This week I am thinking a lot about the question of the week. My sister, mom and grandmother are the people that I questioned for the assignment. I knew they would all tell me that they would take care of me and help me in whichever way I needed. But I can only wonder what would really happen if when I got my results back, and they were positive. It is not something that I can hide from my mom and sister; I am going to need all of the help I can get from my family, but I can only wonder what is really going on their minds. My sister had said she would still be part of my life, she would go to the movies with me and beach, do our everyday activities but she would not share anything with me i.e. drinks. But I know my sister, I wonder if she would even treat me the same. I also asked her, what if we were in a car accident and both of us were bleeding, my injuries were a little more severe then hers, would she hesitate to help me? Unfortunately, my sister said she would not help me but she did have a smile on her face. I know my grandmother would help me, but there is only so much she could do herself. But she has known a couple of people that have died because of the virus. I know without a doubt that my mom would be there for me. All of this just makes me wonder…
DID YOU KNOW…
According to HIV/AIDS and Children
“ It can be argued that every child growing up in an area with high HIV prevalence is affected by the epidemic regardless of whether they, or a close family member, are infected.
HIV can damage a child’s life in three main ways: through its effects directly on the child, on that child’s family, and on the community that the child is growing up in.
The direct effects of HIV on children
Many children are themselves infected with HIV
The effects of HIV on a child’s family
Children live with family members who are infected with HIV.
Children act as carers for sick parents who have AIDS.
Many children have lost one or both parents to AIDS, and are orphaned.
An increasing number of households are headed by children, as AIDS erodes traditional community support systems.
Children end up being their family’s principal wage earners, as AIDS prevents adults from working, and creates expensive medical bills.
The effects of HIV on a child’s community
As AIDS ravages a community, schools lose teachers and children are unable to access education. Doctors and nurses die, and children find it difficult to gain care for childhood diseases.
Children may lose their friends to AIDS.
Children who have HIV in their family may be stigmatized and affected by discrimination (berry,2009)".
Berry, S(July 28, 2009). HIV/AIDS and children. In Avert. Retrieved September 21,2009 from
http://www.avert.org/children.htm
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I did a lot of thinking about how my sister would treat me if I got HIV too. If I even have a little cough she freaks out if I lay on her bed and she won't eat with a fork that I touched. If she acts that way over a little cold I think she would jump off the deep end if I had HIV. She would probably not even want to be in the same house as me.
ReplyDeleteYour facts about children and HIV were sad. I feel bad for children who have to care for their dying parents. I think it forces children to grow up too fast and they can't have a happy, care-free childhood like most children.
Nice blog, Kellie. You can only hope that your family will be there for you in times of need. You won't know till something happens how they will jump. Let's just hope it is exactly as you want it to be.
ReplyDeleteGood Did You Know. Those facts are all to real for African children.
Hi Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI too wonder what in reality family members would do or say in the case of a positive result. Hopefully, you will never have to find out the answer. With all of the new treatments that exist, there is a longevity to this disease in comparison to the first cases many years ago. Its sad what is happening to our children because so many of them are left "holding the bag" or in better terms holding the hands of their parents and friends, which puts them into an adult role, way too soon. this is a commonality that unfortunately, is a reality to way too many children with ailing parents. Thank you for bringing the attention to the little ones who are affected by this terrible disease.
It is so sad for the children who are affected by HIV directly or indirectly. After reading about what your sister said, I decided to talk to my sister and find out what she would do in that situation. She told me that she would still love me the same but she would not share her clothes or pretty much anything with me. But she would be there for me to give me support.These kids that lose their family, friends, teachers, doctors must go through so much pain and suffering.
ReplyDeleteKellie I also have a sister I am very close with and can only hope she wouldn't treat me different, if I became HIV positive. It is bad enough for some people to find out they have a deadly illness, but to also lose the family the support from the family they love.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to see the facts on children and HIV, they cannot control where they grow up or who their parents are. I could imagine it would be hard growing up taking care of your caretaker.
Your blog this week makes me wonder how people would really react in situations. I noticed when I was doing my interview as you might have noticed too that when I asked people if they would still treat me the same if they found out I had HIV, they said yes. But if I ever really did happen to me I wonder if they would react the same. Hopefully your family will be there for you no matter what,
ReplyDeleteI would also hope to believe that my family would not treat me any different if they found out I was HIV positive. This weeks QOTW also allowed for me to encounter some interesting responses. I was personally was shocked to see the amount of people from the interviews on the discussion board who had not been tested for HIV.
ReplyDelete