azraelz_angel

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My first "real" introduction to HIV and AIDS came from a girl that my mother was home-schooling. Megan's mother was accidentally infected with HIV from a blood transfusion while she was pregnant with Megan. And thus, Megan was born with HIV. She knew, even from an early age that she wasn't going to lead a normal life, so she donated her body to science while she was still alive. The experimental drugs they gave her ultimately destroyed her body, destroyed her internal organs. She died before her 12th birthday and it broke my mother.

I've been wearing the Until There's A Cure silver AIDS bracelet, in memory of Megan (and everyone else that has been touched by HIV/AIDS) ever since that day in the mid-90s. It's stupid, but I get all offended when people think it's a breast cancer bracelet - because apparently that's 'more cool and commercialized' than the AIDS bracelet, at least with the people I come in contact with. The bracelet means a lot to me; it helps me remember a little 11 year old girl that was so beautiful and alive in my mother's eyes. It helps me remember that you have to be so careful in this world. It helps me remember that there are people - good people - out there that have HIV/AIDS and need everyone's love and support.

My best friend is currently volunteering with an AIDS organization over in Africa. She helps get food and drugs to those that need it. And I think that is so awesome - that she is so awesome for doing it. It has really opened her eyes to the world - to a completely different way of living. And I think she will come home a better person for it. And I know the people appreciate the help, however tiny, she has given them.

I have been blessed as HIV/AIDS has not directly affected my family. And for that I am so very thankful.

I keep hoping that we will find a cure. I know we will someday, I just wish that 'someday' was today.

And I shall leave you with a fic rec. It's a BtVS - Xander story, but kaylashay81 wrote it years ago in recognition of World AIDS Day. All About the Journey.