So once again I was taking to my mom about HIV and how this class is making me always think about it. This week she told me about one of her friends that had died from AIDS. The strangest thing was that I knew this person too all growing up but my parents had never explained to me how he had passed away. He was around 40 and married with a little boy. But he also had a secret life. He was a bisexual man and also had a boyfriend on the side. He had contracted HIV from his secret boyfriend, which eventually turned to AIDS and took his life. He was very close with my parents and I remember them being very sad about it for a long time. I was only around 10 when he died so I wonder if that's why my parents never told me. It makes me wonder, what is a good age to tell children about HIV/AIDS and what it can do?
Also, there are so many different organizations that can help children with AIDS. I have been trying to post new organizations over the past few weeks but it is still amazing to me that there are so many people out there that want to help. This week I wanted to share the link for the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation. The foundation basically provides money for all different sorts of causes that can help these children. Some things that they provide money for include basic necessities, health therapies, social and recreational needs, and family recreational activities. http://www.caaf4kids.org/
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Wow is right, Sarah. Finding out about a close family friend who died of AIDS would be shocking since you grew up around this person and never had any idea of the circumstances. I think there are probably many more of us who have a distant relative or family friend who has HIV but we don't know.
ReplyDeleteThats very unfortunate, its scary to think that your life partner could potentially lead to your own infection of HIV. Its sad to think about how HIV spreads and takes the lives of people who think they are safe. People have to remember that their actions affect the lives of many others. You bring about a good question, when should children be told about HIV? I think they should be told as soon as you think they are able to understand.
ReplyDeleteI have not really researched organizations and kids with AIDS, but it is good to hear that some organizations are helping children out. I can only imagine how hard it must be for a child to have HIV/AIDS. So in reading your post it is great to hear that a lot of people want to help. Also, it seems as though in the near future that we will have a vaccine for HIV/AIDS. This of course is a good thing and hopefully in the future the number of children with HIV/AIDS with decline.
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