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Picture 1:
James Summer 2003
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James’ Story
James found out he was HIV-positive in October of 1990. At the time he was
living with his partner, Tom, in a committed relationship. He and Tom lived
together for thirteen years, until Tom died of AIDS in 1995. During the
relationship, James worked as a cook and cashier at a local deli, located
in the Quarter. He had no savings of his own, and his possessions outside
of things he owned with Tom were very few. When Tom died, Tom’s family did
not acknowledge James, and James was left out on the street with no money,
no possessions, no place to live, and an AIDS diagnosis. In 1995, the year
that James lost his domestic partner and his home, James came to live at
Belle Reve, where he has lived ever since. James takes a myriad of
medications, many of them with terrible side effects, such as dementia,
severe diarrhea, disorientation, and other problems that keep him more
housebound than not. James celebrated his fifty-eighth birthday with the
staff of Belle Reve, in July of 2003. His room is meticulous, filled with
lovely collections of dolls and collectibles. His fine artwork is displayed
across his walls. When asked when he started painting, he replied, “As
soon as I got a paintbrush. Around eight years old.” James expressed
fear that Belle Reve might one day lose what he considers its individuality
and charm. James says that he enjoys having a real room in a real house,
and not an institutionalized impersonal room. Overall, James thinks he is
doing pretty well, for “an old man,” as he refers to himself. We wish James
the opportunity to continue to grow older.
Since the writing
of this piece, James passed away from respiratory failure on October 10,
2003. He will be sorely missed by Belle Reve staff who knew him well and
loved him. May his interest in others, his artwork, and his whit live on in
our memories. James’ artwork can be seen through Belle Reve’s site.
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