Rainy Rotary meeting April 12th, 2017

Posted by Bill Lawrie on Apr 12, 2017
 

***Another Rainy Morning—Spending time with our Rotary Friends makes it better.

Guests today:

Joe Witiuk (Steve’s Dad) visiting us on his 93rd birthday,

Gerry Glazier past member visiting from his current Vancouver Club, Denise Wozniak (our guest speaker who is an inspirational speaker and world class speaking coach), Karly Simms heading up a new Interact Club for the TriCities

and Ian Soutar Rotoacter from TriCities

advertising 3 upcoming fundraisers:

April 27th Pub Night at the Town Hall Pub (Coq.) old French Quarter

May 12th Softball Tournament Pitt River Middle School

July 8th District Installation night 100-150 people to attend. Will be in Surrey

Patty introduced Karly Simms who she has known for 13 years and announced she would be heading up a new Interact Club for the TriCities.

Great to see David [Woody] back with us.

Peter updated SFPP—1 month to go (as of tomorrow) and we have sold over 50% of the tickets. Need a push to sell all.

Alan—we have some Ribfest aprons available for sale at $10.00—they can be used for our other events such as Food Bank food drive, SFPP, etc. Go online to Ribfest website to signup for volunteering to test the site.

Denise Wozniak guest speaker introduced by Gene Vickers

Do you remember June 1994? What was happening?

  1. Nelson Mandela elected 1st Black President of South Africa
  2. O.J. Simpson in the White Bronco
  3. Vancouver Canucks went to the Stanley Cup Finals and lost in 7 to NY Rangers
  4. Denise found out she and her newborn daughter were diagnosed with HIV. (from her last relationship before her marriage—had only had 3 partners before her husband) 

Her Dr. advised her that her daughter would probably die within 2 years (passed away in 3 months) and that Denise would only have up to 5 years. Fortunately she is still with us and speaking on the need to overcome the stigma of AIDS. 

Started Hummingbird Kids Society supporting families with AIDS. They received great support from Canucks with box seats donated for games. Also the Disney Company was great with supplying special toys (At the time this group was operating there were restrictions for people with AIDS to cross the border into the USA so they could not take the kids to Disneyland.

In 1996 she attended World AIDS Conference in Vancouver. In the 90’s she became a reluctant face of AIDS being willing to talk to the media—journalists, CBC, Global, Globe and Mail etc.

She developed PTSD symptoms (apparently women with HIV are 33% more likely to have PTSD

In the past 23 years since she was diagnosed there have been incredible advances in the treatment of HIV-AIDS and now people are surviving into old age. They are testing during pregnancy and are able to start medications early.

Gradually the stigma of an HIV diagnosis is disappearing due to the work of activists like Denise. 

She continues as an advocate, offers services as a Speaking Coach and relaxes with her new hobby of photography. She is supported in all her current adventures (including going back to work in her 50’s) by her husband Henry.