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Photo by Doug Koontz
Robert Watkins is a volunteer at Positive Influence, a support group for people with HIV and AIDS. |
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Robert Watkins' wife died nearly three years ago from complications from hepatitis C. Before her death, Watkins said, she wanted to use her experience to help others affected by the disease. Last fall, Watkins got his own diagnosis: HIV. He was referred to Positive Influence, an organization in downtown Frederick that offers support and assistance to people with HIV and AIDS. "Everyone was so welcoming," he said of his first support group meeting. After a few months, Watkins decided to do more. He was elected to the organization's board of directors and named secretary, and he hopes his work with Positive Influence, or PI as it's known to members, will help carry on his wife's desire to help others. Many people in the Frederick area who have HIV and AIDS must travel to hospitals in Baltimore and Washington to get treatment, and Watkins drives those who don't have transportation to appointments. He also helps organize fundraising events to keep PI going. "It makes me feel good, and it eases (other patients) knowing someone else that has it is going with them," Watkins said. About 10 to 15 people attend PI's support group each week, and the organization boasts about 30 regular volunteers, he said. Debbie Anne, HIV/AIDS program supervisor at the Frederick County Health Department, works with PI members as well, and said the work of volunteers like Watkins is crucial. "It's an invaluable service," she said. "As a health care provider, we'd run into a major brick wall if not for Positive Influence." In addition to his work with PI, Watkins said he wants to make people aware of the need to get tested for the virus. "I didn't think it would happen to me," Watkins said. "A lot of people think you have to be gay or a drug user É but anyone is prone to it." Watkins said the most important thing a person with HIV can do is find the right help, both in terms of medical care and emotional support. "It's not necessarily a death sentence anymore, but I believed it was at first," he said. "There's always something out there that can help battle it." And for Watkins, getting help for himself is important so that he can continue to care for his 13-year-old son. His son comes to PI support group meetings to both help and learn. When Watkins was first diagnosed, explaining the virus and its effects to his son was difficult, he said. "But now he can learn while he's here helping out."
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