Julio----living his Passion
吳淑貞
修女
Julio has passed from being HIV positive to terminal AIDS.
He was dying in the hospital when he celebrated his 22rd birthday. Because Julio
is homeless and gains only a bit shining shoes, his state of health is extremely
poor and AIDS was advancing through his frail body quite rapidly. A few days
before his birthday, although Julio was unable to focus his eyes, had trouble
speaking and was only able to move one arm he was able to make it very known to
us that he wanted a cake for his birthday!!! Buying the cake and writing “Happy
Birthday Julio” was so sad since we felt that he might die that same day and
money would be needed for his coffin. Julio had a different point of view. He
was absolutely thrilled with a cake and delighted to share it with other
patients in the hospital after everyone sang Happy Birthday to him.
At this time, the doctor wanted to try a different medicine on him. Because
Julio was unable to do so, we agreed to finance the cost of the treatment. The
treatment helped Julio regain his sight and speech. Julio is not able to return
to work shining shoes because he did not regain use of his arms. Through therapy
he can walk short distances on his own.
Julio is living his passion each day because he has AIDS, but there are people
who make his life a bit easier ......just like Simon of Cyren e helping Jesus to
carry his cross. With help like this, maybe Julio will live to celebrate his
23rd birthday complete with another much wanted cake!
朱立歐從後天免疫不全症候群陽性反應及愛滋末期走出來了。他在醫院慶祝他的二十二歲生日時正瀕臨死亡。因為朱立歐是一個流浪漢，靠替人擦鞋賺一點小錢。他的健康狀態極差，愛滋病毒快速地蔓延他整個衰弱的身體。雖然朱立歐的視線已經模糊、說話也不清楚、只能動他的一隻手臂，但是在他生日之前幾天，他還能清楚地讓我們了解，他想在生日時吃到生日蛋糕！買蛋糕、寫『朱立歐生日快樂』都是令人難過的事，因為我們以為他很可能在生日那天死去，那時就需要錢替他買棺木的。朱立歐卻有不同的看法。他看到蛋糕時雀躍不已。當每個人向他唱完生日快樂歌後，他高興地請醫院裡其他病人吃他的蛋糕。
那個時候，醫生想替他換另一種藥。朱立歐沒有能力負擔這種藥，我們答應替他支付。這個治療幫助朱立歐恢復視力，也會說話了。不過他沒法重操舊業替人家擦鞋子，因為他的雙臂仍不聽使喚。治療後，他倒可以自己走上幾步。
朱立歐每天背著他的十字架，因為他是愛滋患者。不過仍有一些人幫著他，讓他的日子稍微好過一點
---就好像基勒乃人西滿幫耶穌背十字架一樣。有了這樣的幫助，朱立歐可能繼續活下去，慶祝他的二十三歲生日，吃另一個他更想吃的蛋糕！?