Perceptions

I have a friend who when I told them I had HIV/AIDS she looked at me and said ‘everyone has it’.  This was in a very emotional time of my life.  I have since learned that people will react in different ways to the news of my having this disease.  I sometimes really want to see their expressions.  The reaction I receive will let me know if this is really someone who I want to spend any time with and just how much energy I want to exert into a relationship.

I remember one day, a friend of mine and I were driving to the store and talking.  I looked at him and said, ‘I have AIDS.’

His response was, ‘You don’t look like someone who has AIDS.’

‘What does someone with AIDS look like?’ was my response.  He couldn’t answer.  This is a well educated intelligent man who felt he did not have to educate himself about HIV/AIDS as he was in a long term relationship.  He has learned that even though you are both ‘monogamous’,  you never know.  He is still continuing to test and find out his status.  He tests about every 10 years or so but he is careful and in a committed relationship.  He is low risk.

The only way we can defeat this disease is by detaching the stigma from it.  This disease is NOT a gay disease, it is NOT a IV drug user disease.  HIV/AIDS is a non discriminatory disease that infects and affects almost everyone in the world.  Those of us who are living with HIV/AIDS are the ones infected with the virus.  Those of you who know us are the ones affected by the virus.  The only way we are going to overcome this plague is by education and shining some light on HIV/AIDS and letting people know they know someone who is infected.

This country allows ads for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) on t.v. but will NOT allow schools to teach whole health education.  The statement this makes to me is ‘It is ok to have an erection and have sex but just don’t talk about it and only when you are in a relationship.’  I was in a relationship when I got this disease.  I know women who were in faithful relationships with their unfaithful husbands who have gotten this.

Spread some light and put some faces on this disease.  Help educate people about HIV/AIDS.  This may be telling someone you are poz or it may be helping at the local HIV/AIDS organization.  Do what you think you can and what you have the energy to do.

Curtis

Tags: HIV/AIDS