"It takes away some of the isolation," he said, "Before, I wasn't aware of how many people have so many concerns similar to and even greater than my own."
As much as Jim helps his clients, they help him, too. "I've seen how other people cope and handle things," he said, "And interacting with a client and helping them is very satisfying."
Full Circle
Jim has been able to witness first hand the impact AIDS has made on the world. He is glad that more and more people are opening up about the disease, but fears that ignorance still reigns. "I know it's a tired line, but people still think that people with AIDS did something to deserve it."
But, he advises, that "making it a moral issue doesn't help a person who's already got it. And I'd want to tell [these people] to open their eyes, open their heart and look at personal stories of people with the disease."
And while Jim wakes up every day knowing he has a life-threatening disease, he also knows that there are many others who still have it much worse. "I have access to all the right kind of care if I need it and a wonderful doctor," he said. "So, I can't imagine what it must feel like for someone with HIV who's in a place where there's absolutely no opportunity to turn to anybody."
Even if he doesn't realize it, Jim, along with God's Love We Deliver, is that "somebody" for countless others.
