Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!samsung!usc!ucla-cs!Marc.Lawrence@f98.n143.z1.fidonet.org From: Marc.Lawrence@f98.n143.z1.fidonet.org (Marc Lawrence) Newsgroups: sci.med.aids Subject: Buddy Programs Message-ID: <37517@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> Date: 31 Jul 90 14:45:16 GMT Sender: news@CS.UCLA.EDU Organization: FidoNet node 1:143/98 - Wild Thang, San Jose CA Lines: 42 Approved: phil@wubios.wustl.edu Note: Copyright 1990 by Daniel R. Greening. Permission granted for Note: non-commercial reproduction. Archive-number: 2319 I am doing research on the effects of Buddy Programs on persons with HIV/AIDS---if having a Buddy has any effect on the HIV progression, on the PWA's quality of life, general disposition, etc. I have found only one article that mentions a Buddy Program; does anyone know of any research that has been done on Buddies, or more generally, any type of social support and HIV/AIDS? Hello KELLY C. MYRICK-HAYNES KEANY..... Without coming from the position of any documented 'Buddy Program,' how about just the pure reality of being a FRIEND? Your remarks, above, remind me of part of a conversation in which I was involved last evening with a couple of friends who were over my house for cherry pie and vanilla ice cream. I asked them how an acquaintenance of their's was doing after his other half passed away due to AIDS about a month ago. They told me the fellow is doing well, he is trying to keep busy while still at the same time deal with the loss of the person whom he LOVED the most in this life; and now he's gone. My two friends told me they constantly phone the now-alone fellow, they pick him up and take him to dinner, they take him shopping, and they are just constantly in his life to help to ease the pain. This is no organized program, this is just the taking upon one's self to be there for another person. That's what I think we can also call being a 'BUDDY.' I know that probably does not answer your question, Kelly, but I want to point out the other side of the coin that being a Buddy does not necessarily mean being there for the person who is living with AIDS and improving his or her quality of life; it also means being there for the people who are left behind who have to go on living after their loved-one is gone. The latter deserves a buddy too for all they were to the person before they past on from this world. Thank you for asking the question. Marc -- Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!143!98!Marc.Lawrence Internet: Marc.Lawrence@f98.n143.z1.fidonet.org