Every day a new normal

Have you ever thought about how you would react to being told you had an incurable illness? Would you want to fight the illness or give in to it and the effects it would surely bring to your life? Would you be able to accept the diagnosis?

These were Ted Taylor's reactions after being told almost 15 years ago that he had AIDS. Ted recently shared his story at a continuing education class for Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocates at the Douglas County campus of Western Nevada College.

When his test results were affirmed, the lab technicians and doctors were surprised by his calm acceptance of what at that time was a possible death sentence.

As a recovering alcoholic who had completed the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, Ted truly believed and lived as if this was something to be accepted, confronted and dealt with. He refused to accept that it was as bad as they were portraying it to be and truly believed that "God would not give me more than I could handle."

Ted approached the diagnosis with an eagerness to learn as much as he could about it and with a desire to educate co-workers, relatives, friends and strangers in his life. He wasn't walking around with a sign around his neck announcing he has AIDS, but situations provided opportunities to educate others about some of the misconceptions on how this disease is spread or transmitted.

Ted especially enjoys talking to young people and enlightening them to the possible consequences of the choices they may make.

He told of spending many lunch breaks with a pharmacist friend who gave him the best piece of advice for his new way of life. Medications of that time consisted of more than 30 pills a day and several drug "cocktails" all designed to raise the T-cell count and suppress the virus' spread throughout the body.

They caused a variety of side effects from vomiting to unpredictable diarrhea. Ted's pharmacist friend took the time to explain how the medications would affect his body and some things to expect. He told him that each day would be a "new normal" and not to get in the habit of comparing today with yesterday. This became his mantra: Each day is my new normal. Simple words we can apply to our own lives.

On June 3, 1997, he joined 10 other HIV-positive men on the boat Survivor to participate in the Trans-Pacific Yacht Race, a 2,225-nautical-mile race from Long Beach, Calif., to Waikiki, Hawaii.

Their goal was to finish the race, but they surprised themselves. They made it to Hawaii through rough seas, high winds, storms and a hurricane. The Survivor came in 19th and was the subject of the documentary film, "Rock the Boat."

If you would like to invite Ted to talk to your group or organization, you can contact him through the CASA office at 782-6247.

Have a ramblin' good week.

-- To reach Gail Davis, e-mail RuhenstrothRamblings@yahoo.com or call 265-1947.