C.A.R.E. Program

I was diagnosed in 2010 with HIV. I was living in the Inland Empire and going to San Bernardino public health (not too bad). When I got back together with my partner after we separated, we moved to Long Beach. It was 2011. My partner started CARE and I went to Long Beach Comprehensive Medical (Los Angeles county public health). The reason I did that escapes me.
I saw he was getting far better care and faster especially the dentist so I enrolled at CARE. I immediately fell in love with Dr. A. She is caring and professional. The nursing staff is great as well as the ancillary staff.
Soon after I enrolled at CARE, I was eligible to go to the dentist. I have to tell you I think I see the dental office staff more than my home and family. I’ve had so much dental work done in 3 years a CARE than I’ve had in most of my life. The care I receive from Dr. Diaz and her staff is amazing. I HATE THE DENTIST but Dr. Diaz is really good. I still have lots of dental work to do but with the dentist at CARE dental it won’t be bad. I’m so blessed to be under the care of CARE.

care a very comprehensive clinic for those dealing with hiv/​aids

*************************TODAY IS WORLD AIDS DAY***************************
«Let us not shut the door on our darkest hours, our darkest past of what may seem to be regrets, for they ALL remind us of where we came from & what we have overcome, they are our assets in helping others to realize too, those dark hours were not their fault.»
~MP
I’m a man who has many things that are private, yet I have no secrets, for secrets hold you hostage, bully you and prevent you from living, resentments too & intolerance, like bigotry, are like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.
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I have been HIV positive since 1984, a devastating blow that in time led me to become involved in many programs as a program director, grant writer, activist and example that this diagnosis is NOT a death sentence and is not something I ever intended to acquire; my wild ways of the 1970s to some may be cause to pause, but none of us men, women and children knew that this epidemic, pandemic and now both would be waiting to take many and leave many to lead in the fight.
The CARE Program
is the 5^th program to which I’ve been a patient since was I able to find treatment in 1991from a local MD in Downey.
I was referred here ironically by an MD in 2004 that had me move on after many years in an early intervention project and, ironically more, many of my former colleagues are the staff here too.
This program is funded by grants, donations and The Ryan White Care Act funding and provides a wide variety of services to ALL who are living with HIV & AIDS.
Excellent MDS, NPS, PA-​CS, RNS, MAS, Treatment Advocates, Case management, Dieticians, social workers, lab techs, psychiatric services, dental care, referral services and an NOLP
(Necessities of Life program) every Tuesday from 10AM-4:30PM from a food bank; they provide bus passes, housing assistance, counseling services and most of all unconditional love.
Also, flu shots, tetanus shots, pneumonia vaccines, TB testing and just about every medical assistance one needs to prevail, not just survive living with this illness.
I donate my meds
(as do many other patients) I no longer take as many RNS, MDS & PA-​CS go to Africa twice a year to pass out medications that are not available in the country where many are dying and lack proper medical care for this disease.
This is a great program and has a waiting list, yet will accommodate those in emergency need and, they take Medi-​Medi, insurances, private low sliding scale pay and offer assistance financially for the impoverished human beings who are not able to afford their care.
I’ve seen so many men, women & children die, so many that I stopped counting at 500; many were my friends, friends for over 20 years, some, as patients in my practice as a PA-​C, some as clients in the many programs I’ve been blessed to be apart of as a program director under the umbrella of agencies providing many other services.
One thing I do know, I’m here for a reason, to show that even after 28 years of being positive (receiving an AIDS diagnosis in 2004 when my T-​Cells dropped below 200 for just a blip) that this is not a death sentence or, a punishment from anything or anyone.
I have a T-​cell count of 500, my Viral Load is undetectable, less than 20 and have never had an AIDS defining illness; I participate in many studies for new drugs and treatments since my immune system is so strong the virus just does not have a chance to beat me, I baffle many medical professionals as to why I’m an exception, still alive, no damage to my internal organs and yet, there too are many more men, women & children out there just like me:
Long term Non-​Progressors, who continue to help the newly diagnosed thanks to The CARE Program here in Long Beach CA.
So there you have it my fellow Unilocalers & Unilocal friends the truth with no shame or secrets, but an offering in this review for those of you who need care or, know of someone who does, contact this program and see how you may be assisted in prevailing over this disease from the help of a great staff and program.
I remember, I WAS there,
, I lost Long Time Companions, I related to the movie Philadelphia and still cry as I remember seeing what the movie And The Band Played On portrayed-​my people, my friends and the fallen to young, gone to soon: