Say What??- Blog #12

Another week down! I’m stoked. It’s time for a little break. On that note, my truck won’t start. I think it’s just the battery, I hope so anyway. I had a personal learning experience during Module 8. I had the pleasure (and yes I say pleasure with sarcasm) of dealing with the stigma of being HIV positive from my own aunt. On the first day we had to carry the egg around I ran into my aunt at the store and she saw the egg. And before I could get a word out she said (excuse the language), “What the hell is that?” and took a step back. My own aunt who I saw the week before that would not come near me. I explained to her that it was for a class assignment for this course and she gave me a funny look and said “Why are you wasting your time with learning about HIV, when all you need to know is to keep your legs closed and you won’t catch it.”   This shocked me. And keep in mind that the entire time we were talking; she still wouldn’t come near me.

Long story short, this made me think about myself and what I thought before I took this class. And before I started this class, I always associated HIV with people sleeping around and that was it. I will admit that I was ignorant. I didn’t know a lot about HIV disease hence why I decided it would be a good idea to take this class, to educate myself and help pass that along to others. I can honestly say that I was wrong in thinking that everyone who contracted HIV was sleeping around with lot of people. The truth is, it only takes one time, one choice, one mistake and you have it. That is something that I will always keep in the back of my mind. I have realized that I also thought ignorantly when it came to this disease.

Did You Know??

This is huge!! There were two kidney transplants from one HIV positive donor. The transplants was successful. It was the first transplant ever involving two HIV positive people.  The transplants took place in Cape Town. There was a single donor who was HIV positive and two men received the kidneys. The operations were not made public until the surgeons were confident that the transplants were successful! (Beresford, 2008)

According to Doctor Elmi Muller, the surgeon who did the transplants, "HIV patients are at a disadvantage when it comes to getting an organ and dialysis. Even when we try to be fair, they are at a disadvantage competing with people with no chronic illness," she said. "This study opens up an opportunity to help them, even gives them a slight advantage, because of the high number of HIV-positive donors." (Beresford, 2008) This is a great step forward.

Source: Beresford, B. (2008, October 25). South africa pioneers hiv-positive transplants. Retrieved April 11, 2011 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/25/aids-south-africa-hiv-barnard.

 I found this video. I think it sums it all up and puts it in perspective.

Nelson Mandela -Blog #11

      Only three weeks left till this semester is over. Loose ends are being tied up really fast, which I can't complain. I'm one step closer goal. I went to the Men's Panel today, it was very interesting; it was an experience to say the least. I wasn't expecting to laugh, but I did. All the men who were there had really good personalities and were very open and honest to the questions they were asked. Granted I didn't ask any questions, I mainly was taking it all in. I honestly wish I would have been able to take the time off from work to attend the Women's Panel.

                                                           Did You Know??                                                                        

     In 2005 Nelson Mandela's oldest son died from AIDS (HIV disease). His son was 54. After his son passed, he urged other families who suffer from AIDS (HIV disease) to speak out and educate others about this disease. I was shocked when I read this because during Mandela's presidency, he barely spoke about AIDS (HIV disease). He acted like it wasn't an issue. I think his son dying was a real eye opener for him because it personally affected him; he could not ignore his son's death. When certain situations hit you personally, you tend to have a change of heart. Mandlea tries to educate South Africans about AIDS (HIV disease) and really encourages HIV testing. (Timberg, 2005)


Source: Timberg, C. (2005, January 7). Mandela says aids led to death of son. Retrieved  April 3, 2011 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles             /A52781-2005Jan6.html.

 

I also found this video that goes along with the article. 

Do Something- Blog #10

       Another week gone. Another paper done. And another life lost. I found out Monday night that a good friend of mine, Jeff, died in a car accident. No one else was involved. He over corrected on a wet road and lost control when he returned to South Carolina. Jeff was 25. So young. This was shocking news. I still can't believe he's gone. My friends in I decided since we could not go to SC for the funeral, that we are all going to the beach tomorrow night and light candles and release balloons to say goodbye to him. he would like that. Rest in peace Jeff.  

      I watched Sliverlake Life and I must say, it was a real eye opener. Out of everything we  have done throughout this semester, that movie had the most impact on me. Teach, I'm sure this is why you had us watch it. As I'm sure it has done for years to other students, it made me cry as well as show me what it's like to have AIDS. For those of you who have not seen it, I strongly suggest you watch it.





      I have always been the short, simple, and to the point kind of person. I have found this website entitled "Do Something". There is a section called 11 facts about HIV in Africa. I think this is a great website to visit if you want quick, bam to the point facts about HIV in Africa.

                                       Did You Know??                                 

     There are 33 million people worldwide infected with HIV/AIDS. 27 million of those infected are living in Africa. Out of those 27 million people, 5 million are residing in South Africa. To break it down a little more, that is one out of five people who are infected with HIV. That is just in the adult population alone. There is an estimation of  children under the age of 15 that are infected with HIV; that estimation is between 180,000 and 280,000.("11 facts about," 2011) How is that for short, simple and to the point?

 

 I added this picture even though it is from 2007, so that you have an Idea about how many people who are infected with HIV/AIDS.

Source:11 facts about hiv in africa. (2011). Retrieved March 30, 2011 from http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-hiv-africa.

 

Blog #9- Looking Ahead

        Well another week down! I must admit this class has a challenge. Haha. I have never looked at my agenda so much in one day. I'm averaging five to seven times daily. A little excessive I will admit, however I have been mixing up my due dates so I have to do what i have to do. And all reality this class has been the only class in my school career to keep me on my toes. So it is a good thing.

        Apart from my friend being in town and taking time off work I have to deal with allergies. I'm a Florida native and I've never had allergies until about two years ago. The villain that is to blame for my allergies is yellow pollen. My head feels like it is going to explode.






                                 Did You Know??                                         

Everyone knows that South Africa is leader of the worldwide battle against AIDS due to the fact that they have extremely high numbers of people who are infected with HIV. For years the South African government has done nothing about it. They even went as far as claiming that the situation was not that bad. However in recent years, there had been a change in their views. They have finally admitted their is a problem and they are figuring out ways to fix it. It started in 2004, a new administration came in and the old went out. The new administration has produced more policies and programs for those who have contracted HIV. These policies and programs include early treatment of pregnant women as well as children who are infected and people who are infected with HIV and TB. Thankfully there has been an increase in funds to help support these programs. Not only is there more funds but their are newer guidelines for patients to meet to receive more aid. According to the article, the AIDA epidemic seems to have stabilized. To me, that is a total win! However there are still major challenges that have to be tackled, but once again as I said before it is a step in the right direction! (Navario, 2010)










Source: Navario, P. (2010, February 22). Hiv/aids in south africa: improved prognosis. Retrieved March 23, 2011 from http://www.cfr.org/foreign-aid/hivaids-south-africa-improved-prognosis/p21492.

Blog #8- Welcome Back!

Well back from spring break. However I will admit I did not party at all or lay in the sun. I worked and did school work. Fun! Well actually it’s true. I’m gaining experience of what it feels like to have HIV. It’s very interesting. I also went and got tested for module 3. That was definitely an experience. But I will say no more on that subject because I do not want to spoil it for those of you who have not went yet.  

On another good note, I am super excited that my best guy friend, Josh, is coming into town this weekend for a week! I haven’t seen him in a couple of months and he’s going through a rough patch so this mini vacation will be good for him and me! I can’t wait, that is also another reason why I’ve tried to get ahead in both classes so I can see him. I think it’s a fair trade don’t go out during spring break and work ahead so that I can go out and see him. Total win!!!

Enough chit chat on to what I found. This news brings a smile to my face. Granted it’s not a 100% change, but it is a working progress. I found this article entitled “Drugs Have Helped To Reduce AIDS Deaths in South Africa”. 

Did You Know?

Last year around 5.5 million South Africans were HIV positive; that’s about 10.9% of the population (Sreeraman, 2011). In my opinion, that is 5.5 million people too many. But don’t be sad because recent studies have shown that there was a close to 25% decrease in death due to AIDS  (Sreeraman, 2011). What the cause of this decrease? The growing expansion of South Africa’s anti-retroviral programme is the cause! I for one am thrilled to hear that these anti-retroviral drugs are working. I mean think about it… Right now it is only 25% but 10 years from now it could be 50 % or even 75%. The main point is that this programme is working!  

Source: Sreeraman, VR. (2011, March 12). Drugs have helped to reduce aids deaths in south africa. Retrieved from http://medindia.net/news/Drugs-Has-Helped-To-Reduce-AIDS-Deaths-in-South-Africa-82100-1.htm

Blog #7 Article.

       Well this week has been one of those weeks. My best friend's father pasted away on Monday. Him and his father weren't close. This brings back painful memories of my father and I. I lost my dad almost a year and a half ago. I didn't see him a week before he passed. So far I've dealt with it really well. Out me, my mother and sister, I've coped the best. However when I found out what happened to Josh and his father, it brought back the pain, emptiness, and anger I felt towards my dad. Lucky for Josh he decided to go see his dad the day before he passed away. He is a strong man and I know he'll get through this and he knows I'll be there for him. There's just one issue, Josh is the type that will run away for along time before he decides to face this head on. It concerns me. But how do I help someone who runs away and now live in a different state? Normally i good with this sort of thing, however he is not just a hop, skip, and a jump away. And he can easily ignore my phone calls. Oh boy.

     On a brighter more productive note, I have decided to get a super head start on both this class and my substance abuse class. I can honestly admit I have let other, more personal things in my life take over and I have lost sight of my goal to be a great social worker. I'm trying to get that back now. I know it is not too late. I have to get my butt in gear because just getting along is not cutting it with me. So I've chosen the smarter path and getting a much needed jump start and it feels good.

Did You Know?

     I found an article that deals with HIV testing in schools. It seems that schools in South Africa face the same issues as we do. They are worried about the students know status' as a breeding ground for the stigma of HIV and AIDS as well as discrimination (Bodibe, 2011 ). The goal is for there to be HIV testing as well as counseling in schools, but like there is in every situation, some people disagree. instead of looking at the bigger and better picture, they are concerned with what people think. I feel that their views and opinions of people should be set aside and the health or these kids is what's most important. The whole reason for the counseling and testing is to "prevent new HIV infection in young people" (Bodibe, 2011 ). Call me crazy, but that sounds like a great idea to me. If you disagree, please tell me, I am interested to know why. I mean I understand that they don't want the kids to do with the taunts of having to live with HIV and AIDS. But what is better acting on the situation for a better tomorrow or leave it alone and it going on unnoticed?

This is a video that I found very powerful. It is only 33 seconds long, but it will have a huge impact on you. It doesn't relate to the article, but it's message is still there.

Source; Bodibe, K. (2011 , February 24). Scepticism over hiv testing in schools - living with aids. Retrieved March 1, 2011 from http://allafrica.com/stories/201102250005.html.