November1989 ■ PAGESQ-Notes
AIDS Survivor
Speaks Here
By Gene Skidmore
Special to Q-Notes
On October 8, MCC Charlotte was hon
ored to have the Rev. Steve Pieters as its
guest speaker. Rev. Pieters is a long term
survivor of AIDS, and in 1982, was one of the
first people to be diagnosed with the disease.
Not only is he still alive today, but he is in
perfect health.
Originally an MCC minister in the Los
Angeles area, he now spends the majority of
his time traveling around the country sharing
his incredible story with those who will lis
ten.
When Rev. Pieters was first diagnosed
with AIDS, not much was known about the
disease, and people were often fearful even
to be near him. He immediately began taking
treatments from experimental drugs which
were potentially dangerous. During the course
of the next four years, Steve became ill with
everything from cancer of the lymph nodes
to Kaposi's sarcoma. He was even blind for a
month due to a severe inflammation of the
eyes.
His doctors lost him in an emergency
room at one point, then revived him.
Steve then became resigned to the fact
that dying was inevitable, and he began to
anticipate it. But as time passed, his health
began to improve. By 1986, the cancers had
totally disappeared, along with every other
ailment he had ever suffered, and he hasn't
been sick since then!
Rev. Pieters is living proof that not every
one who is diagnosed with AIDS will be dead
in two to three years, like many people think.
According to Rev. Pieters, there are sev
eral things that a person who is HIV positive
can do to improve his chances of long term
survival. During his conversion from sick
ness to health, Steve educated himself on
good nutrition and the proper use of vita
mins. He also gets a sufficient amount of rest.
Steve recalls that a doctor once told him
fhat any form of exercise wouldiring about
h breakdown of his neuromuscular system.
Determined that he wanted to be healthy and
active, he got involved in an exercise pro
gram and is still active in it today.
Steve also believes that laughter is an
important form of therapy for the soul. He
remembers that on the night of his diagnosis
he got together with friends and watched the
"Vitameatavegamin" episode of "I Love
Lucy."
But first and foremost, Steve gives credit
to God for his recovery. His statement to the
world is that God is still in the healing busi
ness; it's not just something He did two
thousand years ago and stopped. Steve Pi
eters is living proof of this. God wants us to
be fully alive, and instmments of His love. It
has been estimated that 15% of all AIDS
patients will be long term survivors. Who is
to say who will or will not be among them?
However, Steve is still HIV positive and
people often tell him, "You could become ill
again tomorrow. Aren't you creating false
hopes?" Steve's reply to this is: "What is
better - false hope or false despair? None of
us are promised a tomorrow. Today I am
well. Live Today."
Rev. Pieters said, finally, that death is
something that, at one time or another, we
will all have to face. But we should face death
with faith and certainty that nothing, not even
AIDS, can or will separate us from the love
of Christ.
To
Advertise
in
Q-Notes
call
338-1138
a/
cmv - 2:00/im.
S^cmc/uHcAe&
HIDE-A-WAY
405 Baskins Rd. Rock HiU, SC (803) 328-6630
FrL, 11 • 24 - Kasey King holds her showcase!
5at, 11 • 25 - Alicia Anderson, Tina Terrell, Anjelica Bauer, Anita Clit Will Bring Down the House!
FrL, 12 • 1 - Grand Prix holds her showcase!
SaL, 12 • 2 - Veronica Lee, Brittany Gwenn, Shelia Durant, Christina Allen Will Entertain You!
FrL, 12 • 8 - Kasey King holds her showcase!
Sai, 12 • 9 - Anjelica Bauer, Tiffany Storm, Gypsy Starr, Aretha Scott Will Rock Your World!
Fri, 12 • 15 - Grand Prix holds her showcase!
Sat, 12 • 16 - Come celebrate a comedy Christmas with Alicia Anderson, Grand Prix, Tiffany Storm and Brittany Gwen.
The Owners of the
Hide-A-Way
Present
The Grand Opening
of a New Bar in
Gastonia, NC
November 10, 1989
SPORT'S NEST
• ••••••••••••••••••••••• •*-
y//////////////////////////////////////^
Free Membership - First 50 people
Free Draft Beer - While it lasts
Free Hors d’Oeuvres
Featuring
20 foot video screen, dance floor
Full menu - restaurant, pool tables
Drink specials, video games
Live DJ
Open 4 pm - 2 am ??????
Card holders of other Gay Bars will not have to buy membership cards on Grand Opening Night.