But on to more APPE related things...on our way back to Bangkok yesterday, we stopped at an HIV/AIDS hospice center and it was the perfect way to end the learning experience we all have had here in Thailand. At first we were shown around a Museum that displayed some of the bodies of patients at the center that had succumbed to their illness. Although graphic and potentially disturbing to some, I thought it was a nice way to honor the patients and bring attention to the lives lost where families could come pray for their souls as well. In casings, there were ground and unground ashes kept in bags, mainly of the patients whose families did not want to keep the ashes. That really stung me in particular. It is sad to see the stigma that is still held by many in this country about alienating the members of their family who were infected by HIV/AIDS. Whether it is lack of education or ignorance, it is sad to think that many patients are still embarrassed and resented by those that they need support from. After that we walked through the various floors where male and female patients were kept separately. There is an area of the facility that houses individual patients who can help themselves, and other patient who are debilitated and need on-the-clock care. Of those who are unable to care for themselves, the self sufficient patients volunteer their time to help. I remember, very vividly, the look on the faces of the patients we walked past. At first their heads were bowed down but once I smiled and said "Sawadeeka" to them, they lifted their heads and returned an even bigger and warmer smile! I held back a few tears because I was thinking about how sad it was that they were ashamed or unwilling to make eye contact out of fear of being judged all because it is probably a common response they must receive! If I could stay and try to change that stigma in Thailand and in the world for that matter I would do as much as I could. We are all human - no body deserves to feel that way! It's 2018 - we have more resources, more knowledge and more facts to spread awareness about this topic and still a lot of people hold strong to their beliefs against such patients. Its very sad. I hope the smiles I shared gave those men and women even a sliver of happiness.
I later walked up the "Stairs to Heaven" which is a set of over 100 steps that led to a beautiful temple on a hill. Lindsey, TJ and I followed the monk into the temple and I closed my eyes and said a short prayer for those patients. The monk followed by giving us three a 'water blessing' shortly after.
Seema
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