Thursday, April 8, 2010

Thinking of Ryan and his legacy tonight….

Ryan White died 20 years ago today. 

I will make every day World Aids Day by making sure my children hear the facts about HIV/AIDS at home before they hear the myths on the street.

I will make every day World Aids Day by leading my faith community to bear witness to hope rather than perpetuate shame.

I will make every day World Aids Day by speaking truth to power, continuing to advocate for the allocations necessary to give access to care to all who need it.

I will make every day World Aids Day by making sure every teenager I know knows when to use a condom, how to use one, and all of the places where they can get them, including from me.

I will make every day World Aids Day by remembering that good sex is safe sex, and it’s okay to insist that my partner wear a condom.

I will make every day World Aids Day by making sure my sisters have not only the knowledge but the self confidence to protect themselves.

I will make every day World Aids Day by walking along side of my brothers and sisters already infected, encouraging them to live lives bigger than their disease.

2 comments:

Beth Akins said...

As an HIV/AIDS educator, and the mother of an HIV/AIDS researcher, I find hope and joy in your post today. We must continue to educate people about prevention, transmission and treatment, to be compassionate and seek to overcome injustice suffered by those living with HIV and AIDS.

donna said...

When Michael Jackson died, I thought about Ryan White and then a few days ago, he came to my mind again and I was trying to remember how long ago he died. Thanks for this heartfelt post.

donna