AIDS AFFECTS THE BOOTHEEL; REGIONAL GROUP GETS NEW NAMEE, A NEW MISSION

At 36, Stephen Skalsky knows at least six people who have died of AIDS.

"It's unusual, except in times of war, for anyone my age to know six persons their own age who have died of a single cause," he said.

Skalsky is public relations director for the Southeast Missouri Effort for AIDS, an organization launching a local battle on the disease.

"There is a tendency in rural Missouri to think there is no HIV and no AIDS," he said. "That's not the case."

In fact, the Missouri Department of Health, Bureau of AIDS Prevention, reports over 3,000 AIDS cases in the state since 1982. Seventeen of those cases have been reported in Cape Girardeau County, nine in Scott County and two in Perry County.

In addition, 20 people from Cape Girardeau are infected with the HIV virus; 20 in Scott County, one each in Perry and Bollinger counties; three in Mississippi County; and two in Stoddard County.

"My basic interest is to see that the people affected by this disease receive the support they need," Skalsky said. Part of that support includes educating others about AIDS and HIV infection.

The Southeast Missouri Effort for AIDS, formerly called the Southeast Missouri Regional Consortium on AIDS, is sponsoring a World AIDS Day Unity Celebration Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Old St. Vincent Church.

The celebration will remember those whose lives have ended due to AIDS and those who are living with HIV. "We will celebrate commonalities, not differences," he said.

The World Health Organization chose "AIDS: A Community Commitment" as this year's theme for World AIDS Day on Tuesday. In conjunction with that, Dec. 1-7 is Missouri AIDS Awareness Week.

The Southeast Missouri organization also plans a red ribbon distribution throughout Southeast Missouri as a visible sign of compassion for HIV-affected persons.

The organization has three main functions: direct services to persons with HIV infection or AIDS, referral services, and education.

"We help with insurance, prescriptions, rent, utilities. When persons become very ill there is such a wide range of things they might need," Skalsky said.

"We are looking for referrals for direct services. We do have some funds and information to hook people up with appropriate social services."

The organization plans to start a buddy program. "We would match HIV or AIDS individuals with two or three buddies. The buddies would have special training to deal with terminal patients," Skalsky said.

"We are now talking about the training and selection process. We want to make sure our buddies are prepared. We are also looking at tapping into local hospice programs already in place."

The group is also in the process of putting together a resource directory for persons affected by AIDS. "Some are intimidated about coming to a support group or even asking for information," he said.

And, Skalsky said, education is a primary mission.

"We have persons available to make presentations on AIDS and AIDS prevention. We also have printed materials available for individuals or groups," he said.

Education is a key, he said.

"When you see dramatized stories of persons with AIDS, it's pretty sterile. You see them looking pretty healthy, then they're sick, and in the next scene they are dead. You don't see what happens day to day.

"There is a lot of depression. One friend isolated himself completely because he was so distraught over his family's reaction. He basically died alone. That doesn't need to happen."

But misconceptions still abound, Skalsky said. "People have enough trouble talking about sex. This is a sexually-transmitted disease that can kill you.

"Too many people are refraining from being tested. Anyone who believes they may be at risk should be tested. The earlier treatment starts, the longer lives can be extended."

He added that the risk groups continue to expand.

"Statistics show heterosexuals, women and adolescents to be among the highest growing populations for AIDS. And so many people still believe it is a gay disease."

For more information about the Southeast Missouri Effort for AIDS, call 651-2280. The Missouri Department of Health, Bureau of AIDS Prevention also has a toll-free information line: 1-800-533-AIDS.