On the left is Merilou Johnson, MSW, MPA who I barely know. Her official title is Program Director Colorado AIDS Education Training Center. I just met her Wednesday, so like a good little girl I thought I better figure this out quick! I knew by the very virtue of her being here she was important, and right I was. Those letter behind her name mean she is very educated in public service both on the social level and public administration. See when you see an M like that it means Master and that is top of the line. Since I only met her briefly, I do not know her well, but I would dearly love to set and visit with her after researching her with my able Google toolbar. This woman can tell us some tales I am sure and is a vital part of this continuing fight against this disease that I seem to have landed in the middle of for some reason. To Merilou I say, "I would love to visit with you , but I was stuck at the tables. Please forgive me for not being there."
The next lovely little creature in this little threesome is Annalee Beck, EIS Program Director at Pueblo Community Health Center. EIS means Early Intervention Services. Many years ago and I mean like maybe eight (?) this service was set up specifically for the HIV/AIDS community. As I recall I was there for the first few initial meetings but that was just to whine about not having something for the clients. This town will do anything to shut me up when I start that. I am so happy that bigger and brighter minds then mine prevailed and a program with Annalee at the helm and PCHC at her back and Dr. Johnson and Dr. Swartz beside her has brought first class health care to my friends. There is also a most able staff there and I would be remiss to start naming names without a full list in front of me. I only know JoAnne and Diane personally. I will get that full slate and thank them properly in this tiny blog. Hats off to PCHC and all the little people!
And now we come to the love of my life, Dr. Steve Johnson, MD. Isn't he the most handsome thing you ever laid eyes on in your whole life? That little MD on the end of is name is so inadequate to describe this larger than life icon in the field of HIV/AIDS. His official title is Professor & Director of Infectious Disease, University of Colorado. This man is world reknowned for his work in this field and he was most instrumental in setting up and staffing our EIS Program. I know he comes down from Denver on a regular basis to meet with clients and he and Dr. Swartz confer on every aspect of client care. While I could go on all day about this man's accomplishments I know I would miss some and I do not want to do that! What I want to do is tell you that this is one of the kindest, most caring men that God ever put on this earth and I thank him every day for sending Dr. Steve Johnson into my life, Mark's life and everyone in Pueblo, Colorado that is touched by this man's hand. If there is ever a cure for this scourge on human life this man will be the first to know and it will be delivered to his people that same day. Kinda like Moses bringing down the tablets! I love you, man!
There you have it. I know Pueblo is a backward little town, and we operate under the auspices of Colorado Springs offices and we get our funding through them. Colorado Springs is big and we are little, but let me tell you this......We have had or EIS program eight years; Colorado Springs got theirs one and a half years ago. Maybe they just didn't need one as bad as we did.
These three angels are standing in front of the Pueblo AIDS Memorial Quilt. I don't know if Colorado Springs has anything like this, but if Bill or Richard would get in touch with me I would be most happy to help them start one. We have had ours since 1996 and it is a wonderful way for people to connect and express feelings.
Alrighty then! Better get out of here before I fill up cyber space! See you tomorrow for another little lesson in World AIDS Day 2010!
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