Turning 30 is a huge milestone birthday, at least, it was for most people I know. In the months leading up to my birthday I used the time to evaluate where I stood in my life. What were my accomplishments? What were my failures? As AIDS approaches its 30th birthday the people who fight the disease are asking the same questions.
While we've made significant advances against the disease, such as new medications and expanding access to treatment. HIV/AIDS is still a killer. AIDS has become the elephant in the middle of the room that no one wants to talk about. By allowing that to happen we've done a massive disservice to the early pioneers and AIDS advocates. Where modern day activists accept a promise of hope, maybe, 10 years from now the first generation of AIDS activists demanded action and answers. I m inclined to believe that the fight against HIV has willingly been placed on the back burner because our attitude has been influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.
In my opinion there is one large, unspoken truth that society has swept under the rug. While contracting HIV is not the immediate death sentence it was in the 80's and 90's. It is however, still a death sentence. Just because the medications prolong my life and help me from getting sick longer, doesn't mean that the complications from the illness will not eventually claim my life. Every 12 minutes someone in the world dies from AIDS related complications. Anti-retro virals are great. The medication Fuzeon literally saved me safe in 2006. They are my life line. However, the meds are expensive, require a strict adherence schedule and sometimes fail. I cant personally take any medicine in the NNRTI class or Isentress. This limits my fighting ability greatly. Eventually all medications lose their desired effective treatment ability. As with everything it's only a matter of time.
I am saddened, aggravated and non apologetic for my brutal honesty and no nonsense dialogue in the war against AIDS. I feel that as an activist I have the responsibility to not sugar coat or make light of this disease or its effects. I wish I could say that there is a magic pill or simple answer. There isn't. That's the reality. As we come closer to the 30th anniversary of the discovery of AIDS as we know it I would like to say its reign of terror is nearing end. That sadly isn't the reality. AIDS is a live and well. Together though we can ensure that AIDS doesn't have a 40th birthday. I know it's possible if we are open, honest, and look at HIV/AIDS as it really is. A cold blooded serial killer who needs to be wiped off the face of the Earth. After 30 years there is still no cure, no vaccine, and no end in sight.
Latest AIDS statistic:
0,000,000 CURED.
7 comments:
hi
I am following you and cannot agree more...there is not a single day when i dont wake up and pray for a cure...god bless you...there are very important people in my life who are fighting it..i really wish there is no 31st bday for this elephant!
It is true that this disease is not treated with kindness which is much needed and the medicinal aids were also little till lately there has been a change and growth in the pharma industry.
great blog. you are a deep guy, be also strong and hope, hope that things changes.
i do agree that much needs to be done especially in Africa where in as mush as governments have made ARVs available,they still do not consider the side effects posed by these drugs,or some of the stigma people go through as a result of the side effects caused by ART drugs.
its a shame that we still have these challenges 30 years later
well i just want to say that this disease is dreadful and i wish noone found this disease in themself. God bless them who is suffering from that horrible disease. Your blog is really touchable. Thanks for sharing us.
You're a great writer, and I know you've put good thoughts into writing this story
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