I dawned on me this morning to talk about this.
Put you all on to something that no one ever talks about.
Those who know me probably guessed it, but its HIV.
See, I'm from the south and the CDC told me a couple years ago that there was a state of emergency and need to ACT on HIV/AIDS NOW..in my old community.
See, I sat on a panel of great and annointed HIV community activists, from the great Minister Forbes of NY, to a man who contracted HIV on death row, after being convicted falsely.
Each one of the persons, along with self, explained to the audience what they saw in the HIV community and the problems that watered stigmas to grow.
Such as
-Miseducation
-Shame
-Guilt
-Ignorance
and so forth....
Just a couple days ago it was HIV Advocacy Day
and well..
as usual.
Guess who were absent?
My people.
Where were you?
We gotta fight this and the only way we can do it successfully is to get educated, educated each other, and get tested each year.
Know your status.
Speaking on this state of emergency.
First off do you know how much HIV medications cost???
I couldnt afford them and I know the average black American couldnt afford them.
A regimen of meds can exceed multiple thousands of dollars.
Thats right.
Now, I don't want to narrow this down to the black race, but right now this is my audience and I need for you guys to listen up.
ADAP- Is a government funded HIV medication drug assistance program. In other words, if a person is HIV positive and cannot afford the medicines that can help them stay alive, then ADAP provides these medicines TO THEM.
Enabling them to a normal life, when taken correctly and acting compliant in medical care.
A common thing for a person who tests positive for HIV asks is
"How long will I stay alive?"
Well, with 75 percent of the ADAP waiting list dwelling in the south, I'm not really sure if I could answer this question.
Right now...
501 people in North Carolina are on an ADAP waiting list.
in South Carolina only 81
and in Kentucky 200..
You guys this is a crisis.
Real talk.
My father, your family member, an HIV positive child, and whomever else is waiting patiently to get the drugs they need to survive.
And all we really need to do is speak up about it?
What good are meds to people who can't afford to get them?
They are no good, and I see the stress on those men and women, waiting patiently for their name to be pulled out of the lottery....
only to be told
that they have a chance at fighting HIV b/c they can now recieve meds.
There is a bill, created by the Senate of the U.S.
Your area representative
My area representative
They need to know about this.
PLEASE ACT NOW.
The bill is called "The Access ADAP Act"
Call your senator rep
Richard Burr...Kay Hagan (examples)
and educate them on this bill.
This bill if passed will bring us more money, that will ease up the waiting list crisis.
This heavy waiting list crisis in North Carolina.
Especially.
Remember OUR PEOPLE NEED THIS.
HIV has taking taken over our communities.
Our brothers and sisters live with this disease day in and day out.
First off, they have to be quiet about their status, because its that shame and guilt that stigmas have placed in their conscience.
Then, on top of all of that nonsense, they are stressing day to day about not being able to get HIV medications.
Call your rep today.
Email your rep today.
Write a letter and mail it off today.
C'mon guys.
Five minutes.
Five hundred lives.
Lets get it.
XoXo Chakara
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