http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/38916 Who is informing the president on HIV and AIDS?


Failure of the American president to recognize the need to promote condoms has not only undermined over two decades of HIV prevention that work but also, the president’s government policies on HIV/AIDS prevention are endangering lives! President Bush is not in touch with what works and what doesn't. He fails to understand the importance of promoting condom use to prevent HIV infections from occurring. Condoms have been used successfully to prevent HIV infections from the time, when HIV was first known to be a sexually transmitted disease!

Due to his faith-based beliefs, President Bush has completely disregarded the successes of HIV/AIDS programs that promote condom use. Preventative information, the need to use a condom, instruction on how to use a condom and providing condoms should be forefront in HIV preventative efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. This president has undermined the importance of condom usage and instead, promotes fidelity and abstinence as top priorities.

Fidelity and abstinence are known to be of little effect in reducing HIV infection! Many people have been infected with HIV while believing that they were in a monogamous (faithful) relationship. However, their partner was not faithful! Abstinence is a choice but with that comes the need to recognize the importance of using a condom once the person chooses to become active sexually. Individuals who choose abstinence are often infected with HIV because they do not use a condom when they begin a sexual relationship.

We know that in the twenty-five years since the emergence of HIV, there have been nearly 30 million deaths and currently, over 40 million people are infected with human immune deficiency virus (HIV). The President of the United States and others must realize the important role of condoms in prevention of disease. Consider these points:

HIV does not discriminate and infects people of every age, sex, race, culture, faith and sexual orientation.

Condoms save lives.

Condoms can and do prevent HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Promoting condoms does not promote sexual activity.

Individuals who engage in sex without a condom are at risk of being infected with HIV or multiple HIV exposures, putting themselves and others at risk of HIV infection. When HIV infection occurs, an individual is at risk of being resistant to all the HIV/AIDS drugs that the person who infected them was using.

The number of people infected with HIV who do not get tested is likely in the millions. There are individuals who know they have been infected with HIV but who have opted out of getting tested.

There are men (in relationships with women) who do not define themselves as gay but who are engaging in unprotected sex with men.

Unfortunately, with the spread of HIV, there are now what is referred to as ‘Bug Chasers’ and ‘Gifters’. Bug chasers are individuals who are looking (seeking out) to be infected with HIV. Gifters are those who would purposely give (infect) HIV to an HIV negative individual.

There are heterosexuals, bisexuals, transsexuals, lesbians and homosexuals who are engaging in sex without a condom. Oral and anal sex is on the rise! HIV infection occurs in all of these groups.

HIV infections occur through sex workers (prostitution).

HIV Infections occur through the sharing of needles (IV drug users).

Individuals assume from HIV/AIDS media reports that unless they live in places like Africa, China, Russia, India and others where HIV infections are climbing, that they are unlikely to be infected with HIV. Wrong! HIV infection occurs within and outside of high-risk groups. People who believed themselves NOT in a high-risk group are being infected! The spread of HIV has broadened its reaches to encompass much of the world. Many people fail to see that it is a very real threat in their own communities, regardless of the location.

Everyone should be informed of these matters.


President Bush has policies, which do not support, denies or withdraws its funding to NGOs, HIV/AIDS organizations and others who promote condom use as a first line of defense for HIV prevention and this is frightening! Equally scary is Presidents Bush's misguided HIV prevention policies. These policies restrict U.S. funding to U.S. and global NGOs and HIV/AIDS organizations, which provide services for sex workers and IV drug users. These policies have frustrated and angered the rest of the world!

In twenty-five years, we have three generations (mothers, daughters and their children) infected with HIV! Lack of prevention in the spread of HIV means many more generations will be burdened with HIV infections and AIDS deaths!

Misguided or ill informed, U.S. President George Bush has not put in place evidenced based HIV/AIDS preventative policies. This administration’s present HIV prevention policies do not address the needs of Americans (1 million Americans are infected with HIV) or those in any other part of the world.

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ since 1984
www.PositivelyPositive.ca
Vancouver, Canada
]]> Fri, 26 May 2006 12:53:00 EDT http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/38916 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/37733
The arrival of Bio-Alcamid™ is exceptional news to men and women suffering from Lipoatrophy, the disfiguring condition that is often a result of the antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV infection and AIDS.

Press Release
BIO-ALCAMID™ RECEIVES HEALTH CANADA APPROVAL!

The Injectable Filler Offers an Effective, Affordable Treatment for Facial Lipoatrophy, the Facial Wasting Associated with HIV Infection and AIDS

Pur Medical Corporation, a Canadian distributor of innovative medical and medical cosmetic enhancement products, has introduced Bio-Alcamid™ to the Canadian market. In use in a number of European countries since 2001, Bio-Alcamid™ is an injectable solution which restores the natural fullness and contours of the face when injected under the skin. The arrival of Bio-Alcamid™ is exceptional news to men and women suffering from Lipoatrophy, the disfiguring condition that is often a result of the antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV infection and AIDS.

Lipoatrophy, often referred to as facial wasting, has become the “scarlet letter” of HIV, a public mark of HIV infection. The daily arsenal of antiretroviral drugs can take a tremendous toll on the quality of daily life causing anemia, extreme fatigue and severe gastrointestinal problems. With the addition of the facial disfigurement of Lipoatrophy, patients are forced to endure a constant visual reminder of the infection, essentially announcing to the world that they are HIV positive or have AIDS. Often, the result is extreme depression, leading to a decision by some to forego the medication they require to survive.

“Until now, Canadian HIV patients living with facial Lipoatrophy have not had a viable treatment,” says Toronto cosmetic plastic surgeon, Frank Beninger, M.D., F.R.C.S. (C). “Bio-Alcamid™ may be used in the large volume necessary to restore fat loss. My patients have been thrilled with the results.” Mona Loufty, M.D., F.R.C.P. (C) MPH - Infectious Disease Specialist at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Medical Clinic concurs, saying “Bio-Alcamid™ has reversed the affects of Lipoatrophy in all the patients that we have treated. It is a quick, simple procedure with outstanding results.”

When injected under the skin, Bio-Alcamid™, an injectable gel polymer, replaces depleted fat tissue, restoring the natural fullness and contours of the face. Unlike other injectable fillers that are commonly used in cosmetic enhancement, Bio-Alcamid™ acts like a gel prosthesis that becomes encapsulated in a thin layer of collagen that isolates it from the host tissues. As a result, a physician can remove Bio-Alcamid™ should this ever be desired. Bio-Alcamid has been used outside Canada in large volumes for the reconstruction of other anatomical areas, namely, buttocks, de-nervated shoulders, and a majority of the time in Europe for facial aesthetic enhancement.

Since November, 2004, more than 1000 Bio-Alcamid treatments have been performed in Canada, under provisions of the Special Access Program, to exceptional results. Bio-Alcamid is now approved by Health Canada’s Medical Devices Bureau, with treatments available through select, trained physicians across Canada. Potential patients can find a physician treating Lipoatrophy with Bio-Alcamid™ by visiting www.purmedical.com or emailing info@purmedical.com. Alternatively, further information is also available from the Face Forward Foundation, www.faceforward.ca , a non-profit foundation that supports people dealing with the physical and psychological side effects of HIV infection.

]]> Tue, 18 Apr 2006 13:29:00 EDT http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/37733 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/24272
It was a day just like any other day; I was at work getting set up and ready to get back to work after having lunch. I looked up from my station and while gazing across the salon, I noticed a radiant woman, beautifully dressed, standing at the receptionist’s desk. A stunning woman, with a short layered hairstyle; a shiny silvery salt and pepper colour throughout. She was fashionably dressed and carried herself with style and grace. I don’t know why, but I had a good sense she was there to see me.

She was my next client! Diahne was her name and once seated at my station, she just turned right around in the chair and looked right at me and said “I’m here!” Usually, client and stylist communicate through the mirror they are facing. I acknowledged her, voicing I was happy to meet her and then tried to turn her around and get going on her haircut. Again, she turned and said even more forcefully, “no, I’m here!” Feeling a little awkward about this somewhat, I moved right along into conversation, preparing to cut and style her hair.

Diahne was a most interesting individual, her conversations not like any I had heard before. She talked on about unique subjects and some of which I interpreted as a little quirky. But I like quirky, and I immediately liked her! She spoke of ideas and concepts that seemed a little out there but with such intelligence and wisdom conveyed. If you didn’t understand what she was talking about, you knew she had answers which allowed you to move from your doubts, knowing what she said was completely feasible. She intrigued me and sparked my interest to hear more.

The same time every week, Diahne drove from Montreal to Ottawa for her appointment with me; we talked excitedly and laughed uproariously throughout her appointments. Then we decided to take our relationship outside of the salon and get together the next week at my home in Hull, Quebec. She would come on my day off. When Diahne came to the apartment the next week, she sat at the dining room table and I poured us a cup of tea. Diahne proceeded to tell me everything we talked about from the very first time we connected, was about creating a Trust.

Having created a comfort zone, Diahne explained many things which somehow made sense, so I was all ears. Listening, her words vibrated in my soul. She talked to every cell in my body. What she was saying was somehow being instilled inside of me, talking to every part of my mental, emotional, physical and spiritual body. At this time in my life I hadn’t really explored or considered myself having much of a connection to spirit. I had my own beliefs, with many different ideas about religion and spirituality, collecting bits and piece’s like I thought everyone else had done throughout their lives.

Following with bated breath on her every word, Diahne told me she had specifically come into my life to tell me something. The next sentence she would speak was to change my life immediately and forever. Diahne said, “I have come to tell you that you have suffered long enough, and hard enough, and it was time to get on with your life! I wondered where this woman came from. Why was this taking place? Why is Diahne telling me all this? How does she know?

Undoubtedly, I knew this was true! I had suffered for a long time.

Is this not true for many of us? Have we not suffered enough? Everything Diahne said was true for me, but it rang loud and true this was not just about me. All of the many messages she conveyed had a much broader scope. Somehow Diahne instilled the meaning of LIFE and the workings of the Universe. Passing on to me, a new understanding of our purpose! Hours passed while we talked, and then Diahne left to go back to Montreal.

The following week I looked forward to her visit. Diahne’s name was not in the appointment book where it had been every week. Weeks would pass and turn into years, never again to see Diahne, an extraordinary woman who changed my life!

I haven’t told a lot of people about Diahne, but it seems when ever thoughts or conversation come up about Diahne and this experience, even if months or years go by between thinking of her, I have a sense that when speaking of Diahne, it is exactly when I need to! And perfect for each and every situation when it does come up. Like right now, it is supporting me in what is now my focus around my health and living.

Diahne if you are out there, look where I went with the life force you instilled in me!

I believe this was the start, the beginning of my new journey. A journey from fear to LOVE! The early beginning’s of Showing Up For Life!

That’s exactly what Diahne did! I was a changed person. I knew inside myself everything she said was true. Four years passed from the time I was told I had six months to live, living in my own prison, hiding the fact I was infected with the AIDS virus. Diahne was right on the mark too, was I going to spend another four years waiting to die? Or, get on with my life!

A realization occurred after Diahne left. I went across the street to the local Provi Soir {corner store} and found myself chatting with the cashier. I’d often been talking with her in the store. An invisible wall came down. Years of telling myself I couldn’t let anyone into my life and yet the Truth was; we had been having a relationship on some level all along. We knew we liked each other. It was my wall! This wall prevented me from seeing this relationship existed. I just didn’t see it. Because I was infected with HIV, I had chosen to move far away from family and friends so no one would see me get sick and die of AIDS and to not get close to people or believe I could! And when I let down that wall I created, a world of opportunities presented themselves. Everyone was there! I could have everyone in my life.

Shortly thereafter I painted, wallpapered, and decorated what was a boring beige apartment, one which had seemed pointless to make a home. All my life I played with interior decorating in all my homes, family and friends too, but when I moved into this apartment there didn’t seem to be much point. Doctor’s told me over and over that I would soon die of AIDS. I didn’t decorate or even buy anything for myself or the apartment.

Changing the dull drab walls brought newness to my home mimicking the newness of how I looked at my life. Years earlier, when I sold most of my belongings before moving away, I kept many of the gifts I received over the years from family and friends. All my keepsakes represented all the many people in my life who I loved and who loved me. All of a sudden there was a colorful warmth and Love everywhere I looked.

With this new excitement I went out into the world to create friendship and Love.

by Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ since 1984
Vancouver, Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca


]]> Tue, 26 Apr 2005 13:55:00 EDT http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/24272 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/22630



Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Posts: 17
Status: Online
.....................


U.S. Interferes With HIV and AIDS Prevention

The United States government would have the world believe it has been a major contributor in the fight against AIDS but many are unaware of the harmful tactics and funding shortfalls.

Throughout the world people affected by and infected with HIV, as well as the many people and organizations involved in HIV and AIDS prevention; they are aware of the often detrimental effects the United States government’s interference has and continues to have on HIV and AIDS prevention efforts.

The constant bullying by the U.S. government can be seen in far too many areas; leaving the world way behind of where it should and could be in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS!

Now the Bush government takes aim at needle exchange programs with a ban on the use of federal funds for needle exchange and is bullying the United Nations into withdrawing support for needle exchange programs.

“Silencing the United Nations on needle exchange is deadly diplomacy. The United States should be encouraging proven HIV prevention strategies, not attacking them.” Jonathan Cohen of Human Rights Watch’s HIV/AIDS Program.

HIV and AIDS Prevention programs in the United States and around the world have been negatively affected and HIV/AIDS organizations know only to well the repercussions of bullying when the U.S. government cut funding to those promoting and providing access to condoms!

“Whether it's sex or drugs, the United States is exporting an abstinence-only agenda to countries hard hit by HIV/AIDS,” said Joanne Csete, executive director of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. “If governments do not stand up to this bullying, millions will pay the price.”

What is necessary; is to have the United States government start contributing the actual funding it says it will provide and follow a worldwide view of how best to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS. And stop the bullying!

Then we can all move forward and really tackle this epidemic. United; all working together!

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ since 1984
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca

For more information:

Human Rights News:
An Open Letter to the delegates of the Forty-eighth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2005/03/02/global10244.htm







]]> Thu, 03 Mar 2005 10:57:00 EST http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/22630 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/22163
Originally, it seemingly appeared that anyone infected with HIV would progress to disease and die. This has long since been realized to no longer be true. We have individuals all over the world who are living 20 years or more without progression to disease and without the need for antiretroviral (ARV) medications.

This idea that everyone should be on medications has already been shown and proven by those of us infected, to be the wrong way to deal with HIV!

Treating everyone alike is wrong; HIV reacts differently in each person!

Individuals would not only be needlessly put on highly active antiretroviral drugs (HARRT), but these medications and there toxicity, may prove to cause more illness and progression to disease. Often the treatment is worse than the disease!

There are people who have been infected with HIV who have never developed and may never develop AIDS. Very often, individuals who were put on HIV/AIDS medications just because they had tested positive but without showing any signs of illness or immune suppression; they did not need medications!

Whether it was due to side effects or regime, over the years, many people stopped taking their medications and large numbers have gone on living without HIV/AIDS medications. Often for many years!

Individuals infected with HIV have shown time and time again that what are necessary is; adequate sanitation, proper housing, proper food and nutritional support and clean water for drinking and cooking! These should be provided and if they were provided; even more people would likely not have to introduce HIV/AIDS medications. Far more would fare better than the great number of deaths we see in poorer countries, particularly tropical zones where circumstances may actually accelerate illness and progression to AIDS and causing death.

Here in Canada, we are not seeing the kind of deaths we see in places like Africa. For the most part, we have all the above mentioned and medications are available through health care. I was able to go without HIV/AIDS medications for 13 years out of the 20 years I have been living infected with HIV. There are many people who have been living with HIV just as long or longer; who are not taking medications. This is common knowledge here and throughout the world.

I am saddened to see people put on medications when what many need is not medications but proper sanitation, food and water. How can anyone be expected to fight off a virus when their living conditions are less than adequate, where people are already suffering from dysentery and other virus's and diseases. It is hard enough to keep diarrhea under control that is caused by the HIV/AIDS medications; when you do have proper food and water!

In the richer countries of the world, where food and supplements are plentiful and accessible, individuals are living longer! When infected with HIV and living without the necessities of life, such as clean water and quality food, we have progressive illness and many more deaths.

Just because an individual is infected with HIV; this does not necessarily mean that they will go on to develop opportunistic infections or AIDS.

And people living with HIV have already brought about this realization, as well as, the fact that there are alternative ways to deal with and treat HIV that do not mean using pharmaceuticals! There are people throughout the world living with HIV, without HIV medications; who have continually fought to bring attention to this fact.

We are not properly addressing what is right in front of us, the opportunity to help prevent HIV and AIDS illness and death using proper food, nutritional support, and alternative and complementary therapies. In Europe and the United States, governments and pharmaceutical forces are working at making decisions that if successful, they will not only take away our rights to choose nutritional support and CAM but this will take away what is often for many infected with HIV; a first line of defense in the fight against HIV and AIDS!


Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ for over 20 years
Vancouver, Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca

]]> Sat, 05 Feb 2005 16:16:00 EST http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/22163 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/21835
Individuals living with HIV and AIDS may not only have to deal with the threat of illness but the toll of illness and all it requires to stay healthy and alive can leave an everlasting mark! I’m referring to the loss of subcutaneous fat from the face, commonly referred to as facial wasting or Lipoatrophy. While individuals are often able to re-gain weight and build up muscles on their arms, shoulders, and other areas, they fail to be able to replace the loss of fat to their face. Although fat loss in the face has been reported in individuals who are not taking HIV/AIDS medications, large numbers (up to 80%) of people on antiretroviral combination therapies (Protease inhibitors and nucleosides) are developing Lipoatrophy. Reportedly, the longer a person is on HIV/AIDS medications the greater the likelihood of developing problems with facial wasting. Along with surviving, many show in their face the tell tale signs of living with HIV!

Most of us infected at one time or another has feared the onset of facial wasting. The longer we are on medications the more we become concerned. Facial wasting causes great anxiety; knowing full well the stigma and discrimination that one often receives because of it! These circumstances affect self esteem and can cause individuals to become socially withdrawn and cut off their ties with family and friends. Even so far as to stop working. Individuals report people treating them badly. Often treated like they are drug addicts or homeless street people because their faces are so caved in from Lipoatrophy; when the truth of the matter is the treatments that enable them to live have brought this on!

The fact that I was able to go with out HIV medications for some 13 years (the exception being 9 months on AZT in 1990) meant that I personally did not experience the devastating effects of Lipoatrophy I witnessed in others. But, in the last 7 years taking medications, I have watched the fullness in my face slipping away. Then last summer (2004) my face started to rapidly sink in; caused by the fact I've been living with HIV for over 20 years, along with the side effects from HIV medications necessary in these later years. There was only sadness for a situation for which I thought there was no lasting treatment. I knew only of people who sought out some temporary fixes that fell short of what was necessary for repairing the deep scaring of Lipoatrophy. I was not aware of the long term or permanent treatments available.

In November, 2004, John McCahill, President of Pur Medical Corporation in Toronto contacted me through my website. John informed me of a product being brought to Canada that will help to restore the natural appearance in the face for people living with HIV antiretroviral drug induced Lipoatrophy. The product called Bio-Alcamid or polyalkylimide made by Polymekon, an Italian company, is a synthetic gel made up of 96% water and 4% synthetic reticulate polymer that is injected below the skin to restore volume and natural contours of the face. Bio-Alcamid is one of the only products that can be used in large volumes necessary to correct this problem with results that are permanent.

”We have implanted this substance in 73 patients with up to three years' follow-up. The aesthetic results were deemed excellent by both physicians and patients. No implant dislocation, implant migration, granuloma, allergic reaction or intolerance was recorded”. Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy (2003)

John McCahill organized Pur Medical Corporation’s first treatment training session for facial restoration in Toronto, Canada on November 26, 2004, where Drs. Beninger, Kasrai, Weiglein and Rice treated 8 volunteer patients with Bio-Alcamid. The following day 3 others and I participated in a training session here in Vancouver for some of Western Canada’s top cosmetic practitioners. This included Drs. Alastair and Jean Carruthers, Robert Thompson and Calgary’s Wayne Perron. Dr. Peter Velthuis from the Netherlands, one of the highest volume users of Bio-Alcamid in the world, flew in to direct the physicians in the subtleties of the technique. These 12 volunteer patients were the Canadian debuts of a product that has been used in Europe and other countries for 5 years.

Dr. Alastair Carruthers, cosmetic dermasurgeon, Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Vice-President of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, performed my procedure. Forty minutes later, my sunken face was restored! Over a period of two months my own body creates collagen and a film will form, encapsulating the Bio-Alcamid, making my face appear natural and feeling soft under the skin. Swelling lasted several days and each day since my face has become smoother and softer to the touch.

I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to participate and receive Bio-Alcamid for my facial Lipoatrophy and I would recommend this product and procedure to people living with Lipoatrophy concerns; Bio-Alcamid has rejuvenated my face and having the treatment has increased my self esteem.

Until now, people living in Canada have gone to Mexico, South America and Europe to have Bio-Alcamid treatments done at an expense which is out of the reaches of people in need. Currently Bio-Alcamid is available in Canada under provisions of the Special Access Program which involves application on a patient by patient basis.

Many individuals living with HIV and AIDS have often overcome bouts of illness but the side effects of the medications have left deep facial scaring affecting their self image physically and mentally. This will contribute to their hardship and ill health! We need government to recognize the severity of the problem and treat Lipoatrophy like that of the restoration treatments cancer patients receive. Lipoatrophy is a direct result of the medications to treat HIV infection and to repair the problem, this needs to be covered under Health Care.

I believe we can All work together, recognizing that there is a need; helping to create change and providing better care!

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years
www.PositivelyPositive.ca


Pur Medical Corporation http://www.purmedical.com/

Before and After photos http://www.purmedical.com/beforeAfter2.htm









]]> Thu, 20 Jan 2005 15:54:00 EST http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/21835 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/21394
Twenty three years since I first began to witness the horrific illnesses and deaths caused by HIV and still today, very few people have an understanding of HIV. The world population is ignorant about HIV! We have failed to properly educate the world on HIV. Efforts to address HIV prevention have failed miserably. In fact, in many
parts of the world HIV infection, stigma and discrimination have never been as bad as it is today!

There has been insufficient time or attention given to the dispersal of proper information regarding HIV and AIDS and HIV prevention. People believe HIV infection will never happen to them and many still associate HIV/AIDS with gay people. Yet men, women and children of every race and religious or spiritual belief are being infected with HIV every day, all over the world!

- An HIV infection may cause one illness after another and a lifetime of concern for you, and you're family and friends!

- Multiple sex partners mean multiple infections can occur with the likelihood of infection with more than one HIV strain. This places an individual in greater danger of illness and or death as well as any person they infect.

In the early years we didn’t know any better and people who were infected assumed it didn’t matter if they had unprotected sex with someone else who was HIV positive. Now we know; not only did people become infected with other strains of HIV but an infected individual may develop resistance to all the drugs taken by the person who infected them with the disease.(Drug-resistant strain of the virus) Often leaving a person without treatment options!

- One out of every 10 Europeans newly infected with HIV has a drug-resistant strain of the virus.

- People think because we have successful antiretroviral therapies there is no need to practice safe sex or worry. They need to be aware of the risks involved and know
there is no guarantee these medications will work for them!

- A person may not be able to tolerate the HIV/AIDS medications. Suffering from the side effects of the drugs and having to stop taking the medication; may put them at
even greater risk of opportunistic infections, cancers and death.

- Some strains of HIV have been shown to cause illness and death rapidly regardless of immune status.

- We didn’t realize the prevalence of other STD infections when infected with HIV. Being infected with HIV may also include being infected with syphilis, gonorrhea,
chlamydia, human papilloma virus (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and hepatitis A, B, and C, and others!

-In the United States, there are 980,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and 45,000 newly infected.

-In Canada, 56,000 people are infected with HIV. The rates of infection among our aboriginal population in Canada are reported to rival the worst hit areas of Africa! HIV infection among aboriginal people is twice the rate of infection in non-aboriginal people.

- Seventy five percent of the world population infected with HIV is heterosexual.

- Fifty percent of all HIV infections are women. The proportion of adults living with HIV/AIDS who are women has been steadily increasing. AIDS now ranks as one of the leading causes of death among women aged 20 to 40 in several cities in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and North America!

- Studies show that anal sex is common throughout the world and in some countries 60% of adults practice anal sex.

- Condom usage is lower for heterosexual anal sex compared to vaginal sex.

- Many men who have sex with men do not define themselves as gay. More and more women are being infected with HIV through sexual intercourse with their male partner, unaware their partner is bisexual!

- In heterosexual relationships, infidelity is also responsible for increases in HIV infection among women.

- Everyday, 6,000 individuals between the ages of 14 and 24 are infected with HIV.

- There is the perception that if you are infected, HIV is manageable. It involves management of your health through doctors’ appointments, hospital visits for regular blood work and appointments to pick up your necessary HIV/AIDS medications. You must manage the side effects of the drugs and drug resistance. There are the demands of managing to overcome each opportunistic infection. All of these are
essential to manage to stay alive!

This is the kind of information that everyone needs to know if HIV
infections/transmissions are to be prevented. Each person understanding and taking responsibility for their own lives and the lives of others! Even though the numbers of AIDS cases in poorer regions are growing rapidly, the problem with HIV is worldwide; people everywhere need to be aware they are at risk of infection if they have unprotected sex!

Talking about safe sex and the need to use a condom or providing condoms is not working! HIV is a global problem which demands attention yet those of us working tirelessly are unable to get articles or /letters published in newspapers, events covered, or messages conveyed to help educate the public. Snippets of news and safe sex commercials are not effective enough. The time the media gives to HIV/AIDS coverage is that of news covering a new drug or conference or a statistic. More familiar, media coverage of the sick! The media has fallen short in reaching people globally. Misconceptions continue.

HIV infection does not occur without an opportunity! HIV can be stopped, but without more public awareness of the risks involved, safe sex practices (CONDOMS!) and the realities of people living with HIV, the numbers of infections will continue to grow and more lives devastated!

This awareness cannot be provided by AIDS organizations alone! Government and the media need to play a more active role in HIV prevention. There has been insufficient time or attention given to the dispersal of proper information through the media regarding HIV and AIDS and HIV prevention. HIV and AIDS have not been made visible and clear to all. The truth about HIV infection needs to be told!

HIV needs to be in the media each and every day!

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years
Vancouver, Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca

]]> Tue, 28 Dec 2004 13:10:00 EST http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/21394 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/21063

Around the world the use of condoms is seen as a trusted weapon in the prevention of HIV infection. However, these efforts are often hampered by religious beliefs.

President Bush has clearly given preferential treatment by providing funding to HIV/AIDS groups and organizations which promote abstinence, over those promoting the use of condoms! Steven Sinding, director general of the International Planned Parenthood Federation says “Condoms will remain key preventive tools for many, many years to come. The U.S. policy of emphasizing abstinence is a serious setback to the AIDS control effort”.

The Pope refuses to recognize the harm the Catholic Church is causing with it’s refusal to promote condom use in the prevention of HIV and AIDS. HIV+ individuals have even been told by Priests and Nuns that they should not use condoms!

At the 2004 International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said ”In some cultures sexual intercourse is so elaborate that condoms are a hindrance”. Let the condom be used by people who cannot abstain, cannot be faithful or are estranged”.

Condoms may not be preferred but the reality is they are now necessary. The use of condoms saves lives and condoms work to prevent the further spread of HIV!

Everyone working to promote abstinence as a method of preventing HIV infection should have to include education on the need for a condom and how to use a condom! Condoms prevent HIV infection!

We know that individuals who are told they must refrain from sex or make pledges of abstinence that they are very often ill prepared and a condom is not used when they do engage in sex. They become infected!

We also know that we cannot rely on the pledge of fidelity! Many women and men who considered themselves to be in a monogamous relationship were infected by their spouse. This is clearly evident now with the increase of HIV infections among married women. Knowledge of and the use of a condom is necessary in relationships!

Responsible sexual conduct means using a condom and if this is not being taught then many more people will be infected with HIV. We will not see change in the HIV/AIDS pandemic until the use of
Condoms are a standard practice for all!


Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years
Vancouver, Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca



]]> Thu, 09 Dec 2004 13:20:00 EST http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/21063 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/20309

Are you aware you’re loosing your rights to choose? Have you noticed your choices of natural health products for optimizing your health are disappearing?

Why? Because of legislation passed by European Union (EU) Directive on Dietary Supplements and the fact that other countries are bound to the rules and laws of the World Trade Organization.

In the early years of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, there was no treatment. I was witness to and learned from people who were using vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanical supplements to combat illness and/or boost their immune system. When the pharmaceutical drug AZT was first introduced as a treatment for HIV and AIDS, instead I chose vitamin supplements as a means to boost my immune system and stay healthy. I did not take HIV/AIDS medications for 13 years, out of the 20 years I have been infected!

It wasn’t until 1997, I first realized the threat the Codex Alementarius posed. Throughout the years I have watched closely, signed petitions and written to the Canadian government expressing my opposition to the German delegation’s proposal to the World Health Organization’s Codex Alementarius, the Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses.

I believed then, as I do now that if regulations are put into place, my rights as a consumer of nutritional supplements will be jeopardized. Dietary supplements which promote my well-being will become more costly and harder to obtain, and no supplements will be available for therapeutic or preventative uses without prescriptions. Dosages will have minimal amounts with higher costs!

By August of 2005, 5,000 products will disappear?

An imminent threat of being robbed of the right to choose!

Fight to keep our supplements!

We are not only ill informed but governments around the world are making these deliberate legislative decisions without informing the general public! The mainstream media as well has avoided coverage of this legislation!

That being said, you can look to the Internet for all the details on how this legislation has been taking place, and get involved!

Codex Alementarius
http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/index_en.jsp

For more information on the European Union Directive on Dietary Supplements and on the Codex Alementarius legislation, contact the International Advocates for Health Freedom (www.iahf.com), the American Holistic Health Association (www.ahha.org), or the Alliance for Natural Health (www.alliance-natural-health.org).

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years,
Vancouver, Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca



]]> Sun, 31 Oct 2004 14:16:00 EST http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/20309 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/18619
Many people still have the belief that HIV and AIDS only affects homosexuals! However, 75% of the world population infected with HIV is heterosexual. The United Nations predicts “AIDS will cut population by 300 million; 300 million fewer people in the world by the year 2050 from the impact of AIDS.” The United Nations is predicting the biggest rises in AIDS deaths to be in China (estimated 40 million) and India (estimated 47 million). The population of sub-Saharan Africa will be 19% lower.

In the United States, there are 980,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and 45,000 newly infected.

In Canada, 65,000 people are infected with HIV. The rates of infection among our aboriginal population in Canada are reported to rival the worst hit areas of Africa! HIV infection among aboriginal people is twice the rate of infection in non-aboriginal people.

People believe HIV infection will never happen to them and many still associate HIV/AIDS with gay people. Yet men, women and children of every race and religious or spiritual belief are being infected with HIV every day, all over the world!

For years, the gay community successfully promoted and practiced safe sex practices, which reduced the number of infections dramatically over a period of ten years. With antiretroviral therapies and fewer deaths associated with these treatments, many gay people have discontinued safe sex practices. HIV infection is not disclosed to partners and anal sex without a condom is increasing at alarming rates. So now HIV infection is on the rise again amongst gay people.

Also, the heterosexual community is not practicing safe sex, which is evident in the statistics of HIV infection amongst heterosexuals worldwide. Seventy five percent of the world population infected with HIV is heterosexual. Fifty percent of all HIV infections are in women.

There has been insufficient time or attention given to the dispersal of proper information through the media regarding HIV and AIDS and HIV prevention.

Studies show that anal sex is common throughout the world and in some countries 60% of adults practice anal sex. Women in the United States are reported to be seven times more likely to engage in unprotected anal sex, than men having sex with men. Condom usage is lower for heterosexual anal sex compared to vaginal sex. Many men who have sex with men do not define themselves as gay. More and more women are being infected with HIV through sexual intercourse with their male partner, unaware their partner is bisexual! In heterosexual relationships, infidelity is also responsible for increases in HIV infection among women.

The proportion of adults living with HIV/AIDS who are women has been steadily increasing. AIDS now ranks as one of the leading causes of death among women aged 20 to 40 in several cities in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and North America.

The number of people who believe they are HIV positive but who have not been tested is substantial. Many are not practicing safe sex.

Many AIDS dissidents are not practicing safe sex because they do not believe HIV exists and/or causes AIDS and they too are responsible for increased numbers of infections. What the average person who reads material provided by AIDS Dissidents does not realize or know is this; AIDS dissidents have gone on to develop AIDS. Some who have tested positive opt out of treatments and for others; by the time they do get tested it is often too late!

HIV reacts in each individual differently, there is no way of knowing how long before illness occurs. This is why people who have tested positive but seemingly have no signs of illness, are buying into the false belief that HIV does not cause AIDS.

HIV does cause AIDS. And HIV infections ARE rising!
I am Positively Positive

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years!
Vancouver, Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca
]]> Fri, 06 Aug 2004 14:10:00 EDT http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/18619 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/18198
From the time I was told I had “six months to live” by an AIDS specialist in 1985, I learned from other people infected with HIV and included supplements and complementary therapies. These kept me healthy and were responsible for allowing me to address health issues, boost my immune system and avoid going on HIV/AIDS medications for over a dozen years.

It was not that I did not get sick or need medical attention throughout the years, because I certainly did. There were countless doctor’s appointments, blood tests at the hospital to keep watch on how my body was reacting to having the virus and more times than I can count trying to fix whatever complications appeared. Throughout these years, large numbers of infected individuals went from a weakened immune system, to no immune system, to one sickness after another. With the advent of newer and better HIV/AIDS medications and a much broader understanding of this illness, individuals have been able to bounce back and have wellness restored with the aid of combination therapies. Equally, throughout everything, sick or well, complementary therapies are a mainstay to address: diarrhea, nausea, neuropathy, irritated skin and rashes, wasting, fatigue, loss of appetite, immunosuppression and more, when it comes to living with HIV. We have learned a much broader understanding of this illness!

After approximately 13 years since diagnosis of infection with HIV, I did become seriously ill. In July of 1998, I developed pneumocystis-carinii-pneumonia, known as PCP. My health deteriorated and it looked as though I might die. My only recourse was to try an HIV/AIDS drug combination to boost my compromised immune system enough to fight off the pneumonia. That is exactly what happened. On December 1st, World AIDS DAY, 1998, I started my first ever HIV/AIDS drug combination treatment. After just four weeks on the medication, my cd4 count of 40 went up a couple hundred points; eradicated the PCP and the viral load of several millions viral particles went down to thousands. With a reduced viral load, I could once again absorb nutrients. I regained the weight lost and started to strengthen my body through nutrition, exercise and complementary therapies.

People who knew me were very surprised that I started HIV/AIDS medications. They knew I was very involved in addressing HIV infection through alternative and complementary therapies. Although I was fortunate to have lived 13 years without highly active antiretroviral therapies (HARRT), I was not opposed to them. I was very successful addressing my health concerns without them, but I was aware of the benefits of pharmaceutical treatments and kept myself well informed. I knew there was a possibility of having to go on them one day. It was my hope that I could maintain good health without them, or by the time I needed them that they would be much improved from the drugs used in earlier years. It worked out for me in the long run. Without the drug combination therapy, I would not have survived. They saved my life!

Without the availability of these drugs, there would be far more suffering and deaths. Some individuals do not tolerate these medications, as they can be toxic. This is true of the treatments for many people who live with cancer and other illness, but you do not see activists denouncing the use of these life saving drugs. Myself and countless others have gone on to enjoy life, aided by these medications and it is very important to recognize the enormous benefits from the treatments available.

After two years, my HIV/AIDS drug combination began to fail. A genome test showed I was resistant to all the HIV/AIDS medications, even though my only usage consisted of AZT for 9 months (years earlier) and the current drug treatment. In 2000, with resistance to all existing HIV/AIDS medications, I enrolled in a drug study for a new protease inhibitor, Kaletra. Within the first four weeks on the drug my cd4 count climbed to 340 and my viral load was undetectable (less than 50 particles). In 2001, Kaletra was approved for use. Here it is 2004, and I am still taking Kaletra and I have a cd4 count of 470 and the virus is undetectable.

I recognize the significant accomplishments of science, medicine and the pharmaceutical companies and commend the work being done. Many are benefiting and I have seen people who were seriously ill regain a quality of health due to the HIV/AIDS treatments, myself included! I have seen people who were at one time in wheelchairs, recover and return to wellness due to new drug treatments and protease inhibitors. Weight gain, energy and hope have been restored in what might otherwise have meant death without these drugs. Initially, people did not have the treatment options we have today, but they led the way. Many people died in the process. People offered themselves to science in the hope of finding a way to stay well, stay alive and move forward in treatment options. Without individuals engaged in studies and drug trials, we would not have the success in saving lives we have today. Many benefit and live longer due to the new drug treatments and protease inhibitors available. Obviously, we are moving forward in the development of more effective drug treatments!

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca
]]> Mon, 19 Jul 2004 00:10:00 EDT http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/18198 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/18128 By Bradford McIntyre

I have been living with HIV for 20 years and for a decade now, I have been OUT publicly about my being infected with HIV. My work creating awareness globally has provided for many people, a face living with HIV and has helped to bring hope to people infected that they too can live!

For the past 9 months, I have been a regular contributor of HIV and AIDS articles in Enkidu Magazine, Web Edition http://www.enkidumagazine.com/ in Mexico City, which has published over a dozen of my HIV/AIDS articles and provided a page for all my articles. In April 2004, I received a letter from Dr. Lars Ivar Owesen-Lein Borge General Director/Science Editor and Lic. Agustin Villalpando Sanchez News Editor/Outreach Coordinator-Enkidu Magazine inviting their regular contributors/correspondents from continents all over the world, to attend their 2nd Anniversary of Enkidu Magazine. If I could get to Mexico, Enkidu would very much like to have me attend the anniversary and to have me speak while in Mexico, possibly at one of the outreach festivities held bi-weekly in Mexico City.

Initially, I conveyed my sincere appreciation for the invitation but expressed I would not be able to afford to attend given my limited income. However, an invitation was extended for me to stay with Lars and Agustin so that I would not have the expense of accommodation. Some of my friends who know all I have been doing creating HIV and AIDS awareness encouraged me to go and offered financial assistance. This made the trip possible!

I talked with my doctor to see if he felt I could make the trip and what if anything was necessary? After blood test results showing my immune system was strong, a B12 injection for my neuropathy, extra medications in case I should have any problem with the food or water, he gave me his O.K. I spent several weeks busily working out and putting on some extra body weight and muscle for the trip.

I was also very happy that I did not have to worry about access into Mexico because I am HIV+. This is a problem which plagues many people, forcing them to lie to border guards and stop or hide their medications when entering the United States. I have not been able to submit abstracts for conferences or accept invitations to present or speak at HIV/AIDS events in the United States, simply because I refuse to lie and hide my medications. I am OUT ABOUT HIV and there needs to be access for individuals wanting to enter other countries such as the United States, for reasons which may include receiving specific medical attention, attending conferences or providing HIV education and awareness. I thank and commend the Mexican government for allowing HIV+ people access into your country! All that was recommended was a letter from my physician stating my medications (not necessary to mention what they are for) were crucial to my health. I can’t tell you how good the feeling was to enter Mexico without the fear of ridicule and being turned away. This is the case for those stopped and found out, entering the United States. This is a cause I will work to promote change, not for myself but for the freedom of every person living with HIV!

My sincere thanks to Jose F. Colon and Agustin Villalpando Sanchez for their supportive comments in Jose F. Colon’s recent article in Enkidu Magazine:
“PATRIA OBRA Y SOLIDARIDAD EN EL VIH”
http://www.enkidumagazine.com/art/2004/290504/E_022_290504.htm

“In addition, we must indicate and denounce the public policy sustained by the United States, regarding its unjust and antihuman immigration laws that do not allow that an activist of the quality of Mr. Bradford McIntyre, correspondent of Enkidu in Canada, to enter the United States of America because he is openly HIV-positive.

According to what Agustin Villalpando Sanchez said: (and I quote as “ad verbatim” as possible): “What moral force does the government of the United States have to speak about freedom and democracy when it criminalizes people simply because they are carrying a disease?” Bradford is saying, in his veracity of heart, that he prefers not to visit that nation if it entails hiding his positive status, a fight that he has undertaken by a decade or more. His ethics and morals do not allow him to fall in this trap. For this reason, we applaud the valor and commitment of our companion Canadian correspondent”.

When I told my friend Larry of my trip to Mexico just two days prior to my leaving, he went to the library and took out a book about Mexico for me to read and learn before I left, of the people, the history, culture, sights and more, in Mexico. The very first sentence inside Insight Guides - Mexico City is: “Mexico City is a city of Miracles”.

I knew I was meant to go!

I flew to Mexico City for 8 days, from June 21st until June 28th 2004. It was a busy time for me in Mexico City, promoting HIV and AIDS awareness through speaking engagements, press conferences and interviews.

On June 22nd, I spoke at an outreach activity at EL TALLER, called LOS MARTES DEL EL TALLER, (Tuesdays of the Factory). The hosts, Augusto Molina, Agustin Villalpando Sanchez, Beto Gonze, Roberto “Ozzy” Fernandez and Gabriel Briceno were members of the group, Grupo de Osos de Mexico (Group of Bears of Mexico). There, I spoke about HIV infection not necessarily being a death sentence but more like that of a chronic illness. I related that there is much a person can do to stay healthy and alive, with or without HIV medications such as: proper nutrition, exercise, vitamins, a positive attitude and support of others! I explained that unprotected sex puts individuals at risk of not only contracting HIV but of being infected with multiple strains of HIV, other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and resistance to all the drugs the infected individual has taken.

There is a need for governments to provide health care and medications to everyone infected with HIV and for more efficient testing to halt the current problem with so many who have tested receiving false positives! There also needs to be world standards set for the appropriate timing to start HIV/AIDS treatments. We know that introducing HIV medications can be harmful to healthy people and many who are infected have a strong immune system with none or very little viral load, which means they may be able to forgo treatment at that time! However, throughout the world there still exists today among many in the medical profession, the practice of prescribing HIV meds just because a person has tested positive! It is imperative that all individuals in need of anti-retroviral treatment receive it and equally important that the proper tests be done to establish the need.

On June 24th, I was included along with Mario Arteaga, president of COMAC A.C., Sergio Villarreal, Horacio Franco and Minerva Grijalvo in an informative press conference organized by COMAC and Enkidu Magazine [www.enkidumagazine.com]. This was held to inform the Mexican Press about the XXVI Marcha del Orgullo LGBTT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestites and Transgendered) of the City of Mexico and to talk about the goals and objectives of the parade as well as other GLBT issues. Sergio Villarreal read a letter to the press from the gay community, organizations, businesses and individuals with the intention being one where the press would be objective and not just look for the sensational and provocative in the parade. The parade represents the entire diversity of Mexico, which is the motto of the parade. “We are all equal because we are different!” (Somos iguales, porque somos diferentes) We all have our own individuality and we are everywhere; sexual orientation is one aspect of ourselves!

Minerva Grijalvo, a mother and a member of Madres Asertivas Padres Amorosos (MAPA), (Assertive Mothers Loving Parents of Gays) said, “Traditionally in Mexico gays have been marginalized and perceived as a threat to traditional family values. What Mexico needs is an including concept of family!” Horacio Franco spoke about the importance of the parade, coming out of the closet, breaking down the stigma and stopping the discrimination.

I conveyed that individuals living with HIV, gay or not are faced with discrimination. Unfortunately, many who are both gay and HIV+ are afraid to disclose in either case. It is my hope that by talking about being gay and talking about being HIV+ that we can all move away from the fear and discrimination. In April 2004, the Canadian government passed legislation extending hate-crime protection to homosexuals making discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal in Canada. There are GLBT individuals and groups worldwide who are working tirelessly so this can/will be true in every corner of the world. Our efforts do not only affect the rights of the GLBT community but they affect and protect the rights of all individuals.

In the early evening, I was interviewed for an article about my living with HIV for 20 years, to be included in Atracciones para Hombres Magazine and Enkidu Magazine written by correspondent Miguel Alonso Hernandez Victoria.

On June 26th, I took part in the XXVI Marcha Del Orgullo LGBT De La Ciudad De Mexico (the 26th March of GLBT Pride in Mexico City) festivities. Starting at the Angel de la Independencia (Angel of Independence) where from the steps of the monument, I held my sign high (Spanish on one side and English on the other) for all to see.

FUERA SOBRE VIH
VIH Por 20 años
(Canada)
www.PositivelyPositive.ca

OUT ABOUT HIV
HIV+ for 20 years
(Canada)
www.PositivelyPositive.ca

From there, the parade began the four-mile route to its final destination in the Zocalo. I knew I was not going to be able to walk the entire four-mile parade route. I was very moved and grateful that I had received an invitation from Minerva Grijalvo and the other members of Madres Asertivas Padres Amorosos (MAPA), (Assertive Mothers Loving Parents of gays) to ride on the first float with them. This allowed me to walk some of the route while other times riding on the float. It was an emotional experience to be included and embraced by everyone on the float and to participate in the parade!

Once in the Zocalo, we were directed onto the stage in front of an estimated 130,000 people, where several mothers of Madres Asertivas Padres Amorosos addressed the crowd. Then, with microphone in hand I said, “Saludos desde Canada” (Greetings from Canada) and talked with the aid of a translator, about creating HIV awareness globally. The loud jubilant cheers that followed will be etched in my mind and heart always! Throughout the day, I walked amongst the massive crowd waving my sign and stopping to talk about HIV and AIDS with hundreds of people. Thousands of photographs were taken!

I was filled completely with great joy and often moved to tears as I watched and listened to the many speeches and exceptional performances on stage. The music and spectacular voices that echoed in the Zocalo, of Pedro Kominic, Eugenia Leon, Regina Orozco and the harmonic notes mastered by Horacio Franco on flute, not only caused the crowds to cheer louder and louder, but caused such a stir in me as to remind me of why I was there! My thoughts were of how I came to be in Mexico City, in the Zocalo and carried my sign proclaiming that I was HIV+ and living with HIV for 20 years. I remembered that time after time in the past I was given death sentences and fought one illness after another! I was amazed at the miracle of it all!

I would not be here if not for all the many people in my life! The years of fear, loss and isolation caused by the stigma attached to HIV and keeping HIV a secret are all gone! They are replaced with the LOVE for life, the will of spirit and the determination of mind to live my Truth! In that, I am free! With this freedom, I recognized that we are all here to LOVE and care for one another. We are all connected! Years of isolation were merely a faint memory while standing in the crowded Zocalo!

For those we loved and lost to AIDS, we will remember the Love we shared! Those of us who remain are even more determined that others do not experience what we endured! Perhaps, the most important judgment is to determine if a person is receiving LOVE or lacking LOVE. If it is lack of LOVE, then give LOVE!

On June 28th, my last day in Mexico City I was a panelist at the Sexualidad Masculina: Nuevas Perspectivas Conference, [http://www.enkidumagazine.com/art/2004/180504/E_036_180504.htm], with Alonso Hernandez, Yuri Herzberg Tovar and Jose F. Colon (from Puerto Rico). What is masculinity? Why is it so important? Questions were raised about the role masculinity plays in our sexual lives. It was very evident that the importance of the role or even pressure one feels to be masculine has a significant impact on how a man is perceived and/or accepted and how he perceives himself. Worldwide cultural influences inhibit people from disclosing their sexuality. From the standpoint of disease transmission, it is imperative that ALL people practice safe sex!

SAFE SEX = DISEASE PREVENTION!

In closing, I would like to thank everyone who made my trip to Mexico possible and I would like to thank everyone in Mexico City for making my time there so very special! I LOVE YOU ALL!

Mexico City IS a city of Miracles!

Whether YOU are affected by or infected with HIV, we must cross those boundaries of fear and discrimination. It is time to join OUR hearts, in the realization that we are all here to LOVE one another!

Love is the way!
I am Positively Positive!
By Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years

]]> Thu, 15 Jul 2004 12:09:00 EDT http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/18128 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/17930
A report released on Tuesday July 6th 2004 by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV said “prevention efforts reach one in five people worldwide”.

Is it any wonder, that the HIV infection rates are higher than estimated when the average person has little knowledge of HIV and AIDS? Where is HIV education? HIV education is near to none existent! If you are an HIV+ individual or with an organization working to educate, then you may have a wealth of knowledge but still most people know very little. As an individual living with HIV and involved in creating HIV awareness around the world, I constantly hear the many mis-conceptions people have about HIV and AIDS.

HIV needs to be in the media each and every day!

Talking about safe sex and the need to use a condom or providing condoms is not working! HIV is a global problem which demands attention yet those of us working tirelessly are unable to get articles or /letters published in newspapers, events covered, or messages conveyed to help educate the public. Snippets of news and safe sex commercials are not effective enough. The time the media gives to HIV/AIDS coverage is that of news covering a new drug or conference or a statistic. More familiar, media coverage of the sick! The media has fallen short in reaching people globally. Misconceptions continue.

How can there be any real understanding about HIV/AIDS and HIV prevention, without the necessary information reported?
People believe HIV infection will never happen to them and many still associate HIV/AIDS with gay people. Yet men, women and children of every race and religious or spiritual belief are being infected with HIV every day, all over the world! Even the Vatican continues to oppose condom use to fight AIDS while HIV infection escalates!
People who engage in unprotected sex risk infecting themselves and others. By NOT practicing safe sex, they are at greater risk of being infected with multiple strains and causing progression to disease. Unprotected sex puts individuals at risk of not only contracting HIV but of being resistance to all the drugs the infected individual has taken.

The heterosexual community is not practicing safe sex, which is evident in the statistics of HIV infection amongst heterosexuals worldwide. Studies show that anal sex is common throughout the world and in some countries 60% of adults practice anal sex. Women in the United States are reported to be seven times more likely to engage in unprotected anal sex, than men having sex with men. Condom usage is lower for heterosexual anal sex compared to vaginal sex. Many men who have sex with men do not define themselves as gay. More and more women are being infected with HIV through sexual intercourse with their male partner, unaware their partner is bisexual! In heterosexual relationships, infidelity is also responsible for increases in HIV infection among women.

With antiretroviral therapies and fewer deaths associated with these treatments, many gay people have discontinued safe sex practices. HIV infection is not disclosed to partners and anal sex without a condom is increasing at alarming rates. So now HIV infection is on the rise again amongst gay people.

People think because we have antiretroviral therapies there is no need to practice safe sex or worry. There is no guarantee these medications will work on everyone! One out of every 10 Europeans newly infected with HIV has a drug-resistant strain of the virus according to a study released at the 2003 International AIDS Society’s 2nd Conference, on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, held in Paris. Multiple sex partners mean multiple infections can occur with the likelihood of infection with more than one HIV strain. This places an individual in greater danger of illness and or death as well as any person they infect. Some strains of HIV have been shown to cause illness and death rapidly regardless of immune status. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated 170 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C. Being infected with HIV may also include being infected with Hepatitis C along with other sexually transmitted diseases such as; syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, human papilloma virus (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and hepatitis A, B, and/or C.

Even though the numbers of AIDS cases in poorer regions are growing rapidly, the problem with HIV is worldwide; people everywhere need to be aware they are at risk of infection if they have unprotected sex!

This is the kind of information that every single person needs to be aware of if we are to stop the spread of HIV!

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years
]]> Wed, 07 Jul 2004 15:30:00 EDT http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/17930 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/17803
Comments made by Canadian Bradford McIntyre in Mexico City at the THE MASCULINE SEXUALITY: NEW PERSPECTIVE Conference provided by Enkidu Magazine, Web Edition: http://www.enkidumagazine.com/
Monday June 28th, at 10:00am in Bgay Bproud at Amberes 12-B, Zona rosa, in MEXICO CITY.

(LA SEXUALIDAD MASCULINA: NUEVAS PERSPECTIVAS Conferencia: Lunes 28 de Junio 2004 a las 10:00 Hrs.)
http://www.enkidumagazine.com/art/2004/180504/E_036_180504.htm

Correspondents included: Jose F. Colo'n (Puerto Rico), Coordinator of Patients of AIDS Healthy Political pro, organization who pleads for the rights of the PVVIH/SIDA in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A long time survivor living with HIV since 1984, Canadian Bradford McIntyre announced publicly in 1994 that he was living with HIV. He is a dynamic promoter in subjects of health and well-being of the people who live with HIV and AIDS.. Alonso Hernandez (Mexico) historian and activist in groups against the VIH-SIDA, human pro-right, pro-liberation of the sexualities and loving proto-diva of the Mexican chacales. Yuri Herzberg Tovar (Canada/México), geographer and student of the masters in politicas sciences in the UNAM. At the moment this leading an investigation on subjects to queer in Mexico. THE MASCULINE SEXUALITY: NEW PERSPECTIVE Conference: Monday 28 of June 2004 to the 10:00 Hrs.


MEDIA ACTIOIN ON HIV/AIDS

People infected with HIV are no different from anyone else, only that they have been infected with a virus! Recognizing this can end judgment! Or, are we to become a society which stigmatizes, discriminates and ignores the sick?

How foolish it is to judge what should instead be the need to recognize those who are in need of help and our need to give help.

This stigma and discrimination created around HIV and AIDS is the insane idea people have that they are separate from those infected. This is the insane idea that threatens society! And anything that threatens society should not be neglected. It should be given priority!

We must stop the interference caused by discrimination and what will happen if we simply refuse to recognize again and again, the needs of those suffering from illness and disease!

Only then is it possible to look and see what must be done!

I urge the media/reporters, to make HIV in the news a priority! It is the responsibility of each you (I feel the need to say demand, but I will use the word convince) to convince the owners and publishers of news programming, newspapers and magazines to meet the world needs for HIV education.

If you accept this challenge and accept the idea of making room for change in the number of articles published on HIV and AIDS, we will all experience its affects!

I am counting on your persistence and the change it will inevitably bring! The power of change is never reorganized if it is not in place!

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years
www.PositivelyPositive.ca


]]> Thu, 01 Jul 2004 20:07:00 EDT http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/17803 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/16260
Education is paramount if we are to reach individuals infected with HIV and those living with AIDS. Obviously, our best resource is from those who are affected by the disease! Information is not reaching those most in need and there is a certain mistrust of science and medicine. People are afraid. Many have only seen or heard of people dying and many people believe the drugs will kill them. It is important that they learn from those whose lives have been saved and who have benefited from the drug treatments, renewing a quality of life they would not have had otherwise.

Who better to explain the realities of living with HIV?

Infected people have the experience of living with the disease and its management. Considerable numbers have educated themselves in every aspect.

Who better to explain that being HIV+ is not the same as having AIDS?

Multitudes of people believe they are better off not knowing they have tested positive. They are under the impression that infection with HIV means they have AIDS. Their incorrect belief that a positive test assures that they will automatically die prevents them from choosing to be tested. They don’t want to know.

Who better to explain the importance of knowing your immune system (CD4) and its level of functioning and the need to be aware of the degree of viral replication (viral load) through regular blood investigation?

Who better to explain the realities of the treatment regimen and the definite benefits of pharmaceuticals?

Who better than individuals living with HIV and AIDS to explain the importance of nutrition and the many alternative and complementary therapies available, which may aid in the management of wellness, with or without medications?

Who better to show you can live with HIV!

HIV needs to be in the media each and every day!

Information is sadly lacking. Snippets of news and safe sex commercials are not effective enough. The media has fallen short in reaching people globally. Misconceptions continue. Individuals are not getting tested. They are afraid to seek medical attention and do not realize there is much they can do to prevent the progression of HIV to AIDS. By the time many do get tested, it is often too late and they are already experiencing illness.

People who engage in unprotected sex risk infecting themselves and others. By not practicing safe sex, they are at greater risk of being infected with multiple strains and causing progression to disease.


''We estimate that roughly half of all people living with HIV either don't know that they are infected, or they are not in care, or both,'' Dr. Harold Jaffe, acting director of the National Center for HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Tuberculosis Prevention, a part of the CDC.

An HIV test allows you to know if you are infected. The only way to determine how HIV is reacting in your body is with regular blood work!

The general public is unaware of the many realities of HIV or that people can live with HIV. Here in Canada, PRIDE VISION Television Network (The World’s First GLBT Television Network) has programming with HIV/AIDS news, interviews, talk shows, shorts, documentaries, movies, prevention messages and more. Pride Vision programming covers GLBT related issues and it covers every aspect of HIV/AIDS in detail. It shows that HIV affects everyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, colour, and religion or spiritual beliefs.

Efforts to educate and tackle the stigma are hampered greatly when people living with HIV are not seen and heard discussing these issues.

Mainstream networks should follow the example of the PRIDE VISION network. With the current body of knowledge available, more efforts are necessary through every branch of the media, to reach and educate many more people. We must keep these messages highly visible if we are to move away from the ignorance, the fear and the stigma! This will encourage disclosure!

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years
Vancouver, Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca






]]> Wed, 05 May 2004 14:47:00 EDT http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/16260 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/15729 by Bradford McIntyre

Not to take away from the seriousness of HIV, but it is time to let go of the fear!

How we view disease, along with the constant bombardment of fear associated with HIV is cause for alarm. We must educate ourselves, those in the medical profession and our future doctors to address a broader understanding and treatment of disease. The fear and terror associated with HIV and the fact that the medical profession continues to contribute to fear is the first thing we need to overcome! Studies with healthy animals show that when subjected to constant fear and stress they surrender the will to live. Countless deaths of individuals infected with HIV can be attributed to fear. Telling people they are going to progress to disease and die, just because they have been infected with HIV is not true! Yet, these are the messages continually expressed by many in the medical profession.

Even with the latest drug treatments and decline in deaths, many in the medical profession still convey information to patients in a way that promotes fear. Patients are not recommended to take HIV drug treatments, but patients are told to take the drugs or they will progress to disease and die. Physicians should give test results and recommendations for possible interventions and treatments and should extend support without this negative dialogue. My concern is that doctors often provide no hope!

In 1985, I was told by an AIDS specialist to go home, inform my family, arrange my finances and funeral and that I had six months to live! Large numbers of individuals have been given this inhumane death sentence and this continues today! No one should be told he or she has six months to live! Many may give up and not pursue healthy initiatives since the situation was conveyed with less than a hopeful dialogue. Unfortunately, this does not occur just with HIV, but with many physicians who treat all types of illness. This negative dialogue has seriously impacted upon many lives emotionally.

Is it ethical in the diagnosis of disease, to give patients a probable life expectancy? Patients are given negative messaging by the medical profession and told they have six months to live or told there is nothing more that can be done! Health professionals should teach patients to take responsibility for their health and not to be victims! Physicians should assist patients to live! It is important to recognize an individual’s willpower. Many patients are told that they will die and do! Many others discover through their will and through the rediscovery of the purpose for being, the ability to live! Often, they live for much longer periods of time than predicted!

Individuals involved in first aid, paramedics, doctors and nurses in emergency rooms and hospitals, they all know first hand the importance to be calm and give patients confidence, avoiding panic and fear! This is equally important in a physician’s office and what physicians have been taught and trained to do! It is extremely important for physicians to convey test results and possible treatments accurately and without personal opinions, sarcasm, ridicule and fear tactics! Conveying all available treatments and means to provide help in a supportive and positive way!

When relaying information, doctors must presume that the patient does not have any previous knowledge of their problem. Explanations of test results or treatments should be given in a supportive tone, non-threatening, non-fatalistic and non-judgmental. The language and voice used to convey information is very important and a part of what we call a ‘bedside manner’. It is even more important to receive diagnostic information without personal opinions. Relaying information to a patient ensuring they understand as much as possible! NOT placing limitations on a patient's life! Making individuals aware of how much control they have over their lives. Consider to what extent information may undermine health and lack of purpose, as well as affecting or undermining other areas of a person's life. Many health professionals do nothing to eliminate stress and contribute to that stress in avoidable ways.

There are many people who are very much in touch with their bodies and know what is going on in their body. The medical profession can recognize this, rather than dismissing it entirely and relying only on medical knowledge and resources.

Ron Rosenes, a Board Member of the Canadian Treatment Action Council says, “One of the hallmarks of western or allopathic medicine is the belief, proven with microscopes in the 19th Century, that germs cause disease and that killing germs or in this case HIV virus, is the best way to restore health. CAM practices generally strive to promote healing by viewing the individual as a part of a larger framework that includes body, mind, spirit and environment.”

Many people who are in touch with their bodies have incorporated nutrition, exercise, controlling stress, herbal and dietary supplements, homeopathy and naturopathy, meditation, visualization and making plans for the future. All of which contributed to their well-being. Recognition of this by the medical profession is lacking. It has been my experience and that of others that insufficient attention is given to the patient who is aware of his or her health and body. When a patient includes alternative therapies in conjunction with medical resources, frequently physicians ignore anything other than the medical resources!

Dr. Jon Kaiser says, "Many physicians have little faith in the body's ability to heal and that is why they promote reliance on drugs.”

I was told the virus would kill me. Repeatedly, this is expressed to others and me, during discussions with physicians. Patients come out of doctors' offices and AIDS clinics teary eyed, faced with fear conveyed by physicians! However, I do not feel this is proper dialogue. This kind of dialogue does conjure up fear in most individuals, affecting them psychologically as well as physically. AIDS patients do not have to be hopeless, helpless and passive in the face of the illness!

We need to find better ways for providing health care and improving the quality of life for people living with serious disease. We can recognize the influence that our thoughts and emotions have on our health and the importance of holistic therapies that nourish all aspects of being. Positive thinking, nutrition, exercise, supplements and spiritual resources, all contribute to wellness and a longer life span. All this, we should be able to discuss with health professionals, allowing for a peace of mind and a quality of life not given by time allotted diagnosis. I realize the difficulty in making change. However, I do believe we can all work together in order to educate, ensuring proper information and awareness. I am committed to doing everything I can in order to create awareness!

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years
Vancouver, B.C. Canada

]]> Fri, 16 Apr 2004 16:30:00 EDT http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/15729 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/15121
From the time I was told that I had “six months to live” by an AIDS specialist back in 1985, (infected in 1984) I learned from other people infected with HIV and included supplements and complementary therapies. These kept me healthy and were responsible for allowing me to address health issues, boost my immune system and avoid going on HIV/AIDS medications for over a dozen years.

It was not that I did not get sick or need medical attention throughout the years, because I certainly did. There were countless doctors' appointments, blood tests at the hospital to keep watch on how my body was reacting to having this virus and more times than I can count trying to fix whatever complications appeared. Throughout these years, large numbers of infected individuals went from a weakened immune system, to no immune system, to one sickness after another, after another. With the advent of newer and better HIV/AIDS medications and a much broader understanding of this illness, individuals have been able to bounce back and have wellness restored with the aid of combination therapies. Equally, throughout everything, sick or well, complementary therapies are a mainstay to address: diarrhea, nausea, neuropathy, irritated skin and rashes, wasting, fatigue, loss of appetite, immune suppression and more, when it comes to living with HIV. We have learned a much broader understanding of this illness!

After approximately 13 years since diagnosis of infection with HIV, I did become seriously ill. In July of 1998, I developed pneumocystis-carinii-pneumonia, known as PCP. I did not tolerate the medication given me to treat the PCP. My health deteriorated and it looked as though I might die. My only recourse was to try an HIV/AIDS drug combination to boost my compromised immune system enough to fight off the pneumonia. That is exactly what happened. On December 1st, World AIDS Day, 1998, I started my first ever HIV/AIDS drug combination treatment. After just four weeks on the medication, my cd4 count of 40 went up a couple of hundred points; eradicated the PCP and the viral load of several million viral particles went down to thousands. With a reduced viral load, I could once again absorb nutrients. I regained the weight I lost and started to strengthen my body through nutrition, exercise and complementary therapies.

People who knew me were very surprised that I started HIV/AIDS medications. They knew I was very involved in addressing HIV infection through alternative and complementary therapies. Although I was fortunate to have lived 13 years without highly active antiretroviral therapies (HARRT), I was not opposed to them. I was very successful addressing my health concerns without them, but I was aware of the benefits of pharmaceutical treatments and kept myself well informed. I knew there was a possibility of having to go on them one day. It was my hope that I could maintain good health without them, or by the time I needed them that they would be much improved from drugs used in earlier years. It worked out for me in the long run. Without the drug combination therapy, I would not have survived. They saved my life!

Without the availability of these drugs, there would be far more suffering and deaths. Some individuals do not tolerate these medications, as they can be toxic. This is true of the treatments for many people who live with cancer and other illness, but you do not see activists denouncing the use of these life saving drugs. Myself and countless others have gone on to enjoy life, aided by these medications and it is very important to recognize the enormous benefits provided! With any illness, not everyone benefits from the treatments available.

After two years, my HIV/AIDS drug combination began to fail. A genome test showed I was resistant to all the HIV/AIDS medications, even though my only drug usage consisted of AZT for 9 months (years earlier) and the current drug treatment. In 2000, with a resistance to all the existing HIV/AIDS medications, I enrolled in a drug study for a new protease inhibitor, Kaletra. Within the first four weeks on the drug, my cd4 count climbed to 340 and my viral load was undetectable (less than 50 viral particles). Obviously, we are moving forward in the development of more effective drug treatments.

After two years the drug combination was no longer able to continue to increase my CD4 count further and the HIV/AIDS drugs were unable to keep my viral load at undetectable. We must not; we cannot, discount the ability of individuals to have a positive impact and create wellness, using every available means they have to combat the HIV virus. These latter years, along with my HIV medications, I have strengthened my immune system (CD4 count) substantially and decreased the viral load to undetectable using regular vitamin C intravenous injections and other vitamins and minerals. With my involvement in the treatment of HIV/AIDS using vitamin C intravenous therapy, provided by my naturopathic physician, this allowed me to have my first opportunity in five years to go off all HIV/AIDS medications and enjoy a 2-month holiday (treatment interruption) off all drugs ( Summer of 2003).

A strong immune system can fight HIV and a higher cd4 count can often prevent or sustain viral replication. My vitamin C intravenous therapy costs less than $70.00. I have treatments twice a month at a cost of less than $150.00 a month. My CPP pension is $9,663.60 and out of that I paid $900.00, which covered my vitamin C therapy for a year. The research on intravenous Vitamin C and the benefits is overwhelming. However, this treatment is not covered by health care and I am not always able to afford the treatment. The HIV/AIDS combination cocktail I used cost over $5,000.00 a month and I was on a minimal drug regimen, of 3 different pills. Patients can be on handfuls of different pills a day, at exorbitant costs! Individuals fighting illness, often one after another, may be using many antibiotics, plus HIV/AIDS combination therapies. They may develop resistance to HIV/AIDS drugs and antibiotic resistance!

This is often a frustration of mine that people who are sick may not be able to afford vitamin supplements and complementary therapies, let alone more costly treatments that are available. Many suffer and even die because they cannot afford these treatments, which are not provided for by health care. Some people may have health care coverage or insurance but many do not. If you are wealthy and sick, you can afford to go to healing centers and have treatments, but what about the majority who cannot? I’ll never understand how we can continue to exclude complementary therapies from health care when they provide benefits, which may keep people out of hospitals and avoid the use of expensive pharmaceuticals, thereby providing relief to an already burdened health care system.

It really is important that people take the time and research the benefits of complementary and alternative therapies and the positive impacts on your immune system. We have all these resources and we should be combining them rather than saying the only way to treat HIV and AIDS is with pharmaceuticals.

We may have jumped the gun and put all our efforts into pharmaceuticals when it came to fighting AIDS.

Recognizing the ability of the body to heal has prompted many to choose to combat HIV in a non-medical direction. Often, people are effective in preventing illness for years before drug intervention is ever necessary or not necessary at all. Others have continued to live without any sign of HIV/AIDS related opportunistic infections or disease. Equally so, many people who are on drug treatments have learned to address the importance of diet, exercise, alternative therapies and supplements, mind, body and spirit. Let’s not close our minds to what is right in front of us showing endless opportunities. These are opportunities for us to learn, grow and have healthy bodies!

by Bradford McIntyre
Vancouver, Canada
wwwPositivelyPositive.ca
]]> Wed, 24 Mar 2004 02:15:00 EST http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/15121 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/15000 by Bradford McIntyre

The United Nations Population Fund has declared HIV/AIDS is a young people’s disease. Individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 are infected every 14 seconds. That means a total of 6,000 people a day are being infected with HIV. Disclosure is necessary if we are going to prevent the spread of AIDS. HIV prevention methods are not working. It is up to people who are infected to disclose the fact that they have been infected with HIV.

After living in fear and having moved so far away from family and friends so no one would see me get sick or die, an extraordinary woman came into my life. She told me “I had suffered long enough and hard enough and it was time to get on with my life”! Undoubtedly, I knew this was true! Is this not true for many of us? Have we not suffered enough?

I had been living in fear and alone for 4 years. Would I spend another four years or longer, alone and waiting to die? Right then I decided to turn my life around and that was the beginning for me, the beginning of showing up for life! Without fear!

Having disclosed you are infected with HIV eliminates the dis-ease associated with hiding the fact that you are HIV positive. That means; you can feel comfortable and confident and not have fear when you disclose to a sexual partner. So you’re not going to have added stress, worry and guilt. If you don’t disclose to a partner right away, when you do decide to tell them, they are going to ask why you didn’t tell them. This is when problems arise! There may be those who are afraid and withdraw, but there are people who are not afraid and who will be there to support you. How can anyone receive the help they need if their family and friends are not aware of what is going on in their life? Many who are living with HIV are afraid to disclose, but have never disclosed to anyone! They assume that everyone will pull away. You can tell people that your HIV+ and them not run away. There are many people living with HIV who have loving family and friends and who are in relationships, me included. My partner is not HIV+.

We have moved from a time when there was no understanding and no treatment available to where we now have a much broader understanding and treatment options. It is the people who are actually HIV+ who are not disclosing who are actually keeping the stigma alive and many are causing the spread of HIV!

People who are living with HIV are not asking to be different. But, the stigma of AIDS is still causing people to be afraid to disclose. I know that depending on where you live, it may be impossible for some people to disclose their HIV status. And I am concerned that the reason they do not disclose, is because they are afraid. This is due to the fact that they do not feel safe! Concerned with discrimination! Efforts to ensure safety must be a priority and efforts must be stepped up! Governments have a responsibility to educate the public and assure individuals that their rights will be protected and discrimination will not be tolerated. Making it clear to those who do discriminate; they will be dealt with and prosecuted if necessary.

We need everyone who is HIV positive to come out if we are to get rid of the stigma associated with HIV.

Also, so we can recognize that it is a fact; people who are infected with HIV are using supplements; vitamins, herbs, botanicals and tinctures in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. They are using alternative and complementary therapies that have been successful at eradicating the virus, bringing down the viral load. Many have been fortunate in bringing down the viral load to undetectable. They have been able to increase the efficacy of the HIV/AIDS medications. They have been able to improve and reduce the side effects of the drugs. They have been able to boost the immune system when the medications could not.

With or without HIV medications, there ARE millions of people around the world using nutrition and alternative and complementary therapies to combat HIV and AIDS. The supplements and alternative therapies are readily available but there is a monopoly that exists among the pharmaceutical companies and the medical profession so alternative therapies are not given there fair share of recognition in treating HIV and AIDS. In order for there to be this recognition we need the voices of individuals infected with HIV to stand and have their voices heard and counted. How long will people sit on the sidelines, letting others do all the work?

I often think about the countless people who in the beginning of this epidemic, worked tirelessly to break down the barriers of fear and discrimination in their own lives as well as for the sake of others. Who also worked successfully at preventing the spread of AIDS! Many died in the process! What would they think if they were to see that today people are still afraid to disclose HIV infection and that many continue to spread HIV?

We need to ensure that people infected with HIV are cared for. People need proper food, clean water, sanitation and every available means to combat HIV and AIDS. I too may not live to see a time when everyone who is HIV positive does not have to concern themselves with confidentiality but who can be free of fear and discrimination. For as long as I can, I will continue to work at breaking down the barriers of fear and discrimination, just like those who went before me! It was they who made it possible for me to be OUT ABOUT HIV!

Bradford McIntyre
Vancouver, Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca

]]> Fri, 19 Mar 2004 19:18:00 EST http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/15000 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/14963 by Bradford McIntyre

There is more power in people knowing I am HIV positive, than there ever was in the fear and hiding. The answers are in letting go of fear! Society has created a huge closet housing many shelves. Shelves for Gay, BI sexual, Lesbian and Tran gendered, but even more shelves housing drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, physical and mental abuse, bulimia, anorexia, cancer, AIDS, dis-ease and disease. It is time for us all to come out of the closet and tell people what is going on in our life. Then and only then can people know what is going on, support you, and if need be, offer help! We don’t have to go through life alone; there are people who will Show Up if we let them know who we are and what is going on in our life! Instead of deciding what others can handle or know, it is time to come out of the closet and truly reveal ourselves. Then and only then can we be our true selves!

So much fear has been created around HIV infection, and AIDS. The camouflage uniforms worn in the army disguise and hide, so not to draw attention, able to blend in. The fear associated with HIV and AIDS, has kept us in the dark! Many have feared loosing their family, friends, home and job, causing people to hide the fact they have been infected with HIV. So no one can see, hear, or know the truths of those living with HIV. Most often when individuals die from HIV related illness or AIDS, the funeral announcements rarely say AIDS was the cause, but use cancer, heart disease or any other camouflage. How can we tell the real number of HIV related deaths? How can the public know without the truth? We are in the dark because the whole picture is not being told! Individuals dealing with HIV and all those around them who are affected but not infected, they know these truths!

What we don't see are the great numbers of individuals infected living, living a happy and full life, whether it is with or without drug treatments! We don't see or hear about the countless individuals who have been infected, who are not using HIV drug intervention! We also miss seeing and hearing about individuals engaged in drug treatments, who go off their medications for months and even years!

We don’t see or hear about individuals infected with HIV, who have never had any immune suppression and have never had any HIV replicated in their bodies! We don’t see all the people who were in wheel chairs due to neuropathy, wasting or other complications, who recover and return to wellness! We don’t see or hear about HIV infected mothers, who gave birth, and now their children are grown and they are having children! And we don't see it because the fear has people afraid to talk about HIV and AIDS or disclose they have been infected. We don't have people coming forward to tell their side of HIV and AIDS. How are we going to get people to come forward when the stigma attached to HIV and AIDS has created so much fear?

People are hiding their HIV infection, yet it makes no sense to believe that everyone who is infected will get sick! This is likened to the early days of cancer, hiding the fact, only whispering the C word! Everyone who develops cancer does not die; it makes no sense to believe everyone who is infected with HIV will get sick or die, either! We don't see people who benefit from the drugs and have their health restored, many returning to the work force! We don't see or hear about individuals who test positive for HIV or have AIDS, in relationships, falling in love! We don't see the many relationships where one partner is infected and one is not, and the partner who is negative, is not infected!

Even though it has been well over 20 years since the emergence of the AIDS virus, there still exists today fear and discrimination for those infected. Even with the progress and success in treatments, and fewer deaths, people are still afraid to tell others that they have been infected! The fear and hiding continues because most people are not willing to come forward and have their voice heard. Fortunately there are people who are NOT afraid to talk about the fact they have been infected, who are working to create awareness and education in the many issues surrounding HIV/AIDS.

We didn’t understand the AIDS virus and panic occurred. But, we have moved from a place of confusion and little understanding, to a place where we now have a much broader understanding. Now, we can eliminate the fear and promote a new awareness, relying on education and a wide variety of treatment options. With choice there is Hope!

With proper awareness and education, we can go about living our lives responsibly, "showing up for life", without fear! Not afraid to tell people we are living with HIV and talking about HIV, or conversations about safe sex. Letting go of the fear, we can all talk to our family and friends, and co-workers we discuss our personal lives with. Our employer can know health related information. And, if need be, we can ask for help and receive help! We can also eliminate false perceptions and judgments that were created from not having the right information, and prevent the spread of AIDS.

These 20 years spent cohabiting with HIV have taught me a great deal! I learned about my spirit, my mind, and body. I searched for and learned about alternative and complimentary therapies and incorporated them into my life. I chose a healthy lifestyle, and worked at being responsible for how I think and feel, and what I put into my body. I exercised my mind and spirit, and my physical body. I learned the power of faith and prayer in healing, our own as well as the faith and prayers of those who care and Love us. I learned there is more power in people knowing the Truth, than there ever is in fear and hiding. I learned the abundance of life does not come from what one provides for oneself, but it is found in our connectedness. I would not be where I am today if it were not for all the support and Love from the many people in my life!

Bradford McIntyre
Vancouver, B.C.
www.PositivelyPositive.ca
]]> Thu, 18 Mar 2004 14:30:00 EST http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/14963 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/14805
On November 28th 1985, I was told I had six months to live! After four years of living in fear, my life took a dramatic turn and I embarked on a journey away from fear! Healing does not necessarily mean cure of disease, but healing our mind and transforming our body to realize its full potential, joy and purpose. Learning about the influence that our thoughts have on our life and health!. Living today as healthy and as fully as you can, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually!

The Abundance of Life does not come from what one can provide for oneself, but it is provided in our connectedness. I would not be here today if were not for all the many people in my life. I Show UP For Life! Life's a celebration, you don't need and invitation to celebrate life!

We don't have to carry the fears that were created around HIV! Fear is like putting up a stop sign for living! There is more power in people knowing the Truth, than there ever will be in the fear and hiding. While dealing with HIV and AIDS, dedicated people have worked tirelessly, creating awareness in the many areas related to HIV and AIDS. Individuals spoke out, ignored the HIV stigma, and they broke down the barriers of fear and discrimination in their own lives, as well as for the sake of others.

Most of what caused the fear and stigma originally, does not exist today! We have treatment options and people are living long and productive lives. More and more people are out about HIV. In the earlier years I hid away and felt alone, but since going public and disclosing my status nearly ten years now, I have a freedom I did not have before! With this freedom I am committed to breaking down the barriers of fear and discrimination globally! We are ALL connected!

Whether you are affected by, or infected with HIV, we must cross those boundaries of Fear and Discrimination. To join Our Hearts and Our Hands, in the realization we are ALL here to Love one another.

I join with you that we create a shift in thinking around HIV/AIDS, and All disease! Love is the way!

I am Positively Positive

Bradford McIntyre
Vancouver, Canada
www.positivelypositive.ca
]]> Sat, 13 Mar 2004 13:35:00 EST http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/14805 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/14698
Initially, there were no drugs available to treat HIV/AIDS, but substantial numbers of infected individuals collaborated, shared experiences and found an alternative way. Without medications, people incorporated proper nutrition, exercise and complementary therapies into their lives. People have been successful at staying healthy and/or having wellness restored time after time using complementary therapies, with or without HIV/AIDS medications. We must acknowledge and give credibility to this reality! We must acknowledge all of the many contributions by people infected with HIV. They are the same people who raised funds and started AIDS organizations, thereby providing and developing treatment libraries, which contained files on all the alternative treatments used by people living with HIV/AIDS. When HIV/AIDS drugs did become available, HIV/AIDS research and drug treatment information was included in these libraries.

Researchers, pharmaceutical companies and the medical profession have learned valuable information from infected individuals. Those affected were responsible for instituting what is referred to as treatment holidays, or structured treatment interruptions. A daily regimen while confined to a lifestyle of taking medications and the fact that many were unable to handle the side effects of the HIV/AIDS medications, prompted individuals to stop taking their medications, for months or years. The knowledge gained from these people opened the eyes of researchers and the medical profession. This facilitated change and stopped the insanity of the HIV/AIDS treatment protocol referred to as ‘Hit them hard, hit them early’! It is because of the information gained from people living with HIV that we have moved on and recognition is now given to the importance of individualized treatments. People who have been infected have brought about the understanding of which drugs work and which do not. In this way, they have voiced the need for more effective and affordable drug treatments -- and more!

However, there is an abundance of information, which is not being provided by infected individuals and obviously; this can be attributed to the stigma attached to HIV. Because of the fear, there are people who are not reporting how they are managing their illness. Their status is not known, so they cannot be counted. The numbers of individuals who have chosen natural methods is substantial. Without all the voices of those people heard, this has allowed pharmaceutical companies and the medical profession to have a monopoly over the direction of treatment and treatment information. It is time for affected people to make a stand and have their voices heard! The use of HIV/AIDS medications is one direction of treatment and natural healing with the benefits of complementary therapies is another. Both must be recognized equally! Time, energy and money must be given to both if we are to save millions and millions of lives!

It is time for complementary therapies to be brought to the forefront and on an equal level with pharmaceuticals. We have to persuade everyone, pharmaceutical companies and their shareholders, government, the medical profession, media and the public to recognize the importance of using every available means when it comes to fighting HIV/AIDS and all disease!

While dealing with HIV or AIDS, dedicated people have worked tirelessly, creating awareness in the many areas related to HIV and AIDS. Individuals spoke out; ignored the HIV stigma and broke down the barriers of fear and discrimination in their own lives as well as for the sake of others. Among the varied issues, many pioneered the importance of complementary therapies and their uses in treating HIV/AIDS. For some, the benefits from their efforts were not always realized while they were alive. Where some left off striving, others are going onward. This challenging work will continue until science, the medical profession, pharmaceutical companies, governments and media combine all resources to promote the usage of complementary therapies as an integral part of the methods for treatment of illnesses.

by Bradford McIntyre
Vancouver,Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca

]]> Mon, 08 Mar 2004 13:49:00 EST http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/14698 49.25 -123.133333349.25-123.1333333 http://BradfordMc.tigblog.org/post/14679
As an individual living with HIV for 20 years, I have been working to break down the barriers of fear and discrimination for nearly a decade now. I believe there is a serious problem stemming from the lack of media coverage, when it comes to educating people about HIV/AIDS.

How can there be any real understanding about HIV/AIDS and HIV prevention, without the necessary information reported?

HIV/AIDS reported in the news is minimal, at a time when it needs to be at the forefront! Why is this? Money is being spent trying to determine ways to provide HIV prevention but in order to reach everyone; HIV needs to be in the news! Talking about safe sex and the need to use a condom or providing condoms is not working! HIV is a global problem which demands attention yet those of us working tirelessly are unable to get articles or /letters published in newspapers, events covered, or messages conveyed to help educate the public. Who better to address the situation than individuals who are living with HIV, or AIDS?

People need to see others who are infected with HIV, to see they are not afraid to tell others they are infected. Yet, science, medical, pharmaceutical, government and the media has ignored much of what individuals infected have to say, which is a major contribution when it comes to understanding HIV and AIDS. There is an abundance of information which is not being provided by individuals infected, and this can obviously be attributed to the stigma attached to HIV, but, there are those of us who are infected with HIV who are not afraid, who are willing to have our voices heard and willing to do what ever it takes to help create awareness. Many of us know the severity of HIV on a global scale as well as the realities of living infected with HIV. The public needs to understand HIV and let go of the fear, each person taking part in a global prevention strategy.

Unfortunately because of the stigma associated with HIV, still, people are not letting others know they have been infected. Who better to reach these people as well as informing the general public than individuals living with HIV! But we do not see people living with HIV explaining the realities. The time the media gives to HIV/AIDS coverage is that of news covering a new drug or conference or a statistic. More familiar, media coverage of the sick! For many of us, even though illness has been a constant, we have crossed the boundaries of fear and discrimination, in our own lives as well as for the sake of others. Our voice not only needs to be heard but I believe our voices are necessary if the stigma is going to change. We can no longer continue as we have!

People believe HIV infection will never happen to them and many still associate HIV/AIDS with gay people. Yet men, women and children of every race and religious or spiritual belief are being infected with HIV every day, all over the world! Even the Vatican continues to oppose condom use to fight AIDS while HIV infection escalates!

For years, the gay community successfully promoted and practiced safe sex practices, which reduced the number of infections dramatically over a period of ten years. With antiretroviral therapies and fewer deaths associated with these treatments, many gay people have discontinued safe sex practices. HIV infection is not disclosed to partners and anal sex without a condom is increasing at alarming rates. So now HIV infection is on the rise again amongst gay people.

Also, the heterosexual community is not practicing safe sex, which is evident in the statistics of HIV infection amongst heterosexuals worldwide. Seventy five percent of the world population infected with HIV is heterosexual. Fifty percent of all HIV infections are in women. There has been insufficient time or attention given to the dispersal of proper information through the media regarding HIV and AIDS and HIV prevention.

Studies show that anal sex is common throughout the world and in some countries 60% of adults practice anal sex. Women in the United States are reported to be seven times more likely to engage in unprotected anal sex, than men having sex with men. Condom usage is lower for heterosexual anal sex compared to vaginal sex. Many men who have sex with men do not define themselves as gay. More and more women are being infected with HIV through sexual intercourse with their male partner, unaware their partner is bisexual! In heterosexual relationships, infidelity is also responsible for increases in HIV infection among women.

With antiretroviral therapies and fewer deaths associated with these HIV/AIDS treatments, many people have discontinued safe sex practices. There is no doubt this situation is going to have an enormous effect on all our lives. The United Nations predicts “AIDS will cut population by 300 million; 300 million fewer people in the world by the year 2050 from the impact of AIDS.”

People think because we have antiretroviral therapies there is no need to practice safe sex or worry. There is no guarantee these medications will work on everyone! An infected individual may be resistant to all the drugs taken by the person who transmitted the disease. One out of every 10 Europeans newly infected with HIV has a drug-resistant strain of the virus according to a study released at the 2003 International AIDS Society’s 2nd Conference, on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, held in Paris. Multiple sex partners mean multiple infections can occur with the likelihood of infection with more than one HIV strain. This places an individual in greater danger of illness and or death as well as any person they infect. Some strains of HIV have been shown to cause illness and death rapidly regardless of immune status. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated 170 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C. Being infected with HIV may also include being infected with Hepatitis C along with other sexually transmitted diseases such as; syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, human papilloma virus (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and hepatitis A, B, and/or C.

There is the perception that if you are infected, HIV is manageable. Managing HIV/AIDS can become a full time job! It involves management of your health through doctors’ appointments, hospital visits for blood work and appointments at hospital pharmacies to pick up your necessary HIV/AIDS medications. You must manage the side effects of the drugs and drug resistance. There are the demands of managing to overcome each opportunistic infection. All of these are essential to manage to stay alive!

HIV infection does not occur without an opportunity!

HIV can be stopped, but without more public awareness of the risks involved, safe sex practices and the realities of people living with HIV, the numbers of infections will continue to grow and more lives devastated! This awareness cannot be provided by AIDS organizations alone! Government and the media need to play a more active role in HIV prevention. The truth about HIV infection needs to be told!

Health authorities predict by the year 2010, there will be 45 million new infections and 70 million people will die of AIDS by 2020.

UNAIDS estimates as many as two thirds, of the 45 million new HIV infections expected by 2010 could be prevented if prevention programs were immediately expanded.

by Bradford McIntyre
Vancouver, Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca








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The truth is that there are millions of people living to whom HIV has not caused illness and death. This information brings joy and hope to the heart of any person who has ever dreaded the onset of AIDS.

Initially, we only saw the deaths of those infected with HIV. Science, medicine and the pharmaceutical companies looked for answers, but fear set the standard that HIV infection was a fatal disease. Many cried out for answers. Pressure led to the release of drugs and the direction was set! High dosages and problems with toxicity played a major role in many of the lives considered plagued with HIV. What has happened is that the pharmaceutical companies have manipulated the shape of AIDS. They provide the medical profession with treatment information and dosages. As well, they are providing funding and treatment information to the AIDS organizations and in return AIDS organizations are promoting the treatment information provided by the pharmaceutical companies. These drug companies know they have a vulnerable market! Drugs are promoted to combat HIV when the suppliers know that many AIDS drugs may be unsuccessful. Whether it’s over a short or long term, many do fail. HIV strategies evolve and outwit the immune system. Therefore, some individuals are in constant need of new drugs when their drugs fail and resistance develops. The more HIV/AIDS drugs that an individual takes, the greater the risk of drug resistance occurring.

Another thing which ensures many individuals choose the drug treatment, is the continual fear promoted by the pharmaceutical companies and the medical profession to influence an individual into believing they will progress to disease and/or die without HIV/AIDS medications. Often, a physician tells patients that those individuals who do use supplements and complementary therapies: “they die!” Individuals voicing anything other than the pharmaceutical company’s ideology of HIV/AIDS and treatments are discredited. This is all too clearly understood by millions of people throughout the world.

Even the media has not told the true story but only conveys the information provided by the pharmaceutical companies. It is the responsibility of the media to investigate and then report! It is important and necessary to recognize the need for voices from all walks of life to be heard, thus helping to create a better understanding. One of balance!

Since the beginning, living with HIV has prompted many to learn about their bodies, to gain understanding of its needs. Large numbers of people have incorporated the knowledge of HIV/AIDS medications, how they work, what they do, dosages to take with or without food, side effects and benefits! Antiretroviral medications deplete many of the micronutrients necessary to keep the body healthy. Without proper nutrition how can anyone be expected to combat HIV or combat the side effects of the HIV/AIDS treatments? Without complementary therapies, patients are at a greater risk of failing drug treatments because they can’t tolerate the side effects. They may decide to discontinue a treatment, which could have proved beneficial, had they been able to overcome the initial side effects. Providing proper nutrition and Complementary therapies can address the immune system and many of the side effects of HIV treatments.

There are no shortages of scientists and physicians as well as individuals living with HIV, who have realized another understanding of how HIV and other diseases can be affected. The fact the emphasis on treatment is placed predominantly on medical and pharmaceutical while other methods are not given the same deserving recognition, is in direct conflict with the way in which people infected with HIV have managed their infection!

Over half of the people infected with HIV ARE using alternative and complementary therapies. Regardless of HIV infection or not, in the United States alone, for every individual who seeks out medical and pharmaceutical care, three times as many people are seeking out alternative and complementary care. Here in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where I live, I would say the numbers using alternative and complementary are even higher! Yet alternative and complementary care is not included in health care!
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HIV has shown us that it is reacting differently from person to person. However, we began by trying to treat everyone infected with HIV alike. Each one of us is physically different with what is happening in our body. In the treatment of any disease, we must be careful not to have tunnel vision, or rely totally upon science, medicine and in particular, pharmaceuticals to maintain our health. The responsibility is ours, not something we pass on for someone or something to fix. There is much we can do in the fight against disease!

Many who have been living with HIV (some for two decades now) have no need for antiretroviral treatment because their immune system is strong. Others, who are on HIV medications, have included nutrition and replacement therapy (vitamin supplements, herbs and botanicals). Successfully boosting the immune system and positively addressing the efficacy of drugs and there many side effects. Whether it is being able to avoid treatment entirely, prolong treatment or in conjunction with medical and pharmaceutical treatment, we must recognize the importance of using every available means in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

An integrated health care system is the will of the people! World wide! Governments can include complementary treatment and supplements into health care to benefit those living with disease. Pharmaceuticals are an important part in research and treatment and there is no shortage of work ahead for pharmaceuticals. But, what the pharmaceuticals can’t do is address the need the body has for nutrients.

What stands out for me about having lived with HIV for 19 years is the ability individuals have shown to positively impact the immune system using a nutritional diet and complementary therapies. Incorporating vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanicals into daily life provides the necessary requirements for an immune system to be up and running at optimum capacity. In my own experience, I did not take HIV/AIDS medications for 13 years, out of the 19 years I have been infected!

It is important to understand the immune system and what it needs to be able to carry out all its functions. Knowledge is necessary of the cells, the nutrients and all they require to be up and running to maximum capacity. The digestive system and organs all require their own needs be met. The immune system knows how to run the body and keep it healthy. On the other hand, we as human beings may not have been as conscientious. This creates far more for the immune system to handle, when the immune system does not have the proper requirements to provide balance and harmony throughout.

The immune system is made up of proteins and cells and these cells require nutrients. A healthy nutritional diet of protein is necessary to rebuild muscle. Protein provides the building blocks for new cells, including muscle and immune cells. Individuals infected with HIV have much higher protein requirements! Nutritional needs of those infected with HIV are 10% higher than someone not infected with HIV. A nutritional diet, which also includes vitamin-rich fresh fruits and vegetables, has been effective in boosting the immune system and reducing the side effects of the HIV/AIDS medications, as well as maintaining and improving health. Nutrition is a primary defense! However, we don't see or hear this side!

Funding, education and implementation of nutritional supplements and complementary therapies in health care is paramount. Nutritional supplements can be introduced into health care quickly and effectively, having positive effects on individuals with illness and disease. As a bonus, there are no toxic side effects. We must look to what is causing illness and disease and incorporate natural healing with traditional methods. Understand the immune system, all the workings of the body and when the body conveys immune deficiency!

Pharmaceuticals have played an important part in the evolution of how we understand disease and treatment. With the uncertainty of long-term effectiveness of experimental approaches and deaths associated with pharmaceuticals, it is time we validated the successes of people using nutrition and natural supplements in the fight against HIV and all illness and disease. These can have a major impact on health and can add years to one’s life. However, the multi-national pharmaceutical industry is providing information about HIV/AIDS to make money and ensure continued financial success. How long will we continue in this direction and at what cost? Will the cost be the risk of causing illness in healthy people?

The body needs more than the HIV drug combinations and people all over the world are in agreement! Individuals not on medications know the importance and the work required, to remain off, or go off HIV/AIDS medications. Many individuals on medications are not relying totally on combination therapy. They are including the use of complementary therapies (CAM) and they ARE successfully boosting the immune system, reducing the side effects of the drugs and increasing the efficacy of the HIV/AIDS drugs.

I strongly recommend that the world community embrace this shift and redirect the focus from the negative health condition to the positive solution.

Bradford McIntyre
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
www.PositivelyPositive.ca

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Individuals should not have to suffer all losses due to illness! Men, women and children are suffering with HIV/AIDS. We need to assure that these people are cared for, not discriminated against! We must provide funds for proper nutrition, housing and health care for these individuals to aid and contribute to their well-being. We need to get rid of the false perceptions and judgments. Like Doreen Millman said in Vancouver at the 1996 AIDS Conference in reference to how a 63 year old grandmother got AIDS. She said, "It just doesn’t matter!" Neither does an individual’s race, religion or sexual orientation matter! Don’t look for differences; look at how we can help one another.

I do not believe it is naive to think we can make the necessary changes, but rather it is naive to think that we can continue on our current course neglecting those who suffer from poverty, illness and disease. People are judging those who are sick, disabled and poor.

At the X1V International AIDS Conference 2002, Nelson Mandela said, “Stigma, discrimination and ostracism are the real killers.”

People living with illness are no different from anyone else, except for their disease. Prior to this, they were hard working people, contributing to society. Once sick, they are expected to do without and not have those things they had in their life before sickness! Why do we allow this?

Many people have nothing due to the lack of funding and the effort it has taken for them to survive through their illness. People should be entitled to the right to a quality and standard of living, which promotes wellness and healing, not death and dying. There are people dying due to the stress on an already stressed and suppressed immune system. There is added stress due to a lack of funds available to support nutritional diet and good health. Proper nutrition is necessary for HIV infected individuals, as those who eat well feel better compared to those who consume a less than adequate diet. Malnutrition can compromise their ability to fight off infection. The stress that people are enduring while trying to maintain a home, food, and health is putting them at risk of continued health problems. This in turn means they are in greater need of medical attention! We should be making good nutrition a high priority in AIDS treatment!

My concern and disappointment is directed at the lack of consideration given to the present situation of poverty, poor nutrition, inadequate sanitation and housing for people living with HIV. These issues are of the utmost importance to individuals who are trying to maintain their health and living. The present situation is driving people below poverty, affecting their health and forcing them to live in standards no one would want to experience! People, who have worked and contributed to society, should not be subjected to living in inadequate conditions due to health and inability to work when diagnosed with a life threatening disease!

A call for action is necessary. The present situation dictates that these are vital necessities for people living with HIV/AIDS throughout the world! Since many people infected with HIV have neither the health nor energy to work towards creating awareness and change, it is my intention to speak through my experience for those whom I hope will benefit. Ignoring the importance of meeting these needs will bring an ever-increasing cost to our health care systems and us worldwide. A simple exercise in these directions and implementation would have an enormous impact on the fight against AIDS!

We are all here together, connected. Nothing is happening to just one of us, but affecting ALL of us! Illness and poverty can strike any one of us, at any time! What is happening affects us all. We can no longer look at others or view other places in the world where people are sick and dying and continue to neglect caring for them, without recognizing how it affects society. We have the means to provide all that is necessary, but we will have to work together to correct the global imbalance. The richer countries have a moral responsibility to help out poorer countries.

We have been warned by science that we are faced with an ever-increasing battle -- the battle against the bug! Every country is at risk of every disease. Here in North America, many people take for granted our quality of life, while others here and elsewhere in the world are faced with poverty, poor sewage and sanitation, famine, drought, environmental devastation and disease, along with millions of people dying. These are problems facing us all. These very same circumstances affect people in every part of the world. We cannot continue to allow millions to suffer and millions to die and expect we will not be affected.

We have to make the necessary changes and care for one another. If HIV and AIDS have not brought this realization, then surely West Nile, SARS, Mad Cow, Monkey Pox and Ebola are convincing enough! It is time to realize that it is only a matter of time before this major global epidemic will affect each and every one of us and that possibly, we will have to deal with some other new bug as well! This is happening already. Look at the impact of SARS and its effects on health care, travel, tourism, jobs, our economy and relationships with other countries. We would do well to pay attention and learn from the enormous poverty, illness and deaths worldwide caused by HIV/AIDS.

At the XIV International AIDS Conference in 2002, Nelson Mandela in his closing speech said, “AIDS is a war against humanity.”

There is no doubt this situation is going to have an enormous effect on all our lives. When will our eyes be opened to what is going on all around us?

by Bradford McIntyre
www.PositivelyPositive.ca
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