
under 25, followed by injected drug
users, then young gay men.”
The numbers are also higher in
rural areas. “It’s lack of education.
People still think of it as a city
disease, but it’s equal opportunity.
That’s always been our message, but
people don’t want to hear it.”
Even after all this time. Plant can
still be shocked by the ignorance. “In
a study of high school children 60 per
cent of the boys in Grades 9 and 10
believe there is a cure. Many didn’t
think it was sexually transmitted and
thought if you did get it you just take
a pill to fix it.”
Plant works diligently to try and
correct these fallacies. “Kids are
getting some of the education. There
are mixed messages however in
terms of sexuality and healthy
sexuality.”
One example of this is serial
monogamy. Plant says she has had
students tell her they’re not worried
about HIV/AIDS because they are in
a monogamous relationship. “Just
like the one before and the one before
that.”
Plant had one other shocking
revelation. “1 have had children as
young as Grade 4 admit to having
oral sex.”
In the schools Plant also warns
about other dangers, such as sharing
needles. “Whether you’re piercing
your ears or getting a tattoo, make
sure the needles have never been
used.”
Plant also feels that the system is
falling short in educating kids about
choices. “They say use a condom but
kids are never given the tools to
commit to abstinence. I think (adults)
really underestimate teens’ abilities
to make good decisions. Give them
all the information and you might be
surprised by the decision they would
make.”
Her choice is abstinence. “1 don’t
think teens are ready to deal with sex
until they are older.”
With so much to teach young
people about such a serious topic, it
is interesting that there are those who
refuse to invite Plant to speak.
“There are high schools that don't
want us because they believe AIDS is
not an issue in Huron.”
While she won't divulge the exact
number. Plant did say that there are
currently more than 50 in Huron
afflicted with the disease. And what
they face is something few of us
would recognize.
Plant recently led a workshop for
palliative care attended by health
workers. “A few were open about
their reason for coming, it was to get
a continuing education credit.” By
the end. however, interest had caught
on. “One woman stood up and said
she hadn’t realized vhat it was like.
(That) was really encouraging.”
What was surprising to hear is that
it is often difficult for HIV/AIDS
patients to find a doctor who can take
on the significant workload.
“Doctors are already overloaded.
They are often incapable of taking on
the high needs of HIV/AIDS
patients. It’s not their fault. It’s just
good sense for them to say no.”
Most clients lose their ability to
work. “It can be a struggle to meet
the financial demands of gas for trips
to London to the clinic or for
medications.”
Medical insurance covers on
average 80 per cent of the drug costs.
“However, when your medications
are $l,200-$3.000 a month that’s still
For Your Voice
VOTE DALE NEWMAN
For Councillor
Grey Ward
Huron East
a-lot of money.”
In Plant’s case the cost of
medications runs well over $5,000
per month, which doesn’t include the
meds for side effects.
There is considerably less financial
assistance for sufferers too since the
provincial Tory's budget cuts. “Our
children pick up the slack around
here,” says Elma. When she’s laid
up, the middle one cooks, the oldest
cleans up and the youngest one does
the housework. “They are amazing,
truly amazing.”
Cutbacks also affected HCHAN, a
volunteer-run organization. One big
fundraiser coming up is on Saturday,
Nov. 29. just prior to World AIDS
Day, which is Dec. 1. The
organization is looking for used
books for their sale which will be
held at Suncoast Mall in Goderich
beginning at 10 a.m. Anyone who
would like books picked up can call
482-1141.
Those who work with the network
volunteer “for their own reasons,”
says Plant. “It’s never disclosed. But
most of them have been there from
day one.”
And from day one they have
struggled to increase awareness and
break down the barriers.
“The worst thing you can do is ask
someone how they were infected. It’s
none of your business.”
While Plant says she has seen the
best in society, the people who come
to her home with food when she’s ill,
she has also seen the worst. “I
actually had one woman at my door
one day, who said she just wanted to
see what someone with AIDS looked
like.”
“The bottom line is for people to
acknowledge the presence of AIDS
in Huron, not out of fear, but
compassion. Don’t be afraid of us.
but aware and supportive.”
Polls #1 & 2
Grey Municipal Building
Poll #3
BMG
Community Centre
Poll #4
Cranbrook Community Centre