To Live and Die
One of the most moving experiences in my 18 years as a priest came last month, as I spent a good bit of one day with a man near death at County-USC Medical Center’s 5P21 AIDS clinic. He was a man who affirmed his life even as it slipped away from him. He was interested in getting to know me and was concerned about my needs despite his own suffering. He died 10 days later.
Despite the bad press that L.A. County deservedly receives for its failure to respond adequately to the AIDS crisis, the people who staff 5P21 are doing an outstanding job in the face of what could be perceived as overwhelming odds. I was very impressed with the very personal, compassionate and honest treatment that patients at the clinic were receiving.
REV. JEROME STACK
Norwalk
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