Talking HIV Testing

It's not the easiest subject for sure, but as HIV Testing Day approaches (June 27th) and more and more folks stop by Karuna to take part in the Healing Quest, the notion of sharing difficult or at least challenging stories seems to get eaiser. 

I've had three really interesting and insightful conversations over the past week with avatars who stopped by to see what the Quest was about: one about how her family's struggles with cancer has changed how she sees her body; another with a friend recently diagnosed as HIV positive; and a third that had nothing to do with health or HIV at all, but whose reflections on how he's been tested by life left me close to tears.  People are pretty darn amazing sometimes.

Hard on the heels of the posting of the third clue for the Healing Quest came an invitation to talk about HIV Testing Day with Paisley Beebe, a TV talk show host here in Second Life.  Much to my surprise I found that I had a lot I wanted to say about HIV Testing Day, but little of it had to do with the facts of the event, which can be easily obtained here: www.aids.gov.   What really interested me were the stories - the organizations and groups that are working to debunk the stigma associated with testing positive for HIV and the resulting reluctance to be tested. 

Anyone who spends any time with me knows that stories are my passion. To me they are the way in, touchstones to the essential spark or spirit that makes us each unique.  They are also the source of the Narrative Thread™ that allows us to create community and makes sense of our lives.  The news that organizations like The Southern AIDS LIving Quilt, AIDS.gov, the CDC, and The National Association of people Livnind With AIDS are collecting and sharing stories of those dealing with HIV/AIDS was exciting and empowering.  This is what I wanted to talk about - where I hoped the conversation would lead.  Why?  Because in the end it is the stories that matter - the narrative threads we weave and leave with one another that help us celebrate and learn from the lives that we've lost.

So I was a little disappointed tonight, but hopeful nevertheless. The conversation got started.  The notion of HIV Testing was broached, Karuna was introduced and our plans for building a strong, supportive and imaginative community put out to Second Life.  I hope that there will be more conversations like this - that Second Life residents will accept our offering of information, creative space, and engaging classses and help us make not only HIV Testing Day, but every day on Karuna a celebration of life.

To see our post on HIV Testing and Karuna in general, please visit the AIDS.gov blog at: http://blog.aids.gov/2009/06/i-know-i-took-the-test-stories-from-second-life.html

To learn more about what is happening on Karuna, see our web site: www.karunahiv.com

Some Hard Facts About HIV and AIDS

According to the CDC, someone is infected with HIV Every 9 ½ Minutes

There are currently 33 million people worldwide thought to be living with HIV/AIDS. Of these, only about three million people in the developing world have access to lifesaving antiretroviral AIDS medication.

In the US alone, one million people have been diagnosed with AIDS

Of the 1 million people who have HIV, 1 out of 5 doesn’t know he or she is infected.  This means the virus can be accidentally passed to others. 

A disproportionate # of African Americans are affected by HIV/AIDS. Forty-five percent of the new infections were among blacks/African Americans, 35% among whites, and 17% among Hispanics.

 

Although blacks/African Americans comprise only 12% of the US population, 45% of new HIV infections occurred in blacks/African Americans.

14,000 die of AIDS in US each year

Comments

[HIV testing]

HIV patients are increasing at an alariming rate. It has been found that, one in three HIV infected person in U.S is unaware about it and it is passing the disease on to others. Many don't get it checked because of expenses and other reasons. Everyone should get oneself checked after every three months for precaution.

[Sharon Vegoe]

Hi,

1 in 4 sexually active teenagers become infected with an STD every year, in the United States alone. Now, more than ever, we need to join together to fight this growing issue. As I read through your website, it is clear that you share the same passion for STD/STI awareness. We here, at Disease.com, understand the importance of STD/STI prevention and treatments. If you could, please list us as a resource or host our social book mark button, it would be much appreciated. We can not reach every teenager, but together we can try.
If you need more information please email me back with the subject line as your URL.

Thank you,
Sharon Vegoe
Disease.com

[thelewdangel.com]

HIV, IS VERY DANGER. I HOPE THE MEDICINE WILL BE FOUND

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HIV testing scares me so much pal