On Memorial Day, the New York Times published an article by Dr. Lawrence Altman remembering the early AIDS epidemic of 30 years ago. His article poignantly reminds us of those desperate days when there was little scientific knowledge, and a great deal of misinformation, fear, and stigma. He memorializes those who died in the early years, for whom “the wait for effective treatments — a decade or so after the first reports of the disease — was far too long.” His report acknowledges how far we have come, yet does not deny the continued gaps in our knowledge and lack of progress made in developing an AIDS vaccine.
For me the timing of the publication of this article resonates strongly. The AIDS epidemic of the 80’s and early 90’s was a war that needs to be memorialized. A generation was lost to the disease and those that remain are scarred emotionally by the battle.
While it raises painful memories, Altman’s article offers us an opportunity to remind ourselves of what we have lived through, and to remember the friends that we have lost. I believe that the ability to reminisce is an integral part of healthy aging. This kind of life review allows us to learn from the past, not live in it, to draw on past experiences for life lessons and guidance to help us cope with challenges in the present. I am grateful to Dr. Altman for his work in the field of AIDS and for sharing his experience.
AHA Project 