From Shaming to Reclaiming - AARP -Gay & Grey Event

From Shaming to Reclaiming

90 minute facilitated discussion

Aids Survivor Syndrome

Let’sKickASS - PDX

Carlton Rounds - Trainer and Author

AARP Gay and Grey Event, April 2014

Materials needed:

1. Flip chart and easel
2. Magic Markers
3. Tape for hanging sheets of flip chart on the wall
4. Handouts
5. Name Tags

PART ONE  - 10 Minutes

Introductions and Exercises to Focus the Group

Greet the people coming in into the room, ask them to find a seat and await instructions.  We will be seated dispersed within the group. (If we have nametags, ask people to write their name and put them on.) Leader will introduce the team hosts and go over the group agreements for the discussion: Jim Clay will tend to the late arrivals and welcome them to the group, directing them to sit down. Thank them for coming and let them know that their interest and participation is powerful and appreciated and important!   This will be written up on the flip chart.  

Establish a recorder for the group agreements.

(These can be pre-written with space for any extra points.)

1. What is shared in the room during our discussion is confidential
2. People are coming from different places and experiences, and each person’s story is respected and valued.
3. Use I statements when contributing to the discussion. Avoid generalizations.
4. Step up and step back.  – Means step up if you are quiet, step back if you are very verbal.
5. Listen to understand, not to respond.
6. Self-Care: Share what is comfortable for you.
7. Add anymore?

Facilitate: Who is in the room? (This five-word question is important. I like having it spoken verbatim, with a pause before and after, using these five words.)

Stand up in circle: Please tell us your first name, and in one sentence, what drew you to this discussion today?   - (go around whole circle one time)  

Utilize a timekeeper/monitor to help people move along with the sharing.

PART TWO  - 15 min

Next Exercise:  Cross Over

Directions:

Ask the group to stand up and form a line against the wall. Have them face outward in no special order. Explain to them that they are going to be asked questions, and if they identify or interpret the question as relevant to them, they are to leave the line and walk out 10 feet and stand still. Remind them that they are not obligated to answer a question if they are not comfortable.

Reminder: NO talking during the exercise. Silence is required.

1. Crossover if you have lost a person to HIV. (After they move, state this phrase: Notice who is with you, notice who is not.
2. Crossover if you have ever felt that the loss of these people to be overwhelming. (After they move, state this phrase: Notice who is with you, notice who is not.
3. Crossover if you feel if you have ever felt stigmatized or singled out. (After they move, state this phrase: Notice who is with you, notice who is not
4. Crossover if you think HIV negative people can be impacted by HIV in some ways that are similar to how HIV+ people are impacted. (After they move, state this phrase: Notice who is with you, notice who is not.
5. Cross over If you know a Long Term Survivor of HIV. (After they move, state this phrase: Notice who is with you, notice who is not.
6. Crossover if you know of any programs run by or specifically catering to Long Term Survivors. (After they move, state this phrase: Notice who is with you, notice who is not.
7. Crossover if you know or can imagine what AIDS Survivor Syndrome is? (After they move, state this phrase: Notice who is with you, notice who is not.
8. Crossover if you consider yourself a Long Term Survivor. (After they move, state this phrase: Notice who is with you, notice who is not.

HAVE THEM RETURN TO THEIR SEATS

Processing Questions after the group returns to their chairs in the one large circle.

Questions Posed In Sequence

1. How did it feel to crossover?
2. What do you know or imagine about the group that you did not know before?

PART THREE  - 20 Minutes

Next Exercise:

LEAD FACILITATOR will give the instructions on group breakdown:

(Break Into groups depending on size. Either 4, one with each facilitator, or smaller groups depending on the number.  If the group is small, we can still use 4 small groups. If the group is less than 8, then we will decide at the time.) Best not to sit with a bunch of people you already know.

They can bring their chairs to form the groups we choose.

The groups will get a piece of Flipchart Paper. (Will they need to sit near a wall, so paper can be taped to the wall?? It’s a big room.) They will decide on who will play the recorder, the reporter, the facilitator, and the time keeper. LEAD FACILITATOR will go over the roles with the groups. If the group is small, we will just have a recorder and reporter and one of the hosts will facilitate.

In the small groups, we will ask each small group to brainstorm ideas related to definition of AIDS Survivor Syndrome. Each Group will answer one question:

(Facilitators do not contribute but draw out what others are thinking.)

1. What is a Long Term Survivor? Define long–term.
2. What contribute to AIDS Survivor Syndrome?
3. Who is affected by AIDS Survivor Syndrome?
4. What kind of behaviors might be a sign that someone may be experiencing AIDS Survivor Syndrome?

The reporter from each group will present for the group and HE/SHE will be writing the responses on the Flip Chart, so that we can see the collective contribution of knowledge.

FACILITATOR will congratulate the groups and will reveal the established definition that will be written on a poster on the wall. He will compare the findings.

Definition: ASS

AIDS Survivor Syndrome (ASS) describes the collection of signs & symptoms affecting long-term survivors of HIV. The signs & symptoms of ASS include combinations of depression, survivor guilt, lack of future orientation; personality changes; anger; anxiety; emotional numbness; insomnia; social withdrawal & isolation; hopelessness; substance abuse; sexual risk-taking; and/or emotional numbness.

PART FOUR  - 15 Minutes

Facilitator presents the origin of LKA.org, reads its mission statement, and hands out the information flyer with the website. He then talks about LKA-PDX and the movement. He invites the good ideas he has heard to contribute to the group.

PART FIVE  - 30 minutes

Finally, the head trainer facilitates the final closing sharing circle.

1. What will you take away from this discussion?
2. Can you say one word that sums up how you are feeling?
3. Facilitators thank the group.

Let them know we are here after if they want to talk.