"I first met Cissy Ssuuna on Christmas Eve day in 2003. She came to the Bronx from Kampala, Uganda seeking medical care. I immediately knew that she was a remarkable woman. After her husband had died of AIDS in 1991, Cissy got tested and learned she was HIV+.
In 2001, she became extremely ill. Because of her small salary and the expense of paying the school fees for her 3 children, she could not afford the cost of HIV medications and assumed that she would die. She was given last rites on two occasions but she continued to fight. As she tried different combinations of medications to fight the AIDS virus she became even more ill but she never gave in. Over time, Cissy rallied and is now doing well.
She has worked as a nurse in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinic at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. The clinic is run by a multidisciplinary team of pediatricians, managers, counselors, nurses,home health workers, laboratory technicians, social workers, data teams and other support staff. Three satellite clinics in the suburbs and two in the upcountryside have been opened to decongest the main clinic in Kampala. This has helped to keep the number of children receiving active care and follow up at about 4200. There are also partners who are helping to take these services to the people.
Cissy just completed a course in adolescent counseling and psychotherapy. She is now leading the counseling department as a nurse counselor, focusing on social issues of the children and the community as it relates to drug adherence. This has enabled Cissy to get to know the children in much greater depth. Especially in what goes on in their everyday life and the challenges that they are facing. Cissy has lectured to woman’s groups all over the world on the importance of being tested and treated for HIV. She testified to the US Congress at the hearings held in Washington DC on AIDS in Africa. Her dedication, her compassion and her commitment are easily felt. It is for these qualities that we decided that funds from the sale of Milton’s Moment should be used to support the programs to help the many children of Kampala that she loves and cares for. So far, we have only been able to assist Cissy in her efforts in a small way. Your purchase of Milton's Moment will allow us to expand our efforts.
I truly consider it an extreme privilege to call Cissy my friend and an honor to be able to assist her and her colleagues in their efforts to lessen the suffering of others."
Dr. Jeffrey Gilbert MD 2006
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