Patch Blog: World AIDS Day Awareness

Dec 1st is World Aids Day and this year’s theme is called “Getting to Zero.” Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths.

Backed by the United Nations the “Getting to Zero” campaign runs until 2015 and builds on last year’s successful World AIDS Day “Light for Rights” initiative, which encompasses a range of vital issues that affect key populations.

For those among us living with AIDS, December 1 is significant. It represents another year lived and a new year in which we can embrace life. It is also day dedicated to the remembrance of the victims who have died from this dreadful disease.

The first goal of World AIDS is to educate. Through education comes awareness and through awareness exist the possibility of Zero AIDS related deaths. AIDS is not exclusively a gay disease nor does it only infect drug users; AIDS infects and affects  men, women, children, heterosexuals and homosexuals and people who have never taken drugs. The reality is that AIDS affects us all.

I am infected with the AIDS virus and speaking from experience, I know that it is education that is imperative. In my ignorance, I wound up being diagnosed with full blown AIDS, something that could have been prevented had I taken the time to educate myself.

Oftentimes we deny that we too can become infected because we feel we are not a part of a specific lifestyle. This is a mistake. World AIDS day brings education and awareness to this disease so that we do not mistakenly or blindly choose an irreversible fate. Get educated.

Second, many people with HIV and AIDS are subjected to a great deal of rejection and discrimination. I have had my share of both. Life can be a tough road to travel. Add to the mix carrying HIV or AIDS and the road traveled is rough and can be desolate. I have known many people who have died alone because their family disowned them upon learning that they had contracted AIDS. Learn how HIV and AIDS are transmitted and contracted.

Lastly and most important, everyone should be tested for HIV and AIDS. I put off getting tested and in doing so I allowed my T-cell to drop to 140. I was irresponsible with my health and because of my choices, I was diagnosed with full blown AIDS.

Living with AIDS is not easy and my health is constantly on a roller coaster fluctuating between healthy to being sick and losing weight. Every three months I have 8 to 10 vials of blood drawn, I take HIV meds daily for the rest of my life, I am forced to stay away from crowds for fear of infection and live in fear about tomorrow.

It has been almost four years and gratefully, I am still alive. I relish every breath, every moment and count every day as a blessing. I am thankful for the fantastic medication that helps slow this disease and for a God who never let me go and who gives me the will to live. It was God’s ultimate wake up call.

I am also a living example of God’s mercy and grace. Always remember that we can mend our ways. I believe that God spared me so that I could be an example to others and spread the word  that life is precious, to choose wisely and to forgive.

A young man approached me and asked, “Brother Christopher, what does all this AIDS stuff have to do with me?"

I replied with a verse from a rap song, "Life is one big party when you're having fun, but whose going to have your back when it’s all done?"

Many live by the old saying, “Live for today and the hell with tomorrow."

"Well," I said, "I live for today in hopes of a tomorrow."

On this World AIDS Day, I urge everyone to educate yourself and to not be afraid of being tested.  I procrastinated and ended up being diagnosed with full blown AIDS. It was unnecessary but it is my cross to bear.

I will gracefully carry this cross until God tells me to lay it down. God Bless.