Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. ~Dr. Seuss
History will judge us on how we respond to the AIDS emergency in Africa … whether we stood around with watering cans and watched while a whole continent burst into flames … or not.
~Bono
i have a friend suffering from this and it sure is a whole different issue entirely. taking action is seeing how those inflicted could easily be one of those people you love personally, and then how we act around people in general changes, we become less judgemental, we live more in the moment, we cultivate a sense of gratitude. i think that people who face life’s bigger challenges have a bigger capacity to love and accept – we can learn from them and we can give back by doing the same. 🙂
Ciao Kat. Thank you for your input. Watching someone you love die of any disease is a difficult thing go through. My husband lost his brother 20years ago to AIDS, and 20yrs ago on this island AIDS was not talked about, there was no education, no help, nothing. The brother and other AIDS patients (at that time) where sectioned off in the hospital, generally there were no visitors and even the doctors and nurses were terrified, and most times didn’t know what to do. Seven months after the passing of the brother, the brothers wife died of AIDS. This global issue sits tightly at the core of my families hearts.
sorry to hear about the death of your husband’s brother and his wife… yes its not widely talked about here either but at least EU is less harsh on AIDS victims than many other parts of the world – today, I mean. In the Philippines where I am from, the situation isn’t so good either.. my friend, at least, can benefit from the improvements in medicine and in living a healthier and more fit lifestyle.
Great post. This epidemic is clearing whole villages in Africa ;-(
I just read on article and will quote a passage from it:
“So it’s difficult, maybe impossible, to narrow the African AIDS crisis down to a single root cause. … critics warn that, by focusing on managing HIV’s spread rather than stopping it outright, the world would be giving up on the bigger mission of stamping out AIDS altogether.” http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/12/the-story-of-aids-in-africa/249361/
Thanks for the link @timethief. Was a great article. I believe that more prevention needs to take place in order to stamp out AIDS altogether. It certainly doesn’t help that the Pope is against condom use, someone give his head a shake. In 2011 it’s terrifying that a world leader could be so misguided about the spread of AIDS. AIDS is not just a problem in Africa, it’s a global problem that I believe needs to be talked about from early on, in the home. Parents, educate your teens about safe sex, talk to them about condom use and sexually transmitted diseases. AIDS will not go away unless we begin with discussion and education.
It wasn’t just the Pope, Jenn. Bush went to Africa and the aid the USA provided was contingent on the African countries teaching abstinence as the best prevention. Totally ridiculous requirement in the USA, let alone in African society.
Ignorance never helps anything.
I am sorry to hear of the death of your brother-in-law and his wife, too. Very sad days.
Funny you quoted Dr Seuss today – on Sat we are seeing the Seussical in TO with friends Malcolm and Heather and children. And our children, of course. And they’ve asked us to stay behind to create a Youtube educational video – watch for it Jen!
The Lorax was one of my son’s favourite books when he was little. I can still quote the whole book. This line is excellent. We could start in Africa by keeping the Pope and his ridiculous comments out of Africa.
My Sardinian Life 
A great reminder.
i have a friend suffering from this and it sure is a whole different issue entirely. taking action is seeing how those inflicted could easily be one of those people you love personally, and then how we act around people in general changes, we become less judgemental, we live more in the moment, we cultivate a sense of gratitude. i think that people who face life’s bigger challenges have a bigger capacity to love and accept – we can learn from them and we can give back by doing the same. 🙂
Ciao Kat. Thank you for your input. Watching someone you love die of any disease is a difficult thing go through. My husband lost his brother 20years ago to AIDS, and 20yrs ago on this island AIDS was not talked about, there was no education, no help, nothing. The brother and other AIDS patients (at that time) where sectioned off in the hospital, generally there were no visitors and even the doctors and nurses were terrified, and most times didn’t know what to do. Seven months after the passing of the brother, the brothers wife died of AIDS. This global issue sits tightly at the core of my families hearts.
sorry to hear about the death of your husband’s brother and his wife… yes its not widely talked about here either but at least EU is less harsh on AIDS victims than many other parts of the world – today, I mean. In the Philippines where I am from, the situation isn’t so good either.. my friend, at least, can benefit from the improvements in medicine and in living a healthier and more fit lifestyle.
Great post. This epidemic is clearing whole villages in Africa ;-(
I just read on article and will quote a passage from it:
“So it’s difficult, maybe impossible, to narrow the African AIDS crisis down to a single root cause. … critics warn that, by focusing on managing HIV’s spread rather than stopping it outright, the world would be giving up on the bigger mission of stamping out AIDS altogether.” http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/12/the-story-of-aids-in-africa/249361/
Thanks for the link @timethief. Was a great article. I believe that more prevention needs to take place in order to stamp out AIDS altogether. It certainly doesn’t help that the Pope is against condom use, someone give his head a shake. In 2011 it’s terrifying that a world leader could be so misguided about the spread of AIDS. AIDS is not just a problem in Africa, it’s a global problem that I believe needs to be talked about from early on, in the home. Parents, educate your teens about safe sex, talk to them about condom use and sexually transmitted diseases. AIDS will not go away unless we begin with discussion and education.
It wasn’t just the Pope, Jenn. Bush went to Africa and the aid the USA provided was contingent on the African countries teaching abstinence as the best prevention. Totally ridiculous requirement in the USA, let alone in African society.
Ignorance never helps anything.
I am sorry to hear of the death of your brother-in-law and his wife, too. Very sad days.
Funny you quoted Dr Seuss today – on Sat we are seeing the Seussical in TO with friends Malcolm and Heather and children. And our children, of course. And they’ve asked us to stay behind to create a Youtube educational video – watch for it Jen!
Send me the link when it’s up and running.
I missed debra’s comment and she is right, the pope and the catholic church are doing more damage than anyone else.
A few top people are trying to help and lots of the ” common ” people are doing their bit.
But when the people in those countries wil not help themselves with protection, it will never end.
The Lorax was one of my son’s favourite books when he was little. I can still quote the whole book. This line is excellent. We could start in Africa by keeping the Pope and his ridiculous comments out of Africa.
Thanks for sharing Debra. That is an excellent line!
What a great pair of quotes to share, Jennifer! Nicely done.
Ditto from me!