HIV Victim Pleads for Public Understanding

Last December 1, World's AIDS Day, had double significance for 33-year-old Liu Ziliang. It was also the day of his rebirth, the day he removed the sunglasses behind which he had long hidden from society, and looked his fellow citizens straight in their collective eye. Gazing back, perhaps a little less fearfully than a few years ago, was the deeply inbred ignorance, misunderstanding, suspicion and discrimination with which he had lived for the previous 13 emotionally devastating years.

But Liu was heartened to also notice something else, the sincere wish of many people to listen to, and fully understand, what he had to say about the biggest killer since the great plagues of history, and how he innocently fell victim to HIV--Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

While the progress of HIV can now often be slowed by modern but highly expensive drugs, it invariably leads to full-blown AIDS. Softly-spoken Liu is well aware of this, and thus is the more determined to attract the full glare of publicity in citing his own case, its consequences and how others can avoid infection.

Liu grew up in the countryside, and in his early years worked in construction. His labors made him strong and healthy, which is how he still appears today despite his condition. Facing a BTM camera, he was relaxed and ready with a smile - the more so on this occasion because he had just completed a month-long Beijing-Shanghai bicycle tour to arouse public awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS. En route he proclaimed his cause in Tianjin, Jinan, Xuzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi and Suzhou.

Sadly, he suffered further discrimination in Tianjin, where a hotel refused to accept him as a guest because he is HIV-positive. The incident simply hardened his resolve to get his message across to the public.

In Tianjin as elsewhere, he was happy to go onto the streets and tell people he is HIV-positive. As in other cities on his tour, he was greatly encouraged to receive smiling handshakes and words of encouragement. One individual even made a donation to his cause.

Liu attributes his "new life" of championing HIV/AIDS sufferers to Zhu Ming, head of Beijing Xinxing Hospital, who encouraged him to battle on at a time when he wanted to end his life ...

Birth of Despair

Liu's wife died suddenly in 1985, leaving him with two young children who he could barely feed, let alone clothe and educate. Poverty stricken and despairing, he four times in one year sold some of his blood to a local transfusion center, each time being paid just 50 yuan which he spent on clothing for his children. He was totally unaware of the center's appalling hygienic standards, and that its poorly inspected and maintained transfusion equipment might infect him with HIV. Indeed, it was not until 1998, 13 years later when undergoing a company medical, that Liu was diagnosed as a carrier of the virus.

His boss wasted no time in spreading the news to fellow workers--which immediately found Liu on the receiving end of cruel discrimination. He lost his job, and fellow villagers, including his brothers and sisters, ceased visiting and talking to him. News traveled quickly in his small rural world, and soon restaurants and--worst of all--hospitals, refused him admission.

In desperation, Liu built a 1.7-meter-high wall in front of his house, a barrier against scornful looks from those who were once his friends. Often his children returned from school crying, having endured the laughter and rude comments of other pupils. Uncomprehending, they were particularly upset that the other children would not play with them. During this time, Liu's second wife left him and the child they had parented.

Beijing Samaritan

His life unbearable, Liu came to Beijing to seek help. Hearing that Director Xu of You'an Hospital was a kind woman who had helped many HIV/AIDS sufferers, he called her and was greeted by a warm invitation to visit. Xu both taught Liu more about HIV/AIDS than he could ever have learned elsewhere, and encouraged him to live on for his children's sake as well as his own. She also persuaded Liu's runaway wife to return to him, and introduced Liu to a movie director who was planning a documentary on HIV/AIDS patients. Fearful that such publicity and the disclosure of his name would make life even more difficult for his family, Liu was far from enthusiastic about the project.

Came World AIDS Day last year, when a Beijing party named "Fluttering Red Ribbon" was held. Liu, wearing dark sunglasses, appeared on stage as a representative of HIV/AIDS sufferers. It was to prove a defining evening for Liu, everyone else present and for the Chinese world outside ...

It was at this party that Liu got to know Zhu Ming, now a bosom friend and, as Liu is happy to confirm and family apart, is the most important person in his life. Zhu, a lean and energetic man in his prime, has never been content with what he calls a commonplace life. Soon after becoming the president of Xinxing Hospital, he took many innovative steps in reforming its image and environment. Examples include wards redecorated in bright colors, nurses sporting pretty but practical pink uniforms, and relaxing background music in wards and public areas.

Learning that the "Fluttering Red Ribbon" party had received no sponsorship, Zhu supported it with 250,000 yuan on behalf of Xinxing Hospital. At the party, Zhu was deeply moved by Liu's courage and so decided to "do something for the brave guy." Which is why he suddenly removed his new-found friend's sunglasses to symbolize the need for the arousal of people's awareness about the real, harsh world of HIV/AIDS. The unspoken message was simple: Open Your Eyes. His action marked the beginning of a big step forward in the prevention and control of the diseases in China. It was also Liu's escape from self-isolation.

Post-party, Zhu visited Liu's hometown to invite him to receive treatment in Beijing. During his stay, Zhu constantly and openly clasped Liu's hand to prove to villagers that HIV/AIDS could not be transmitted by this form of physical contact. Zhu and his colleagues handed out many booklets about the diseases, and how they could be prevented. The hospital president also presented Liu with a gift of 8,700 yuan, donated by all the staff of Xinxing Hospital.

Zhu's warmth and sincerity gradually rid Liu's heart of all the iciness he had long felt. "He renewed my trust in other people", said a grateful, emotional Liu of Zhu's humanity. Financially and emotionally supported by Zhu, Liu returned to Beijing to undergo "cocktail therapy" at You'an Hospital. During this time, Liu was persuaded to face the media without any attempt to hide his identity. To further relieve Liu's worries, Zhu promised to be responsible for Liu and his family, whatever the future held. Zhu told him: "Your children are also mine. If I have a bowl of rice, you will also have one." Thus did Liu finally feel confident enough to fight prejudice against sufferers of HIV/AIDS.

'Sharing Responsibility'

Asked by Beijing This Month to explain why he so openly supported and encouraged Liu while society in general had cast him out, Zhu said: "His courage touched me. As a healthy person, I felt I should give more of my energy to the world. As a member of society, I should take my share of responsibility." But he too has paid a price. Friends and members of his family say they cannot understand his actions, and some have even cut their contact with him. Xinxing Hospital's business, meanwhile, has been hit because of its involvement with HIV/AIDS patients.

Despite these criticisms, Zhu said he does not regret anything he has done. "More important is that I want to see how much social compatibility can develop, and the extent to which civilization can develop," he said. He fervently hopes that his friendship with Liu can inspire society in general to offer more care to those who need help, whatever their affliction. Liu, meanwhile, said he does not regret "stepping forward to face the public". He explained: "I am not afraid of death, but I was always discouraged by people's misunderstanding and the discrimination I faced. I want to do something to prevent my experience happening to other people."

Zhu Ming, he said, had brought sunshine and laughter back to his life. Even so, he remains riddled with anxieties about his and his family's future. He thinks his and their outlook to be bleak unless society becomes more accepting of people suffering from HIV/AIDS. "Patients and their relatives are impatient for a major change of attitudes. My kids are growing up. If things don't change for the better quickly, their future will be ruined because no schools will enroll them." Even though his story has been well publicized in China, no schools have come forward with offers to educate his children.

Liu is equally eager to find a job: "I no longer want to be such a heavy burden on Zhu Ming," he said. But Zhu dismisses Liu's wish for employment, insisting that his friend's priority is to continue with his treatment and remain committed to spreading knowledge about HIV/AIDS.
 

HIV/AIDS Treatment

Hospitals specializing in HIV/AIDS treatment:

You'an Hospital, Tel:6329-2211

Ditan Hospital,Tel:6421-1031

(1)Hotlines:6227-5550, 6223-8683(1pm-4pm, Mon-Fri).

(2)Websites: (a)www.aids.net.cn (b)www.telemedicine.com.cn (c)www.china-fpsa.com (d)www.aidsclub.com