Living the Last Days: Chris Brownlie L.A. Hospice - PBS (1989)

58 min.
The digitization of this recording was made possible with grants and donations from private individuals, and the hard work of Irene Rojas of Small Wonder Media (www.smallwondermedia.com).
Further information about RHP, this collection, or its analog archives, can be found on its website: www.rainbowhistory.org, or by contacting [e-mail]. The Rainbow History Project respects the copyright and intellectual property rights associated with the materials in its collection. To the best of its knowledge, these items are either in the public domain; are orphaned works; and/or had their rights for public display transferred to RHP.

[@freddyhoyt1849]

I lost so many of friends to aids I went to so many funerals in the late 80s and early 90s I recently found a picture of me and 6 friends we all took a vacation in Hawaii I’m the only left alive in the picture now I cried so much much

[@cherubcherub1698]

I lost my father to HIV related diseases in 1995, just before things turned around for AIDS patients. I was 6. I miss him.

[@adrianh332]

I nursed many during the 80's and early 90's, it was a very difficult time.

[@anthonynewsome]

HIV is not a moral issue, it is a health issue, the staff are amazing, giving compassion, care and dignity, thanks for posting this

[@vincentmurota3961]

I saw our neighbor waste away and eventually died due to AIDS. She was a lovely lady. In the last days could barely walk, could hardly recognize me. I was only a small boy but saw it all and remember her to this day. RIP.

[@billymcmanus9642]

Medication has come such a long way since then. I usually don't talk about my personal life but I was diagnosed with HIV in 2007 and started treatment with Atriplia then switched over to Biktarvy when it came out. I've been undetectable since 2011 and does not show up on my blood work and can't pass it on but I don't take any chances & have not been in a relationship or with anyone since I found out. I go for my labs once a year now and I feel great. I wish they had this medication long time ago for these patience they would be alive today 😢 may them all R.I.P 🏳️‍🌈👼🕊️

[@MiracleFound]

These videos bring back so many memories. I was a brand new nurse in the 80's and learned about HIV/AIDs along with everyone else as we went. These patients were mostly young and so sick. I learned that there are things worse than death, but also how important it is to be alive. I will never forget their faces.

[@Afib95]

I became a nurse in 1992 and I can’t tell you how many patients I lost but I never once treated them as anything else as people❤

[@TheMohawk102]

My cousin died of aids . His family turned their backs on him . I was the only one that cared . I took care oh him on till he passed in 1998 . All he ever wanted was the love of his family .

[@melvinbaldwin9505]

RIP to all of the people that lost their lives to this deadly disease. God bless

[@chantelcuddemi7646]

I have a friend in Canada who has HIV due to a blood transfusion. She's undetectable, praise God!

[@battybethc8061]

My freind's son died of AIDS from a blood transfusion he had from an accident he suffered when he was 9 years old. This disease is horrible! RIP to all whom passed on from this horrid, deadly, disease. It's heartbreaking to see loved ones lost to AIDS! Sad. 😔

[@crocodile1313]

This reminds me of a saying they had at the AIDS ward (5B) at San Francisco General Hospital in the '80s, which was something similar to: "Don't regret growing older, it's a privilege that many will never have."

[@lauriejohnson2080]

The 80's was wild. That man was smoking a cigarette in a hospice center while in bed.

[@Rodmic-hd9pn]

I was a new graduate RN and chose to work on an AIDS floor. It was emotionally and physically grueling. Best decision I have ever made. These were my kids boys and girls n in between

[@musiq680]

This video popped up in my feed today. My uncle died in 90, and his partner passed in 1996, his anniversary is today. For me, this brings back sad memories and I can’t bring myself to watch it 😢

[@ThePearsson]

I have a friend that was about to die here in Sweden in AIDS, just when he was about to pass away the combination medication became legal, they did drive the medicin to him in an ambulance. When they arrived he was unconscious but they did manage to turn him around.

[@theresaann7388]

These people are the greatest., They are carrying in loving and it comes from their heart. I was diagnosed with AIDS back in 2003., I had it for 10 years and didn't know it until I was very, very sick.. My infectious disease doctor tell me I was very sick but she was gonna make me better.. She was an angel from above.. I was very sick and thought if I feel better if I die. Then let me die.. I can't imagine how these dates. Patients felt back in the 80s.. I was lucky at a time when there was finally a light at the end of the tunnel.. I think I started out with taking 9 pills a day., In this day in 2023 I am down to one pill a day and I am undecacable.. What A miracle. I wish it had come soon you're there. Take care of all who has this Disease. God bless from Michigan..

[@lauraracciatti2800]

So sad but at the same time it restores my faith in humanity. God bless those doctors, volunteers and souls of those who lost the AIDS battle.

[@src3360]

My mom was a new nurse in the mid- late 80s. She saw first hand the awful treatment, or lack of, of AIDs patients. It was so bad she almost quit nursing altogether. She is reluctant to talk about that time bcuz it brings up so many memories, bad and good. She lost several friends to the disease and was with several of them when they died. Bill is who I remember most. He was an RN too, they met in nursing school. He was so fun. He would come over to drink wine and dance to madonna songs and Wham! with my mom, in the living room. He brought me yoohoo and I thought it was the most fanciest chocolate milk ever created!! When he died it hurt my mother deeply. I remember the last time I saw him, I asked why everyone was so sad. He said "SAD?? Whose sad?? This is a dance party!" Which is what we called those times we listened to music and danced around the house. My childhood memories are timed around him. Memories before Bill and memories after Bill. They are all happy and fun. He really was a light in our life.