Hi, Fabulous Ms. Catherine -- You wrote: > Have any of you worked with People living with AIDS and can give me > advice on things that might be of importance and that we might not think > of automatically?
I just saw Harrison and he let me know about your question (and you *know* how much I would like to be at this upcoming Open Space with you...and you also know I will be there in spirit...). I am thinking that others in our community here on OSLIST can add some thoughts - others who have worked with people who sometimes have health issues, sometimes feel great, sometimes feel not-so-good. The basics of the method of course are the same as always. And the things I mention below are things I do for every group. However... You might keep in mind that a lot of people in your room may be on medications that may make them feel hot, or tired, or uncomfortable. I do this in any Open Space, because there is always so much talking and movement, but even more than other times: be sure to have a lot of water available in the room to help people stay hydrated. I always tell the host to order twice as much water as they would normally do for a meeting, as people will drink more. When I talk about bumblebees and butterflies often I say that it is really about taking good care of yourself (and doing your best work because you are taking good care of yourself) - so when you use the Law of Two Feet for example it could be because you realize you are neither learning nor contributing -- it could also be because you need something to eat in order to stay present and focused, you need to take your medication, whatever: take good care of yourself. I also recommend that the host offers healthy foods with choices (because some people can and cannot eat certain things - in any situations, but particularly while on some medications). See? I looked at this little list and I see in it the things that are universal for any group I convene -- it is not specific to people with HIV and AIDS. In every single circle we convene, there are people sitting with us who are not feeling well, or are on medication, who are having a struggle, who are brave, who are fighting a battle, who are trusting in the unknown, or resisting some change, or embracing what is, or who are living each moment with great presence...we never know. There are so many stories in each person in any circle. So my idea (in Open Space and in life) is to take good care of everyone (and myself, and each other), at all times. Another thought: There is a three-pronged approach to treatment for HIV/AIDS: 1) anti-viral [drug combinations that make it hard for the virus to connect to our healthy cells, hard to insert its viral code into the healthy cell, and hard to make copies of itself once it has invaded a healthy cell]; 2) anti-opportunistic infections [medications that are given to someone when her/his t-cells are low -- to lessen the effects of the illnesses that can harm someone with a damaged immune system]; and 3) immune enhancement -- things [herbs, drugs, excercise, nutrition, mind-body-spirit work, acupuncture, body work and so on] that help your body do its very best in staying healthy, staying resilient and flexible, handling illness, and taking good care of itself. Here's the parallel I see: Open Space is like HIV treatment for the body / organism / organization / community: using Open Space regularly 1) makes it hard for toxic things to affect our emotional, physical, organizational and community wellness; 2) lessens the effect of challenging external or internal situations that can negatively affect our organization / community; and 3) helps our body / organization / community stay flexible, resilient, adaptable and doing its very best in taking good care of itself. I look forward to hearing what others may add as far as tips for working with people with life-challenging health issues. You will do such a beautiful job, Catherine -- because you will simply open the space and then ... breathe. Do let us all know how it goes, Lisa lisah...@openingspace.net * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist