Social Aids – the fight against Stigma
00: 10-00:26 OT Wiltrut Stefanek
English: 00:11-00:25 [don’t pause!]
"When I found out I was HIV positive I was shocked. On the other hand, I was very relieved that my son was HIV negative. At the time it seemed like a bad dream".
00:39 to 00:51 OT Wiltrut Stefanek
English: 00:40-00:50
"The doctor said, so… you’ve had quite a few partners? I said ... no, I just married the wrong man. "
01:02 to 01:34 OT Wiltrut Stefanek
English: 01:03-01:31
"When I heard it in black and white that I was HIV positive and I realised I’d been infected by my husband, I was so angry. How could he do this to me? He kept it hidden for 10 years, and knowingly exposed others to the virus. I can’t change anything now, but when I'm ill, I'm still angry, even though he’s been dead a long time now. "
01:35 to 01:54 VO (start promptly)
The AIDS relief house in Vienna offers help and advice. In Austria around 12-15000 people live with HIV, and every year there are around 500 new infections. So where does society stand today on HIV / AIDS, the ‘spectre’ of the 80s?
01:55 to 02:32 OT Denis Beck
English: 01:58-02:29
"Attitudes to HIV AIDS have certainly changed over time. In the 80s it was very new, people knew little about how the infection could or couldn’t spread. It was lumped together with many taboo subjects, with homosexuality, prostitution, drug use, promiscuity and it was associated with illness, dying and death."
02:35 to 2:56
Little wonder that most people have strong prejudices. The consequence is the exclusion of those affected. Sister Stella Maris of the Order of the Good Shepherd knows the real problem facing HIV and AIDS patients. Most suffer as much from "social Aids ", as from the disease itself.
02:59-3:14 OT Sr. Stella
English: 03:01-03:12
"If you have HIV, then you're judged negatively. If you have cancer, people feel pity. It’s a big difference. "
3:16 to 3:27
Sister Stella has been caring for AIDS patients for ten years now. She doesn’t preach, she listens, comforts and helps.
03:29 to 03:55 OT Sr.Stella
English: 03:30-03:53
"My contact is non-verbal at first, but the longer I know people, and the more I visit, the more people talk. When people ask me to be there in their final days, then my role becomes deeply real, and very existential "
04:10 to 04:42 OT Wiltrut Stefanek
English: 04:11-04:40
"When I do presentations, I begin by introducing myself, and then I say that I’m HIV-positive. They look surprised, you can tell they always expect it to be visible. And in the beginning they are very still and quiet, but when I begin to tell them about the virus, even throw in a few jokes, then they relax and ask questions.”
04:43 - 04:57 VO
For these paramedics it’s unusual to meet someone who openly discusses their HIV infection. Witrut Stefanek founded the support group ‘PulsHIV’, so that she could talk to the public.
04:59 to 05:34 OT: Wiltrut Stefanek
English: 05:00-05:33
"I decided quickly that I’d be living openly with HIV, simply because I saw no reason to hide it. And I wanted to prevent people talking about it behind my back. Pretty soon afterwards I started to talk to the public too. Looking back I would still say it was the right decision, despite all the negative experiences. But I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. "
05:34 to 06:04 OT: Denis Beck
English: 05:35-06:03
"It’s unlikely anyone will actually say: I’ve got something against HIV positive people. But it’s different when it happens within your own inner circle. Then people can’t deal so easily with their fears and prejudices, so this is where we come in, supporting not only AIDS patients but also those around them, educating against fear.”
6:11 to 6:29 VO (start when Michael appears)
Michael is 48 years old. Four years ago, he contracted AIDS. He used to travel a lot. Now wheelchair-bound, he seldom leaves his apartment. Sister Stella’s visits make a welcome change.
06:31 to 07:03 OT: Sr. Stella
English: 06:32-07:00
"Almost everyone I meet has reservations when they first meet me, about the Church mostly. [Pause 1 sec] Then gradually they start to trust me. [Pause 1 sec] These people need someone to listen and to care, but not necessarily in sympathy."
7:06 to 07:23 OT: Wiltrut Stefanek
English 07:08-07:22
"Were it not for my family, my son and my partner, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m especially glad that my parents chose to support me, because I didn’t think they would in the beginning"
7:24 to 07:43 OT: Denis Beck
English: 07:25-07:42
"Thank God today’s medicine can prolong life and delay the onset of AIDS, or even prevent it altogether, but when it comes to social AIDS we’re all doctors. We must all help ensure that those affected are not ostracised.”