Testing the Human Spirit

A tape recording of Nancy Simon by photographer Brian Peterson and reporter Kimberly Hayes was used to create this RealAudio synchronized multimedia presentation, allowing you to view Peterson's photos via your Web browser while listening to Nancy talk about dealing with her illness.

The 17-minute presentation is self-playing and your browser will update automatically with the proper sequence of photographs. If you wish to exit the presentation before it ends you'll need to stop your RealAudio player.

The Simons of rural Veseli, Minn., discovered in 1989 that three family members had contracted the AIDS virus through a blood transfusion: Parents Doug and Nancy and their daughter, Candace. Candace died on June 29, 1993, three days shy of her 6th birthday. Torn apart by Candace's struggle, Doug and Nancy separated shortly after her death. Nancy got a small apartment, made new friends and continued to speak out about AIDS. But soon the disease began to attack Nancy's body. By the spring of 1996, she had endured lymphoma, pneumonia, blood transfusions, radiation, shingles, chronic diarrhea and nausea. Perhaps most devastating to her, she also went blind. But somehow, Nancy never lost faith in people and in her God. "I donít want my story to die with me," she said. "I want the world to know how it ends." Nancy believed that sharing her story with others might bring greater understanding and attention to the devastating impact of AIDS.