I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. ~Edward Everett Hale

When I was growing up, HIV/AIDS was a disease that no one wanted to even mention by name. If one had it, everyone automatically assumed that it was because they were promiscuous and careless with their lives. Looking back now, I see how a lot of people were and still are wrong and misinformed about HIV. While it is true that some people are careless, leading to them contracting the disease, there are many more others that are just victims, i.e. the wife or husband that gets it from their significant other that steps out of the marriage, the child that was born with it, etc.

At the end of the day, everyone is a victim. HIV is a virus that not only affects the infected but all of us as a community. For that reason, we cannot allow ourselves to sit here and judge our brothers and sisters that have the disease, that is not our duty. Our duty is to care, protect ourselves and others, stay informed, work together to fight HIV, fight the stigma against people with HIV, but above all else, love one another and treat each other the way we would have others treat us.

Check out the story below from Annie Chanda Chate, who is of one of the many people that have been affected by HIV/AIDS:

“I’m one of the people who has been affected by HIV/AIDS. I was born free of the disease but two of my siblings were born infected with AIDS and passed away. My parents also passed away from the disease and I’m now the only surviving member of my family. Given an opportunity, I would like to be a nurse and help my community to fight the disease. I would like to encourage those who are affected and infected to never give up because a nurse encouraged me when I was nursing my mum at only 12 years old when she was abandoned by her mother.” – Annie Chanda Chate

Unfortunately, there are way too many stories like Annie’s. Like the saying goes, “If you are not infected then you are affected! Check out WM Hope Foundation for more stories and be inspired.

.................................................................................................................

Until next time, stay blessed!