PROJECT CHANGES DIRECTORS

Ted Fedler is stepping down as president of the AIDS Project of Southeast Missouri, making way for a very different successor: Laura Walz.

Fedler has AIDS; Walz doesn't.

Fedler is openly gay; Walz is newly married and has a young son.

But the two share a passion -- publicizing AIDS and those it affects.

Fedler and Travis Clayton formed APSEMO in June 1993. In September 1993, the two-member organization merged with the much larger Southeast Missouri Effort for AIDS.

Despite its membership, Effort for AIDS wasn't very visible in Cape Girardeau. With Fedler at the helm full time, things were different.

"I have a vested interest in this -- I'm dying with the disease," Fedler said. "There are many other people in this area dying of AIDS. They were having to hide because of fear, prejudice, and lack of knowledge that goes along with the word AIDS in this area."

Fedler, who became a common sight on television and in newspapers during his year as APSEMO president, didn't hide. He suffered ridicule and harassment when he first went public about his condition. Today, Fedler solicits only nervous whispers and glances when he travels around town.

He accomplished much last year. For the first time, an AIDS service organization is listed in the local phone directory. Both hospitals show programs about the disease on their closed-circuit television. Area businesses regularly help APSEMO with fund-raisers.

Although Fedler originally pushed for extended terms for project officers, he said he is ready to step down after just over a year of his presidency. Because of 60-to-80-hour weeks of unpaid service, Fedler lost two years from his life, his doctors said.

Chronic fatigue, diarrhea and cold sores have taken their toll on Fedler recently. His immune system is gone.

"It is fine to be an example of how one person can make a difference, but if I continue at this pace I will be dead in the next three months," he said. "Now I need to take care of Ted. I need to enjoy my relationships with the people I care about and with God."

Fedler leaves several challenges for his successor. APSEMO is working on obtaining a not-for-profit status. The organization, which serves 22 counties in Southeast Missouri, needs an office and paid personnel to staff it.

Walz said she is ready to take over the organization as long as the former president will help educate her.

A Cape Girardeau native, she became involved with APSEMO in July, immediately became fund-raising co-chairwoman, and was elected president in October. Walz never knew anyone with AIDS before she met Fedler.

"AIDS got my attention because of the way the public treated those who had it," she said. "I couldn't stand the way people were automatically categorized, packed up, shipped off and forgotten because they contracted the AIDS virus."

After Walz had her son, she had added motivation to join APSEMO. She said she wanted him to grow up in a more compassionate world.

She said her biggest challenge will be learning about services for people with AIDS and how to obtain them. Public speaking comes easily for Walz, but education about the disease itself and regulations regarding it will be more difficult. That's where Fedler will come in.

"I've told Ted that what I lack in hands-on experience, I make up for in heart," Walz said.