In the latest twist on intimate webcams, people can now log on and see something besides Gen-Y doing sex, drugs, and rock & roll. Since Valentine’s Day, Canadian AIDS patient Richard Hollingsworth has been offering the world a chance to see how he and his family deal with his disease. Their lives are shown on the Internet 24 hours a day to demonstrate an ordinary family coping with the presence of HIV disease. Mr. Hollingsworth, who lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with his wife and five children, says he wants to help save lives with the Internet show. This is not his first foray into raising consciousness about HIV: Several years ago he walked through Canada to promote AIDS awareness, contradicting the usual HIV stereotypes.
As four “drug cocktail” combinations have now failed, Mr. Hollings-worth is in declining health. However, the Web site will continue with the assistance of other HIV-infected people, including three couples and two single people. Canadian filmmakers are also creating a documentary.
The Hollingsworth family’s Web broadcast, including archived specific sections, can be seen at www.theAIDSChannel.com. Struggling with grief following the HIV death of a loved one? A new support group is forming this fall. Please call Lois Van Laningham at 469-2119 or Beth Pomeroy at 232-3405 for starting date, time, and other information. The group is free and confidential.
This article appears in September 15 • 2000.