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Show Mimiai: A Tree Story AIDS Video Released. By Cara Cahoon in this story have been to those involved.) protect changed She still tries to be secretive, but I can always tell when she does it again." said Alex about his roommate Jenifer and her (NOTE: The names binge-purg- e eating cycles. Alex and Jenifer, students at the University of Utah, have been friends for almost four years. They have shared an apartment for a year and a half. Jenifer has been bulimic since she was 16; she is now 23. Through media coverage and a broader awareness in general, we have become more conscious of bulimia and its effects on the people who have this eating diorder. Little attention has been given to the feelings of the person or persons living with a bulimic. Alex feels he has been affected in many different ways since living with someone with such a problem. Ive gone through all the emotions, through anger and confusion (since I found out Jenifer was bulimic)," said Alex. I still dont understand it." Jenifers bulimia was never extremely noticable according to Alex. There was never a large amount of food missing from the house. Therewereneverbigmessesleftinthe bathroom. Her physical appearance did not change drastically. - Nevertheless, the problem was there and Alex has found it hard to handle at times. Simply discovering Jenifers problem was the first difficulty Alex had. I was surprised, she seemed really together. He said she was not the type one would think would be . bulimic. He also commented on the helplessness associated with not knowing how to deal with bulimia, a psychological problem as well as a physical one. Jenifer has told Alex he has helped her a lot since they have been friends; while the situation has improved, the . problem still exists, t , Different approaches were taken by Alex in the beginning to get Jenifer to stop her binge-purg- e habit. At one point he tried to make her feel like what she was doing was simply , . I was rude and critical unacceptable. towards her habit: I made it something that was wrong. When this did not work Alex tried to be as understanding as possible. He told Jenifer bulimia was not such a horrible thing, she just needed to get help. Alex even tried to be the one to give that help to her. I wanted it to stop and I wanted to be the one to stop it," he said. It has been difficult, Alex said for him to realize he can only help so much. Our lives are so intertwined it seems there should be something I could do; I used to always ask her (about her problem), but not any more." Alex said not bothering Jenifer about her bulimia has been the best approach so far. She has improved in the last two years. Jenifer has gone without purging for up to two months; she'll then go through stages of purging twice a day for three days. Now it is about once a week" said Alex. In comparison to most bulimics. Jenifer is She open about her eating disorder. answers every question I have," said Alex. He said she used to be much more secretive about it and now she talks about it with little aprehension. She has also received counseling, but is not in therapy at this time for financial reasons. Another difficulty Alex has experienced in living with Jenifer is her Inability to see why she has the problem at all. He thinks the problem goes far beyond what she is able to talk about and she will not admit there may be some deep psychological reasons for her eating disorder. She doesn t give much of an explanation (about why she has bulimia). She uses stress now as her excuse." Alex said. Alex feels if Jenifer were able to get some counseling she would be able to see why she really is bulimic and eventually be able to stop. He is finally realizing that he is not the one to get Jenifer to stop. He said he has done as much as he can. It is up to her now," he said. long-ter-m Bulimia is a serious problem. Much attention has been given to the disease and its' consequences." In this vast amount of coverage on the subject, the person with the disorder is usually the only one considered. The American Red Cross has launched the youth portion of its extensive AIDS Public Education Program by releasing a new video, accompanied by a brochure for parents, a teachers guide, and a student workbook Titled A Letter From Brian," the video is Anyone who engages in practices such as sharing needles to inject illegal drugs or having sex with an infected person is at risk for AIDS. Of all the cases reported in the United States since 1981, 98 percent have been among the following groups of people: Sexually active homosexual and bisexual men (or men who have had sex with another man since 1977) (66 percent). Present or past abusers of illegal intravenous (IV) drugs (16 percent). Homosexual and bisexual men who are also IV drug abusers (8 percent). Persons who have had transfusions of blood or blood products (2 percent). Persons with hemophilia or other bloodclotting disorder who have received bloodclotting factors ( 1 percent) . Heterosexual men and women (who were sex partners of persons with AIDS or persons at risk for AIDS, and people bom in countries where heterosexual transmission is thought to be more common in the United States (4 percent). Infants bom to mothers infected with the AIDS virus (1 percent). About two percent of AIDS patients do not fall into any of these groups, but scientists believe that the virus was transmitted to them in the same ways it was to the other 98 percent. Some patients could not be followed up and some died before complete histories could be taken. predominant risk factors for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Narrated by actor Michael Warren, who I played Officer Bobby Hill on Hill Street! Blues," the 29 minute video, "A Letter From Brian" features a vignette about the relationship between a teenage girl, Beth, and her I boyfriend, Scott. Both are confused about their relationship after Beth receives a letter I from a former boyfriend, Brian, telling her that he has contracted AIDS from sharing! intravenous needles while using drugs. In a unique approach that recognizes the moral and social values of communities nationwide, the Red Cross is making the video available to its network of nearly 3,000 Chapters for distribution to schools. libraries, civic groups and health organiza-- 1 tions. Dallis Pierson, manager of the Salt Lake Area Chapter Red Cross, stated that "The primary purpose of the video is to provide a I family and school-base- d program to give junior and senior high students the information and encouragement they need to choose behaviors that reduce their risk of getting the AIDS virus." The video examines the misconceptions about AIDS among youth, and dramatizes the impact of the disease on impressionable teenagers. C. Everett Koop, M.D., United States Surgeon General, is also featured in the video. "The threat of AIDS has added a new dimension of pubic health concerns to! adolescent behavior," said Mr. Pierson. The video conveys the value and, importance of I long-terfaithful relationships, and of onset of sexual activity." the delaying In addition to A Letter From Brian. and its accompanying print materials. Red Cross' AIDS education program community-base- d film also includes an award-winnin- g service a Fear," Beyond public advertising campaign, brochures, and posters. All are aimed at convincing teenagers to abstain from aimed at helping prevent the spread of AIDS among the American people. intravenous drugs and sex, the two most m I Those who live most closely to the bulimic must also be noted. While they cannot take the place of the counselor, they, as in the case of Alex, may have a positive influence on the bulimic. They themselves are also influenced in the process. Mazatlan Trip Approaching By Myriam Hernandez While some of us are staying in Salt Lake City during Spring break, a group of 18 students from Westminster College are spending eight glorius days in sunny Mazatlan. , The trip was organized by Jackie Haus, campus life director. The cost is $348, including hotel, transfers and airfare, if four people stay in one room. If three people stay in one room the cost is $399 for the same package. According to Haus, the trip does not involve credit hours, because the students are going there on vacation. They will not be restricted to a schedule. The trip is open to what the students want to do," said Haus. Haus is surprised with the great response The group she felt from the students. includes traditional and students as well as international students. "Students liked the price. We tried to keep it as fair as possible, because students are on a limited budget, said Haus. non-tradition- al Considering that this is the best season for traveling, Haus was able to arrange a good deal with the help of a graduate student. Deep sea fishing, scuba diving, shopping and wind surfing are just a few activities in which the students will be able to participate. The group will be there just in time for the Festival week. The students can participate as much as they want to, said Haus. Some of the students have studied Spanish and will take this opportunity to use their ability. All the students are looking forward to this vacation as is the staff. I am looking forward to the wind surfing, the scuba diving and a lot of good looking men to look at and have fun with." said Elke Haussmann. At the students request Haus may arrange tours. "Mazatlan is a tourist city and we want to take advantage of it, said Haus. This is a vacation for the students. Spring break is to relax and have fun. If sunny Mazatlan is for you there Is still time left to contact Haus to make arrangements. After Feb. 1 5 . it will be too late. They will be taking off on that day. , and students The Academic Computing Lab will be open for use by all faculty, staff, during the following hours: Monday - 7:00 a.m. to 1 1:00 p.m. Tuesday- - 7:00 a.m. to 1 1 p.m. Wednesday - 7:00 a.m. to 1 1 p.m. Thursday - 7:00 a.m. to 1 1 p.m. Friday- - 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday-10:0- 0 to 8:00 p.m. a.m. 10:00 Sunday -- If the room is not open during the scheduled hours or if you have any questions concerning the lab please feel free to call Dave Humphrey at ext. 260. February 9, 1988 Issue 1 1 Forum 5 |