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AIDS Walk Buffalo

Hoyt Lake at Delaware Park Saturday, May 5, 2018

As AIDS Walk approaches each year, we

the education tent to view the memorial quilt

always find ourselves reminiscing about past

panels that honor those who have died from

walks and sharing great memories. This year,

AIDS. The panels are an important way to help

as our planning team was brainstorming

raise awareness but they also should remind us

ideas, they had a “light bulb” moment. The

that those days are behind us and symbolize

notion of how far we’ve come since the first

just how far we’ve come. Thank you for coming

AIDS Walk, which took place 26 years ago, is

out to support this important event. Your

something we always talk about but this year it

passion and dedication is inspiring and we

made sense to bring this idea to the forefront.

couldn’t have come this far without all of you.

The theme “How Far We’ve Come” reminds us

The impact you’ve made throughout the years

to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable

is immeasurable and you have truly touched

progress we have made as an organization, in

the Western New York community in ways

medical advancements and therapies, and the

that will always be remembered.

compassionate, professional care we provide our patients every day. I encourage you to visit

Siobhan F S

iobhan “Shevy” Fitzgerald-Matson is their usual up-front self when asked about how they became involved with the Pride Center. “I attended a Transgender Health Initiative (THI) luncheon in 2011,” they recalled. “And I stalked the website until there was a job.” Shevy is the Pride Center’s THI Program Manager. They wear a variety of different hats during a typical workday. “I facilitate the TransGeneration support group, moderate the online support page, conduct outreach and trans-centric cultural competency trainings, arrange social events for the trans community such as TransGen Beach Day and a holiday pot-luck.” This is in addition to Shevy’s full schedule of forging community partnerships, policy work including the Buffalo Public Schools’ establishment of gender identity policy, and speaking engagements at the national level. We’re not done yet. Shevy also focuses on patient recruitment, co-facilitates the New Attitudes in Love and Sex (NAILS) group intervention and conducts individual-level prevention services through the 1:on:1 Goal Program or the Comprehensive Risk and Counseling Services (CRCS). This is a full schedule by anyone’s standards, and Shevy gets a great deal of satisfaction knowing their efforts are making a real difference for our THI patients. “Connecting trans people to the resources they need and deserve and helping them to self-advocate for their basic

Fitzgerald-Matson human rights is very rewarding for me,” Shevy said. “It’s great to watch someone go from dependent to self-sufficient. Seeing people move from a state of gender dysphoria to gender euphoria and pride.

Helping people become the most authentic versions of themselves.

Since the start of the grant I’ve seen the community begin to work collaboratively and share resources with each other. It’s a much more tightly-knit community than it was pre-THI.” Unfortunately there are challenges as well, but Shevy takes them in stride. “It can be a struggle dealing with a patient’s extremely dire crisis situation,” they said. “Many of our patients have or have had intense traumatic events in their lives. It can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout.” Top on Shevy’s list of annoyances? “Constant re-traumatization when I train ignorant people who don’t support trans people or think they deserve equal rights.”

“Shevy’s energy is so warm and inviting to every person they encounter,” said friend and co-worker Rachel Parrino. “I see scared, anxious patients transform into confident people with heads held high under Shevy’s care. From literally whistling while they work to genuine hugs and small gestures of caring, working next to them is a true joy.

They share their extensive knowledge with passion and patience to truly try to ensure affirmative treatment for the trans community. I

am honored not only to be their co-worker, but to be their friend.”

Shevy grew up in the tiny mountain town of Petersburgh, New York, about 40 minutes outside Albany. They attended Emma Willard High School. “Fun fact,” notes Shevy. “It was the first all-women’s seminary in America, established in 1813. It looks like Hogwarts.”

After graduation they went to St. Lawrence University for Sociology with a Gender and Sexuality Studies minor. “I spent a semester abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand in my senior year,” said Shevy. “And I will finish up grad school for Social Work in August.”

Education has clearly played a major role in their life. So has music.

Shevy is a gifted musician, singer and songwriter, and has performed at numerous Pride and Pride Center events, including singing the national anthem at Coca-Cola Field before the Buffalo Bisons game at Out at the Ballpark. “I grew up playing music in my mom’s celtic rock band,” said Shevy. “Currently I play in a band called Crystal Root with my husband and two friends. Our next shows are during the Infringement Festival.”

In their spare time (yeah, right) Shevy enjoys origami and has “mad hackeysack skills”. They describe themself as vegan. Feminist.

Genderqueer + soulsexual with they/them pronouns. We think Shevy is all that, and so much more.

Connections

See more photos of the clean up later in this issue!

The month of May commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States in 1843.

May also marks the anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 with the majority of its workers being Chinese immigrants. - Ekua Mends-Aidoo

Here’s a list of everyone who got a high-five between March 17 and April 16 >>

A Adam Costanza

A Dejuan Burnell

A Anabel Rivera

A Drew DiRienzo

A Andrea Ace

A Erin Pepicello

A Brittani McKay

A Gianna Puckett

A Charles Hunt

A Gregory Fulgham

A Christina Sheppard

A James DeGarmo

A Christina Turner

A Jamie Keuck

A Cord Stone

A Jeffrey Santiago

A DeAirra Burroughs-Moore

A Jessica Lehner

A Jessie Dorman A Joseph Lapi A Joseph Pignatora A Kaitlyn Gateley A Kandice Hood A Keisha Leavy A LaTanya Walton-Brown A Magali Maldonado A Maria Cruz A Mark Wolf A Mayerling Garofalo A Michael Blasdell A Michael Ludwick A Nakia Fears A Nancy Colon A Nicole Mitchell A Patrick Hildenbrandt A Quinn Lee A Richie Wills A Robert Smith A Rosemary Roche A Sashira Quintan A Sharee Harris A Suzanne Lowe A Theo Herman A Tiffany Valentin A Zenoma Muse

Birthdays Christina Radice................. May 2 Jerome Robinson................ May 3 Robert Smith...................... May 6 Luann Bogdan.................... May 7 Misty Wolff........................ May 9 James Konidis.................... May 9 Santos Martinez.................. May 10 Brittany Hesson.................. May 11 Rosalind Townsend............. May 13 Emma Fabian..................... May 13 Michael Blasdell................. May 14 Matthew Sydor................... May 16 Natalie Jackson................... May 17 Angela Torrie..................... May 17 Leonora Umuhoza.............. May 18 Kyle Botsford...................... May 20 Andrew Hartman................ May 21 Brittany Miller.................... May 24 Adria Reed......................... May 24 Kate Walker........................ May 24 Roosevelt Terry.................. May 25 Grant Rogers...................... May 27 Helene Cacciato................. May 31 Harry Berkoh-Asamoah...... May 31

Anniversaries Corrin Carey........................... 1 year Matthew Sydor........................ 1 year Brittany Hesson....................... 1 year Christine DeVoe....................... 1 year Lori Anthony........................... 1 year LaTanya Walton-Brown............ 2 years Ricardo Quiros........................ 2 years Elijah Jimerson........................ 2 years Kate Walker............................. 2 years Robert Baird............................ 3 years Thomas Fronczak.................... 4 years Jamie Keuck............................ 5 years Theresa Woehrel..................... 6 years Julie Vaughan.......................... 8 years Cornelia Meredith................... 12 years Theresa Shankland.................. 12 years Laurie Matson......................... 14 years

B

lood-borne pathogens (BBPs) are microorganisms in blood that can cause disease, like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV. BBPs can be spread by sharps injuries. Since many of the people we serve have, or are at risk for, these illnesses, it’s important for us to take appropriate preventive measures.

We can protect ourselves while providing compassionate care to our patients. Depending on where you work your exposure-control requirements will vary. Your supervisor can detail these for you. Here are some ways we can all protect ourselves: • Avoid contact with fluids that aren’t your own. If you’re unsure, wear gloves or other protective equipment.

• Don’t perform first aid on anyone other than yourself. Feel free to supply them with first aid materials for their own usage, but do not administer it to them.

• Never reach or step into a garbage can. Watch for debris or leaves that may hide discarded needles.

• If you come into contact with an unknown fluid, or are stuck by a needle, wash the area with hot, soapy water immediately. If your

eyes, nose or mouth are affected, flush continually with clean water.

Report to a supervisor or Primary & Specialty Care staff for a risk assessment and recommendations.

Sharps/needle injuries pose an increased risk of fluid contact. Here are some ways to mitigate that risk: • Make a plan for safe handling and transport before any procedure involving needles.

• Dispose of needles promptly in a designated bio-hazard sharps container that isn’t overfilled.

• Avoid passing sharps by hand.

• Keep any exposed sharp in view, and stop if you feel rushed or distracted.

These are just a few tips to follow. Check with your supervisor for Centerspecific protection methods. If you see anyone in a risky situation, or know how a situation could be improved, don’t be afraid to mention it.

Our goal is to create a safe campus for ourselves, and our patients, and we all play a part in that.

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