We just had a chapel on HIV/AIDS. I am not going to claim that I am an activist or anything but I do wonder why more people don't pay closer attention to this disease. We had a speaker who was infected with HIV/AIDS something like 20 years ago and he made a point that really sticks with me. HIV/AIDS isn't like Cancer, or Diabetes or any of those diseases. Sure they are all illnesses that take the lives of millions of people world wide every year, but HIV/AIDS is different. Ya it takes lives. Did you know that in 2006 alone (and remember that we still have a good month to go before they year is over) there have been more than 6 million people who have died from this virus. 6 ooo ooo ooo. Do you realize how huge that number is?
And do you ever think about the ripple effect from the deaths of all these people? Most people living with HIV/AIDS are women and children. They are helpless in having it because the children get it from birth, and the wives are often left with the choice to be replaced by another woman or to have sex with their husband even though he is infected. They are completely innocent. And many of the people infected are living in poverty. The people who most need help and assitance in this world and they are left to fend for them selves with a disease that even we can't control in North America with all of our technology and medical advances. Its disgusting.
As each person dies as a result from HIV/AIDS they leave others behind. Dying mothers leave their children, orphaned and alone in a cruel world. Communities have to care for those who are sick and for those who are left behind. The loss of each person is tremendous to their families, to their communities, to thier countries, and to the world.
I know one person can't change the world. But I do know that one person can try to help raise awareness. If you get the chance ever, watch the movie "A Closer Walk". It is narrated by Glenn Close (of Cruella deVil fame) and Will Smith. It is a movie on HIV/AIDS and its entire purpose is to raise awareness. I know that it is a documentary and most people don't like documentaries, well neither do I. But this one is so powerful and teaches you so much about HIV/AIDS. (If you are interested, I believe Kings is showing it Friday sometime... it might be during the day but if anyone wants me to find out, let me know)
So I guess I just plea that people be aware. That we know what is going on. That we come to the relization that this disease is completely preventable and shouldn t be ravaging our world like it is...
ps. if you want stats from that movie, let me know. I ve got tons of them.
1 comment:
it is interesting because HIV/AIDS is such a big deal. Just because its happening in Africa doesn't mean its out of our control or out of reach. We all live in the same world, we need to take care of the people in it you know. God made those people too, we aren't more special than they are. Good point to bring up Laura.
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