Re: AIDS Volunteer

I hope you will not stand in the way of your daughter doing volunteer
work with AIDS patients. The potential benefits for her and the patients
are very large. We need to remember that these patients are probably
going to die from the disease, and them seeing a brave young woman
willing to care for them may ease some of their suffering. Who knows,
your daughter may take up a carrer in medicine as a result of working
with the patients.

The risks are real, but not huge. With proper precautions, the risks can
be minimized. DEMAND that your daughter receive training. The hospital
should have a training program already in place. If not, encourage your
daughter to work with the hospital to set one up. Please make sure she
is trained before she starts the work. Also, I would like to pass along
our summer camp rifle instructor's motto:
"SAFETY FIRST -- ALWAYS"
If you have any lingering doubts, I would suggest that you visit the
hospital. Look around. Are gloves available in each room? Does the
nursing staff use them? Do they have separate recepticles for used
supplies? Does the nursing staff ALWAYS take precations with all
patients?
If the hospital doesn't run a "tight ship" in these areas, don't let
your daughter work there. Either find another, or suggest some other
alternatives for her volunteer work. You are right that it is a serious
issue, but the rewards can out weight the properly minimized risks.

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