December 2014_Layout 1 09/12/2014 16:51 Page 1 HAPPINESS IS No 4 Vol 16 Winter 2014 VITAL December 2014_Layout 1 09/12/2014 16:51 Page 2 2 Editorial by Joe McDonagh 3 Challenging Times by Gerry Coy Editorial 4 An Appreciation by Dr. Shay On MOnday 1st december we celebrated develop empowerment in their own lives. 5 What's in the News? World aIdS day 2014 – it’s a day people all Later in the evening we held the special 6 Ask Lorraine over the world come together to raise candlelit memorial service in the wonderful 7 World AIDS Day Poster awareness about HIV/aIdS, encourage surroundings of St nicholas’ Collegiate Competition 2014 progress in prevention, treatment and care, Church in Galway, to remember those who 8 World AIDS Day Memorial and look to break down the stigma still have died as a result of aIdS and to show Concert 2014 surrounding the condition. solidarity and support to those living with 9 World AIDS Day Memorial Sadly, the latest figures on HIV infection HIV. This was the 15th year that we have Concert 2014 rates for 2014 in Ireland already show an held this event and there were around 300 10 Poetry by Mary Turley increase of over 40 new diagnoses on the people in attendance. We were treated to a McGrath corresponding period for 2013 with the selection of wonderful hymns and carols 11 A Big Day Out In Australia by current figure for this year standing at 351 performed by Cois Cladaigh under the Alyce Vella new diagnoses. Regular testing for STI’s is musical direction of Brendan O’Connor as Scary Ebola by Neil Wilson essential as undiagnosed infection is widely well as the beautifully blended and recognised as a key factor driving the HIV magnificent voices of Bel Canto featuring 12 Patient Zero and the Origins of HIV/AIDS by Kate epidemic. Someone who remains delia Boyce, Sandra Schalks and Hildegarde Dawson undiagnosed is much more likely to pass the naughton under the musical direction of 13 Enthusiastic Consent by virus on unwittingly than someone who has Mairead Berrill. Siobhan O’Higgins been tested and is on treatment. The audience were deeply moved as we heard Fire in the Blood Film Review On Sunday 30th november, aIdS West an aIdS West service user describe his by Emma Martin hosted a seminar for our service users where journey through 25 years of living with HIV. 14 High Times by Neil Wilson local psychologist and author Michael He detailed his experiences with great Hardiman detailed how we can improve self- dignity, honesty and indeed humour, 15 Useful Contacts esteem and confidence through a clear focus, summarising that he felt fortunate to have and by the process of empowerment which met some truly remarkable and inspirational within our community’. enables us to move towards living in a way people on this journey who had a very special thank you to the Rev Gary that will bring greater fulfilment and demonstrated unconditional and true Hastings, Catherine and Jane from St satisfaction. The seminar was interesting and friendship. I sincerely thank him for sharing nicholas’ Collegiate Church for their they left with a clearer understanding of the his experience with us. support and for once again making us so variety of tools that they can utilise to help We were grateful that the Mayor of the City welcome in this beautiful church. To all who of Galway, donal Lyons was in attendance – attended on the evening and helped in he outlined that the World aIdS day theme making this such a wonderful evening. also, is ‘Getting to Zero - this means Zero new the excellent staff team at aIdS West a very infections, Zero discrimination and Zero special ‘thank you’. aIdS related deaths.’ Early in november, we were deeply saddened The Mayor thanked aIdS West for their to hear that dr Shay Keating’s long term essential work supporting people living with companion and civil partner Paul Strecker HIV in the West of Ireland and went on to Keating had died. Shay has been a very dear commend the work we do in delivering friend of aIdS West for a number of years ourSexual Health Education Programmes to and our thoughts and prayers are with Shay Schools, Colleges, and other community and the Strecker and Keating families at this groups stating ‘these excellent programmes time. play a major role in increasing awareness Joe McDonagh around HIV and sexual transmitted infection General Manager, AIDS West Happiness is Vital — page 2 December 2014_Layout 1 09/12/2014 16:51 Page 3 YouTube for the masses There are many things that make life easier Jools Live can also be found on you Tube. when we are trying to relax and enjoy our Last words on music, check out War on leisure time. My particular favourites are The drugs and Sharon van Etten. I Pad, netflix and yOU TUBE. It’s So to film and there are magnificent things to important to say that for the real enjoyment be found on the tube. Over the last number of any of these, a good fibre-broadband of years many great films have disappeared. I connection is important. It’s only in the last started checking a few months ago and found month I upgraded but the difference is the following: astounding. In this article I am going to naked - Mike Leigh, (1993) -one of my top concentrate on the free option among the ten films of all time and a winner at Cannes three listed, yOU TUBE. But first I have to no Surrender - (1985),from the writer of say: for anybody who loves the cinema and Boys from the Blackstuff, alan Bleasdale TV, at 7.99 a month netflix is amazing. Just The Ruling Class - (1972), great comedy with to mention a couple of treats now available: Peter O'Toole thinking he's Jesus Breaking Bad, House of Cards, The Thick of This Sporting Life - (1963), the It, Getting On, nurse Jackie and the two breakthrough film for Richard Harris. magnificent Scandi-thrillers, The Bridge and My dinner with andre (1981)- a film about and lastly moving quickly to T.V, two of my The Killing. My pick of the lot, if you enjoy 2 men talking in a restaurant ... need I say favourite series of all time are available: The off the wall comedy/thrillers, is Lillehammer. more! norman Conquests (1977) written by alan This concerns a former new york mobster, Gimme Shelter - (1970) - the Rolling Stones ayckbourn and starring Tom Conti in his relocated, under the witness protection at altamount, quiet harrowing finest role and Blackeyes(1989) written by programme, to Lillehammer in norway. The My Man Godfrey - (1936) - William Powell dennis Potter and unavailable for a long time. title role of Johnny is played by Bruce and Carole Lombard, magic and there are thousands of other fantastic Springsteen’s right hand man, Steve Van The Evil dead - (1981) - great horror items to find and Christmas is a great time to Zantz. Steve is a howl and his interactions comedy, long banned in Ireland start looking....and it's all free. with the locals are hilarious. The three series The Fog of War - (2003) - a fine to date are all up on netflix. documentary on the life of Robert S Happy new year and so to you Tube. What I love about the Mcnamara Gerry Coy site is the sheer amount of videos and films available for free and aside from the dodgy phone videos, there is a huge amount to enjoy. My particular interest is in music, cinema and TV. Starting with music the site has a magnificent collection of concerts from over the ages. Some highlights include: david Bowie, in a selection of performances from the start of his career. Van Morrison, live at Montreux 1980 The Rolling Stones, live in London, 1971 The Waterboys, live in nurburg, 1986 Miles davis, Isle of Wight, 1970 Marvin Gaye, live in atlanta, 1974 and lastly my favourite band of the moment, Future Islands in Washington this year. and speaking of Future Islands, they also had The staff at AIDS West would like to wish you and yours a very happy and healthy Christmas. my favourite single this year with ' Seasons We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support (waiting on you)', a fantastic live version from throughout 2014. Happiness is Vital — page 3 December 2014_Layout 1 09/12/2014 16:51 Page 4 Paul Keating Strecker an appreciation On THE 8th OF nOVEMBER last, my ‘discuss with dr. Shay’ column. His advice longtime companion, civil partner and best on how to ‘pitch’ my writing was invaluable: friend died suddenly and unexpectedly at our we doctors often have a tendency to patronise house in Kilmainham, dublin. Paul and I or to talk over peoples’ heads. Paul kept me were together for 18 years, the best and most well grounded. Paul was also an accomplished fulfilled years of my life. writer himself. He wrote many poems and anyone who met Paul was immediately short stories. His children’s book ‘Paddy the drawn to him, his beaming smile, his larger Pigeon’ has not been published yet. than life personality, his amazing good looks Many did not know that Paul was a champion Like many of us, Paul had his demons. In life but mostly his honesty, empathy and his true pigeon racer, racing pigeons from the north he knew great suffering but never let this desire to care for all who crossed his path.