I'll Stand By You: Homecare for People with HIV/AIDS

Unless you live in the South, you probably don't know that "bless their hearts" is code for "well, they tried, and their hearts are in the right place, but they just didn't cut it." I thought of this expression often as I was watching this production of the Dubuque Regional AIDS Coalition. In 25 minutes time, the obviously uncomfortable, clearly choreographed, and reading-from-a-script hosts and various practitioners discuss the AIDS virus and its transmission, how to break the news to loved ones, health and nutrition, "being there," and the needs of the patient and caregiver. Even though some of the suggestions are sensible and helpful (how to clean up blood spills, which bathroom objects to avoid unless wearing gloves), others are just too broad and general to be useful (yes, I know we should tell children about beloved Uncle Dwayne's disease in "words they can understand," but what are those words?) In view of the short amount of time allotted to this production, I would have dispensed with most of the "soft" shots of people hugging, smelling roses, etc., and the too-broad bandwidth, and instead provided more pertinent medical advice. Strictly optional. Aud: P. (K. Glaser)