Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 29, 1990 TAG: 9005290314
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HEAD WATERS LENGTH: Medium
Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,author of "On Death and Dying," had hoped to open the clinic on her Highland County farm by July 8. Instead,she will open a facility to train health-care professionals and caregivers to deal with the terminally ill, she said.
Kubler-Ross said her proposed clinic for those with the fatal acquired immune deficiency syndrome has prompted criticism,and even violence. She said shots have been fired through her windows and she has been the target of other harassment.
Highland County officials said they haven't heard any reports of violence against her.
Kubler-Ross said critics of her proposed clinic did not want her "importing" AIDS into their rural mountain hamlet.
"Somebody led a petition drive and asked `do you want Kubler-Ross to import AIDS into Highland County?' Of course anybody is going to say no to a question worded like that," Kubler-Ross said.
Said Highland County Supervisor Marvin Eagle: "I don't think there is any problem right now, but if AIDS patients are brought in here there may be some resistance."
When asked if he was opposed to an AIDS clinic in Highland County, Ronald Malcolm,chairman of the Board of Supervisors,said,"Yes, I have a problem with it and I think the people here don't want AIDS brought into the area."
Kubler-Ross a Swiss citizen, graduated from the University of Zurich medical school in 1957. She and her husband moved to the United States the following year. After earning a degree in psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine,she began to counsel terminally ill people in Denver and Chicago.
Her 1969 book outlined five stages of dying - denial, anger, bargaining,depression and acceptance. The concept has gained acceptance at most hospitals and medical schools.
by CNB