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I'm tired of being labeled a monster because of the general public being misled by the idea of aids/hiv being a lethal weapon. Because I went and got tested, being a positive human now, I've completely improved almost everything humanly possible about my life , no more one night stands, hard drugs,alcohol, the list goes on and on. When I have sex I use a condom nowdays. Its been way more a blessing than a curse. Its tough at times I admit, but overall I'm very satisfied and at peace with myself now . I may not have ever made it back without finding out for myself , if I was a positive or negative human . It is my experienced opinion that maybe if everyone out there having not been tested ,save their self and others by not being so misled by the aids/lethal weapon notion . That creates fear of finding out the truth of their std status ,thus not getting tested . That only destroys their immune system plus spreads it further to the others being misled . I know this because Im a victim like so many millions more out there . thank you for reading this .
I, too, have lived with HIV for over 20 years (at least 23), and over that time, there is less and less realistic education about sex, the facts of life, and especially the science behind HIV. For several years, sex ed has emphasized pledges of 'purity' and abstention, rather than facts, discussion, and problem-solving. HIV incidence has increased especially quickly in low-income and/or racially minority populations, most quickly now among women, and to devastating degrees in Subsaharan Africa, and now, India and southeast Asia. It is clear that poverty is a co-factor of actual illness caused by HIV transmission, and unfortunately in the United States, too many young people feel it's no big deal to play risky with what you do, since you can always pop more pills and keep going on like you always have done. Unlike what it seemed headed toward becoming in the late 80s, it's now clear the HIV/AIDS will not be spread worldwide, like flu during WWI. Now, it's not in the headlines any more, and unfortunately, because of that, it no longer gets the attention (or even research funding) that it once had. It's not something discussed enough at school, in the family at home, or in the popular media.
it's great that Obama mentioned AIDS, especially given his predecessors handling of the words & the situation in its entiriety. now if he'd put our tax dollars where his mouth is & quit decimating the already too-small budget, i'd be a bit happier with him. i was diagnosed 7 years ago as hiv positive & my first t'cell count was 25 - putting me at full-blown aids at the start. i'm blessed to have received the best in medical care since, on medicare/medicaid at that, but not everyone is also blessed.
As someone that's lived with HIV for over 20+ years I can say that the children not just of our country but of the world need to know the truth about HIV and AIDS. Perhaps they can't fathom the consequences of having unprotected sex producing babies and passing on diseases but through constant, well thought out dialog with our children will garner a greater understanding on both sides. We will learn how to communicate better with young minds and they will learn important and needed facts about what to expect if they are not playing by the rules and putting that information to good use. It's not about guilting them or using scare tactics, it's about educating them in a loving and nurturing way so they will be WILLING to absorb what's being presented to them.
Someone called me last night and said his sister is a teacher in Arizona, and there they had to bring consent slips from home to listen to the speech. Wonder if John McCain was behind that... Some idiots still think that Obama is a Muslim. In his inauguration speech, he made it clear that even folks with no religion at all are Americans. I did hear his 15-minute speech online through Care2. It was brief, relevant, and should have been inspiring, in a 'Bill Cosby' sort of way: Work hard, better yourself, then help the country. I didn't see any urging or directions for kid to become 'socialists', just to take school seriously now, and learn what they wanted to be and could do.
Hello, I didnt listen to Obamas' speech, but I was well aware of it because of the town that I live in of Bakersfield, CA, central valley of california, its unfortunate that there are still towns were discrimination of sorts is still the norm, this is a very christian orientated town that believes to keep it that why without citzens input for themselves and children, the entire school district here banned the Presidents speech and I had no idea why(I could only imagine)now that Ive read part of it I see why they banned it. Its a shame that there are cities that live in this state of religion strongarm.......Things will never change
Its great for a President Obama to talk about AID's, its a stepforward in our culture and our nation to know what HIV/AID's is. Toronto.
robin
I find these comments really inspirational. I find more and more people trying to make their lives positive while living with the disease. I think even if you don't have HIV/AIDS that these stories and comments are helpful. I am not HIV positive but I gain insight and inspiration from the information I read in this magazine. I want to be careful not to compare. I think all people face some kind of adversity in life and this magazine and all the people that share their stories are really important. I want to thank all the people for sharing their stories and opening my eyes. Many prayers to you all.
December 11, 2009