Guardian readers have not forgotten Oscar Moore’s Person With Aids column
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Version 0 of 1. Elisabeth Moore mustn’t think that Guardian readers have forgotten her son Oscar (Letters, 23 April). I read his articles, which he wrote at a time when friends, and friends of friends, were going through the same horrors. He made me laugh and cry, and his courage in writing about what he was going through was sometimes quite overwhelming. I bought the book and read it all again, and I still use extracts from it when I teach about vision loss and what it does to people, about the fear and the darkness. He’s still read, and he’s known through his writing by groups of nurses who aren’t old enough to remember those times otherwise. He’s still educating, still admired and still remembered.Janet MarsdenProfessor of ophthalmology and emergency care, Manchester Metropolitan University • I would like to let Elisabeth Moore know that the first person I thought of on reading Suzanne Moore’s article about Aids was her son Oscar. I only knew him from his PWA (Person With Aids) column, yet over the past 20 years he has been the person I think about when reading about medical advances in treating people with HIV and Aids. Oscar’s weekly unflinching coverage of his illnesses and suffering, including that of losing his sight, touched me so deeply that on hearing of the remarkable change in circumstances of people now living healthy lives with HIV I think of him and so wish it had come in time for him, and so many others. This Guardian reader has not forgotten him either.Janet PontinGlasgow • As a long-time Guardian reader, I remember with great admiration Oscar Moore’s PWA articles. When I saw Suzanne Moore’s article on the loss of artists to Aids, I was surprised there was no mention of him. I was tempted to write a letter about this obvious omission, but did not. I am pleased that his mother has highlighted his contribution and loss.Terry VincentCalahonda, Spain • Can I assure Elisabeth Moore that I can remember Oscar’s articles with a great deal of pleasure and sadness. His humour and courage are still firmly lodged in my memory. Though I do have to say I inadvertently remembered PWA to be Positive With Attitude. Thank you, Elisabeth, for a beautiful young man who is still in many of our hearts.Emma ProcterChesterfield, Derbyshire I remember your son and his vivid fearless column, Elisabeth Moore. Thank you for reminding me. I had just given birth in March 1994. I’m sure your son is remembered by more than you know, for his courage in sharing his story with those of us not fortunate enough to have known him as you did. Thank you again on all sorts of levels. Shelagh Scott Tynemouth • I remember Oscar, Elisabeth – with gratitude for his honesty, and his gift for opening the eyes and ears and hearts of his readers through his PWA column. May he rest in peace – and, if it’s not presumptuous, my love to you.Pat Lyes WilsdonThornbury, Gloucestershire • I’m old enough to remember your son, Elisabeth Moore. He was a brilliant writer, whose decency and humanity were clear in his work. The fact that his mother is still around to mourn him is cruelly symbolic of the toll of the “big disease with the little name”. I hope you can take some comfort from the fact that he is still vividly remembered.Chris CoatesColchester • I read Oscar’s column in the 90s and cried when he signed off for the last time. I cried again on news of his death. His paperback, PWA: Looking Aids in the Face, is one of the most inspiring books I have on my bookshelf. Take heart, Mrs Moore, I remember Oscar and often donate to an Aids charity as I was inspired by the writings of your son.Phillippa ScottBollington, Cheshire • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |