More “Voices from the Front Line” - Emerson Miller
We have created a new series called “Voices From the Front Line” for our blog and Update our newsletter. With these profiles we’re letting you hear from AIDS Action’s people who do the work every day that prevents new infections and who connect people living with HIV to care, support and services In this installment we check in with Emerson Miller AAC’s Peer Support Coordinator.
Emerson joined the staff of AIDS Action about 18 months ago. In his role of Peer Service Coordinator, he works alongside a dedicated team to support the long term health and well being of our clients. We spoke briefly about his work:
When someone is newly diagnosed and comes to AAC for support, do you find that they have a good deal of information about HIV/AIDS already or are they starting from square one?
You know it really varies; each person has a unique set of circumstances that brings them to seek our services – so it’s difficult to answer without acknowledging that. I will say though, I am seeing a higher number of people who are presenting sick. In other words, people seeking support for their new knowledge of their HIV status but at the same time, dealing with an immediate health issue as well. Facing a difficult health situation often makes the job of counseling more challenging, as the client usually has a more immediate need to get healthy. At the same time we also work with them to get them involved with the Peer Support programs.
