From the Editors

In the late 1980′s, Americans were hit with the outbreak of an incurable disease called Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS. In its early years, many people misunderstood AIDS.
Rather than publicizing factual information about AIDS to the public the media published stories about the personal lives of HIV-positive patients. As a result, many rumors and falsehoods developed about the cause, transmission and prevention of AIDS.
I first learned about AIDS in the late 80′s from Ryan White’s story. For those of you who do not know, Ryan White was perhaps the wold’s most famous 13 year old.
As a resident of Kokomo, Indiana, Ryan White was a prime example of a person who was rejected by his community because of his health condition.
According to the official Ryan White story, on Dec 26, 1984, Ryan was told that he had AIDS, which he contracted through a transfusion of tainted blood used in treating his hemophilia.
Because of his condition, he was one of many victims of discrimination. It was not until after his community learned of his disease that ignorance flourished and he received discrimination.
Children called him names, adults refused to shake hands and as a result of the hostile environment, officials prevented him from attending classes.
Because of his love for education, Ryan fought to continue school by pursuing his case in court, which he won against the school board. After a long struggle, Ryan and his family moved to another community where he was embraced with open arms.
Even after Ryan’s death, the story about his courageous battle with AIDS still continues to touch the lives of many people today.
The AIDS epidemic is something that we all must deal with until there is a cure. For now, for those of us who know someone who has AIDS or have lost someone because of the disease, it is important for us to continue to educate people about the facts.
Everyone must know that HIV/AIDS is an incurable disease that lives within bodily fluids and can not be contracted through physical contact.
You can not get AIDS through hugging, shaking hands or drinking after someone who has the virus. AIDS is not spread through insect bits or coughs, but through the exchange of bodily fluids through unprotected sexual intercourse or sharing needles.
Although some of you may already know this, it is important to continue to educate people about AIDS because of the Ryan White’s of this world.
Even today the fear of AIDS still lurks in the air and will never completely disappear until a cure is found for the disease. However, it is important to say that Ryan White played a major role in changing the way peoples think and act towards those stricken with AIDS.

Joffery A. Blair

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 15 2002. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry