When living is harder than dying
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Regarding the Oct. 18-19 series "Wasting Away," on mismanagement and waste in the District's services for those with HIV/AIDS:
At Joseph's House, it takes everything we've got to keep our hearts open to suffering, to care for each person with compassion and skill day after day, year after year. Seeing the photograph of our former resident Eunice Minor on the front page of The Post, Ann Dodge, a nurse at Joseph's House, said, "I can't believe this is what I do every day. This picture is about so much suffering." Yes, it is. In our city there is so much suffering from AIDS.
At Joseph's House, we have learned that living can be harder than dying. The Post series demonstrated that. So many mothers and children and older people with AIDS are in need of the basics -- a decent place to live. It's overwhelming. The inertia in the face of all this need is overwhelming.
It is possible, and I believe preferable, to evaluate inadequate nonprofit responses to these deep needs without judging people by their biographies. Slowly and sometimes painfully over the past 20 years, Joseph's House has learned how hard it is to provide consistent, excellent care while paying the bills and providing meaningful support for our staff and volunteers. For us, too, it can be a challenge.
The Post series has provided public recognition of our neighbors who are suffering. Thank you. It is our responsibility as Washingtonians to respond generously to our neighbors who have severe and costly needs, be it for housing or education, health care or compassionate end-of-life care. As human beings, we are called to sacrifice for one another.
Patricia Wudel, Washington
The writer is executive director of Joseph's House.
