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Theresa, Raymond and Joseph
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It seemed that this happy couple would look forward to a wonderful life
together. Raymond and Theresa, happily married and now expecting a baby,
had everything in place - they were content to be a normal, everyday, middle
class family.
During a routine pre-natal checkup, Theresa's doctor advised a blood
test for HIV. Of course she complied. At the time, nearly six years ago,
this sort of test was routine. |
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The test came back positive - it seemed impossible. It was devastating
to Theresa and Raymond. It is not clear why they separated shortly afterward,
but Raymond pledged to be there for Theresa and the baby. Later, Theresa
found that an old high school boyfriend was living with AIDS - suddenly
it was clear to her that her exposure occured while she had been with him.
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And then, Theresa and Raymond's baby, Joseph was born. The confirmation
of their greatest fears played out over the several tests that showed that
he was carrying HIV - their baby would live with AIDS. Raymond, too, waited
to see if he had been exposed to the virus through unprotected sex with
Theresa. |
For Theresa, this almost incomprehensible series of events reminded her
of all of the warnings she had heard over time - she so regretted that she
never felt that she would be one of the people for whom that information
was relevant. Life failed for this sad family. Still separated, Theresa
and Raymond seemed to drift away.
We haven't heard any more about this threesome for whom life's most precious
hopes were dashed. |
Back to The Loel Poor Exhibits
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