Hope Center

established to address the unmet needs of patients & families

affected by HIV in Knox & surrounding counties

Mom's Group

I Am Called Mother

I know you.

I have known you from the beginning.

I knew you long before the world

smiled on your face,

before gloved hands

lifted you, raised you by your ankles

and encouraged life.

Before the stark bright lights

in your new sterile environment

caused your face to wrinkle,

your mouth to pucker,

your eyes to squint and cry.

I have known you from the beginning

when you were cradled

in a warm liquid-filled cocoon

inside my body,

before your hands and feet

had fingers and toes,

before your face developed its ears and nose.

Before you were male or female

I knew you.

I knew you when your small muscles

first started to contract,

when you first kicked and turned

and thrashed about.

As a melon grows

at the end of a vine,

the umbilicus tethered you to me

 and provided you nourishment

from me.

I knew then you would grow

and become as large as myself.

And I also knew

that if for some reason

 I would not be able to keep you,

to hold you and watch you grow,

I would always love you.

You came to this world through me

 and live as a part of me--

I am called Mother.

Vernon Lee Gillian

©1995 (used with permission)

Our Beginning:

A small group of mothers in the community began “Mom's Group” in July 1995 for the purpose of addressing the unique experiences and needs of mothers  involved with caregiving or who have lost children to the AIDS epidemic. Mom's Group was originally formed by Jeannie Gillian, Ph.D. in HIV, who also lost a son to AIDS.

The volunteer mothers continue to be a constant source of support for each other and for families who are learning about HIV and how to care for their loved ones. They communicate with each other on an “as-needed-basis” through social gatherings, telephone calls, or written correspondence. The Hope Center sponsors Mom's Group at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville.

If you are interested in support activities, need more information or would like to be on the mailing list, please call 865-541-3767, e-mail hope_center@covhlth.com, or write: Hope Center, 1901 Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916.
 

 ©Copyright 2012 Hope Center    All Rights Reserved  Hope Center - 1901 W. Clinch Avenue - Knoxville, TN 37916