Dr. Ries
I walked Saturday, September 16, 2006, in the 10k AIDS walk-a-thon. There were six of us: My best friend, Chris; co-worker, Beverley (and great dane, Pablo); daughter, Emily; friend, Brandon; and friend, Jamie. It was a cold, overcast morning, yet those that were brave enough to come were "warm in spirit". We called our group, "Team Karry", in honor of my brother, Karry, who died of AIDS in 1991.
As we waited to begin the walk (which began at Liberty Park), a brief short program was held. Included were a few politicians, exercise motivators to "get us in the walking mode", and a few others with a story who had been touched someway in their lives by AIDS.
I was unprepared, however, for the emotions that I felt when they introduced Dr. Kristen Ries, the wonderful medical doctor for AIDS patients. Dr. Ries holds such a special place in my heart, because she was the doctor to my brother, Karry. As soon as they introduced her and said her name, the tears began to freely flow. I was so excited to actually see her, and have earnestly wanted to meet her since she so lovingly took care of Karry through his illness.
When Dr. Ries was introduced, they made the point of mentioning that she was one of a handful of doctors willing to meet with these "infectous disease" patients, who were part of a growing phenomena of people who had flu-like symptoms, and AIDS had not yet been identified. I have considered her to be a compassionate, wonderful woman who was willing to fight this wicked disease.
After her brief words, I made a beeline to meet her. I was overcome with emotion, but she was so wonderful and listened to me. I told her I was from Lehi, and that she had treated my brother, Karry, who had died in 1991. I reminded her that Karry was deaf. She remembered him, and also remembered that my mother had made her a fruitcake at Christmas time. She said Karry was a special person "that taught her a lot about life". It was a moving few moments, and I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to meet this wonderful doctor, who played a small part in helping my brother die with dignity and grace.
I walked Saturday, September 16, 2006, in the 10k AIDS walk-a-thon. There were six of us: My best friend, Chris; co-worker, Beverley (and great dane, Pablo); daughter, Emily; friend, Brandon; and friend, Jamie. It was a cold, overcast morning, yet those that were brave enough to come were "warm in spirit". We called our group, "Team Karry", in honor of my brother, Karry, who died of AIDS in 1991.
As we waited to begin the walk (which began at Liberty Park), a brief short program was held. Included were a few politicians, exercise motivators to "get us in the walking mode", and a few others with a story who had been touched someway in their lives by AIDS.
I was unprepared, however, for the emotions that I felt when they introduced Dr. Kristen Ries, the wonderful medical doctor for AIDS patients. Dr. Ries holds such a special place in my heart, because she was the doctor to my brother, Karry. As soon as they introduced her and said her name, the tears began to freely flow. I was so excited to actually see her, and have earnestly wanted to meet her since she so lovingly took care of Karry through his illness.
When Dr. Ries was introduced, they made the point of mentioning that she was one of a handful of doctors willing to meet with these "infectous disease" patients, who were part of a growing phenomena of people who had flu-like symptoms, and AIDS had not yet been identified. I have considered her to be a compassionate, wonderful woman who was willing to fight this wicked disease.
After her brief words, I made a beeline to meet her. I was overcome with emotion, but she was so wonderful and listened to me. I told her I was from Lehi, and that she had treated my brother, Karry, who had died in 1991. I reminded her that Karry was deaf. She remembered him, and also remembered that my mother had made her a fruitcake at Christmas time. She said Karry was a special person "that taught her a lot about life". It was a moving few moments, and I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to meet this wonderful doctor, who played a small part in helping my brother die with dignity and grace.
posted by Susan | 9:21 AM
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