Good-bye, My Friend


Good-bye, My Friend

Being Alive; August 1996
Gary E. Costa

Patrick Edington first came to Being Alive as a favor to me. Being Alive had just re-designed its logo and needed someone to incorporate it into the letterhead, business cards, and other printed materials. Patrick had been a trusted friend for over five years and was owner of a growing graphic design firm in West Hollywood. He took on the task with much enthusiasm even though he was working on a project for LA Shanti at the time that was taking up much of his spare time. Patrick had tested positive five years earlier and had been recently hospitalized with PCP.

After successfully finishing his first volunteer assignment for Being Alive, he then joined the committee that was coordinating our efforts at Sunset Junction. By now Patrick was getting to know many of the other members of the organization and was developing a support network of friends who understood and accepted him.

Patrick was totally blown away by the Sunset Junction event. I remember working along side him in the back of the refrigerator truck as a line of volunteers hoisted up cases of soft drinks and frozen chicken to us as we arranged the supplies in the back of the truck. He was so moved by the image of men and women, of different color and ages, all working together on a single mission. He even sat down for a few minutes and wept at the sight. He had until this time not experienced the true beauty of Being Alive. He later shared with me that the Sunset Junction event was a turning point in his life as a volunteer. He soon ended his involvement with other organizations and dedicated all of his spare time to Being Alive.

He volunteered to design the graphics for the Spirit of Hope Awards Dinner. He came up with a logo and design that people still talk about to this day. He single-handedly designed the invitations, tribute journal, and other decorations. He was responsible for recruiting many of the financial contributors to the event including the Electric Bicycle Company which donated $10,000 and a $1,400 bike.

During this time my friendship with Patrick grew. He and I spent almost every day together, listening to music and watching movies. He took an interest in AIDS politics and activism, and we went to protests and medical updates together. His last protest was the Ronald Reagan birthday party at Chasens. Although he was losing his vision to CMV, he was thrilled to be able to see Nancy Reagan "flip us the bird."

Patrick joined the Being Alive Newsletter team, providing some much needed assistance in layout and design. He even opened up his home for several months as the location where the newsletter was produced, sharing his computer equipment and knowledge so unselfishly. As his involvement with the organization grew, his AIDS became more of a challenge and soon he was nearly blind. His cryptosporidiosis.html">cryptosporidium was out of control and he was losing weight fast.

He moved to Park LaBrea to be closer to me and Being Alive. We were inseparable neighbors, a 90s version of Lucy and Ethel at Park LaBrea. He was a perfectionist in his work and vowed that once his creativity was stifled by the disease, he would "check-out."

He developed a good relationship with his doctors and followed every treatment regimen they prescribed. He was losing ground to the disease, but was looking forward to the soon to be released protease inhibitors he had heard about through his doctor, Bisher Akil. He had set aside some cash he knew would be needed to pay for the drug, since it was not yet a part of ADAP or covered by his insurance. The protease inhibitors proved to be too little too late; he was hospitalized shortly after starting them. He quickly started to slip away as he fought to keep his dignity and quality of life.

Patrick passed away on July 5, surrounded by his mother Joy, another long-term friend, and me. I promised him that I would continue to work on gaining access to drugs like protease inhibitors so that they would be accessible to all. He had hoped to go to the conference in Vancouver, but this too was not to be. Patrick passed away a day before the Conference was to begin. He promised to be there in spirit and, believe me, I felt him the whole time. Being Alive lost a great volunteer, member and friend. Patrick will indeed be missed in the community; but his great work and creative designs will be a lasting reminder of his immense talent. I lost one of the best friends I ever had. Although I will always have my memories, I will miss this special man until the day I die. Good-bye, my friend.


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This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1996. AEGIS.