Coming to an end?

I have really enjoyed this class eventhough it has been very demanding, I have to say that I have a real life connection, and commitment to spreading the news. We need to be accountable for our actions.

Therefore, the key element would have to be education, spreading the news, and earlier learning in the school system.

Over 200,000 more infected since we first started this course which was three months so if we do the math it would be over 600,000 in a year. That is not cool. The only way to get things done is that everyone does their part to spread the word.

We can't afford to be quiet anymore.

What I am getting out of this class

I have to admit that this is one of the most through classes I have ever had in a long time. I do appreciate the mission and the determination. I will really miss this class.

Did you know ?

That in Nairobi, Africa that the older people need help to raise the next generation. When a member of the family dies from HIV related illness. There older parents have to work longer hours to take care of their children.

Grandparents who should be retiring are forced to keep working for their grand children, and they are not in the best condition to really take care of their childrens kids.

What I am getting from ths class

I just finished my M & M Simulation and it was pretty intense I really rather enjoyed it now that I am done with it. I learned that sometimes you can learn alot by doing something that you really don't want to do. I know that I dont want to get this disease so by doing the simulation, it gave me an up front look at my days living with this disease. So what I will do, is everything in my power to practice safe sex, so that I can avoid this from really happening.

Did You Know ?

Some of the signs and symptoms for this disease is the same as the common cold, now that is not cool.

Heterosexual contact is the greatest mode of transmission for African American women who acquire HIV.

There is a project that was started by the "African American HIV University", that is asking for 1 million people to get tested by 2010. It is called "Test 1 Million" and was formed to bring awareness and change to the african american community. I think it is totally unresponsible to not get tested if you are sexually active. It really makes me angry, to think that we have to start organizations to get people to be responsible.

What I am getting from ths class

I am tired but I have to blog about what I am getting from this class first. Today at work I talked about this class, and bragged about how much I am learning about HIV/AIDS. This class is very demanding and sometime I cant wait until its over and I passed, that would make me very happy. But over all I really feel that I have learned more in this class than any other class and its really cool, thanks Sharon and Linda, and all my co students for helping me to get into this class. If I had more time it would really be an even awesome experience.

Did You Know?

That they have an HIV home kit. Well they do you can get accurate results in as little as 15 minutes. So the website says. The website is called EasyKit and all the information for you to order is right there I thought that was pretty good, because a lot of people dont like going to the doctor office and sitting and waiting. The cost is not too expensive its between $20 and $80.

Not sure if I talked about this before but its importance is enough to mention again. Young black womens leading cause of death is HIV infection. Women between the age of 25 to 34.

A father of three daughters has prepared his daughters to take with them on a date a credit card, cash for a cab, a cell phone and a condom. Very important that we keep educating each other. Dont be afraid to talk about this epidemic with as many people as you can ecspecially if you are dating, and dont be afraid to get away from anyone who does not want to talk about it or does not practice safe sex.

W

What I am getting from ths class

This class makes me think about scenarios that I would not ever think about, and it keeps the adrenline pumping. I like that just glad that its just scenarios.

Did You Know ????


Did you know that if you are newly diagnosed with HIV and have not been treated with other medications that you may qualifiy for new investigational drugs that are called HIV integrase inhibitors or an FDA approved anti-HIV drug called efavirenz. This study consists of 17 visits to the doctor over a 96 week period. The participants recieve exams, bloodwork, and medication at no cost. To qualify you have to complete a screening and series of personal questions. Go to www.spring1study.com/questionnaire to get all the information.

What I am getting from ths class

I am really getting alot out of this class. I use to think that you could get this disease by touching, kissing, coughing, or just by being around a person with AIDS/HIV. It seems that we can now live very productive lives with this disease, which is an awesome change, just take your meds, and take care of yourself.

Did you know that?

There are grants that are given to help African American's who are HIV positive, and are coming out of jail. AIDS serices of Austin, is a non profit organization, that helps people who are infected. It is a non profit organization, who recently won $1.6 million grant dollars to support the project "Fresh Start". The money will help support families, and partners, and it will also allow the non profit to double the number of test that it does everyday.

The grant was provided by the substance Abuse and Mental Health Services is expected to serve over 9000people in the enxt five years. Those who have been incarceratedhave a difficult time rebuilding thier lives. It's hard for them to get employed, which in turn results in doing some of the same things that got them locked up before. And the biggest problem is that they can't get the medicines that they need to treat the HIV disease.

Project transitions is a non profit organization that provides housing and hospice services. Money and addition problems often keep people from finding stability. The grant for 1.6 million will help people afflicted wiht this disease get the help they need. Very nice....

African Americans and HIV/AIDS cont.

Thanks for the reply everyone. I am very sad also. What we have to do is be advocates with what we know and keep educating ourselves and as many people as we can so that we can keep passing the torch. This class has really opened my eyes and just hearing from you all it seems that we are all getting alot out of this course. I did my testing and I not feeling to afraid about it because I get tested every year with my physical.

Thanks again.

African Americans and HIV/AIDS

Did you know ?

According to the CDC of the 1.1 million people infected with HIV/AIDS that 46% are black or african american.
The numbers according to the CDC out of over 40,000 black people including children account for around 48% of new cases of HIV/ AIDS.
With Black women the most common method of transmission is heterosexual sex and drug injection use. The most common method for transmission with black men, is sexual contact with other men, intravenous drug use, and high risk heterosexual sex.
This information is very sad especially being a african american women.
Factors that contribute to the high rates of HIV/AIDS, are that they are having sex with high risk individuals, intravenous drug users, lack of awareness, poverty, no health insurance, and the list goes on.

What I am getting from ths class

This class is really giving me some insight on how we ignore some of the issues of life, thinking it will go away. It seems that people are afraid of this disease so much that they dont even want to know if they have it. Now, that is such an interesting fact, because its not the only thing that we ignore when it comes to our health. I know some individuals that will not go to the doctor because they dont want to know what's wrong. There are even some people who smoke or drink and they say well you have to die of something. That is a complete cop out if you ask me.

I am really glad that I am taking this class, I am learning a lot about this disease and I will be able to teach others pertinent information regarding this disease. I have to admit that I do feel uncomfortable around people with HIV/AIDS, but when you think about the children that have it, and how I would embrace them regardless, I have to reconsider how I treat adults, and how I need to use my knowledge about this disease to embrace the children as well as the adults.

Dolores Ransom

Today is a good day