Please forgive me

Hi,

I apologise for not publishing Thursday and also Friday's article.

There have been some unforseen circumstances that have not allowed me to do as I have promised.

Please forgive me.

I will continue the set next week, with the 2 sets that are missing from this series.



Until then take care adn God bless you.



I appreciate you.

Myths: Correcting the Misconceptions

Given the information previously provided and the statistics charts, it can be rightly concluded that HIV and Aids does not discriminate against race, creed, religion, sex or gender preference. Once it is passed on, its passed on.

Living with HIV or Aids, is no longer a death sentence, many people have lived with it for more than 10 years +.
This is not an encouragement for people to continue being irresponsible but to know that life doesn't end as seen by Tara's testimony (yesterday).

As promised today I choose to deliver some of the myths and misconceptions about Aids and HIV, so that we continue to be aware, be educated and break the walls of ignorance. I have chosen a few from what I deemed to be common misconceptions. At the same time. should you be interested, please click on the link at the end of a statement to obtain additional information.

I have HIV...I can't have children.This used to be true but not anymore. Women living with HIV can and do have families. While certain steps and precautions have to be taken, women can now have the families they always dreamed about. http://aids.about.com/od/toptenlists/tp/hivmyths.htm

We both have HIV...we don't need a condom. Not true. Experts are seeing more an more incidences of re-infection, making HIV treatment even more difficult. http://aids.about.com/od/toptenlists/tp/hivmyths.htm

People with HIV/AIDS look sickly. You cannot tell who has HIV by their looks, very much the same way as you can't tell where a person lives by his dressing. http://www.hpb.gov.sg/aids/page5.htm

Some common MYTHS regarding how a person can get HIV are by:

• sharing food with an infected person
• hugging an infected person
• insect bites or
• only from gays or drug users

Science has provided us with answers to these myths. HIV is not transmitted through casual contact. A person cannot get HIV by sharing food with an infected person or hugging an infected person. An insect bite will not transmit HIV. http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/hivinfectionsaids/hivi4616.html

Taking Immune Boosters or Vitamins Can Cure AIDS. There is no known cure for HIV/AIDS. While taking the correct doses of vitamin supplements, along with eating healthily, exercising, not smoking and drinking in moderation can help keep one healthier for longer, large doses of vitamins or immune boosters can compromise one's health. http://www.journaids.org/myths.php

You are probably tired of reading so let me introduce Dr Kuhn a specialist in the subject. Bear in mind that I do not agree with the some of the acts spoken, but the truth is it is happening, so let us not turn a blind eye



Although today's lesson has been short, it is not an indication that there is no more to be learnt, but that this has been food for thought. I hope that this information has opened your minds to the world we live in and once again, that we should not be closed minded to think that this may not affect you (indirectly or directly).

Please take care of your self. Tomorrow I will talk about the charities that are out there and what opportunities there are out to help, if you called to. We will also take a look at what others have done towards the cause.

May God bless you.

Concern: Living with HIV/Aids

Prior to reading and researching, I believed that the open society we live in today was as human as I. This is to say that after reading testimonies, articles and watching youtube documentaries the same theme kept reoccurring. HIV and Aids sufferers or carriers were being discriminated against in ways that I would never have thought was capable from adults.

Finger pointing, ignoring individuals, dis-respecting and name calling were just some of the things positive people have to live with. I would have expected that from a less educated generation and one that lacks knowledge, but with the internet, television shows, documentaries, campaigns and sex education, I WAS ignorant to believe that such information would change our stance on the subject. Unfortunately it has not. I have found that those young and old experience a form of rejection, and yes even from family.

As I sought testimonies of those belonging to individuals who said life was not as bad as they thought and that they had found support groups, I realised that I had created my own dream land. Its sad to say, but people are disowned and people are isolated. Please bear in mind that not EVERYONE lives this way, I just happened to fall upon stories that described such strong emotions.

I say all of this so that EVERYONE shows compassion towards EVERYONE. At the end of the day, we all bleed the same red blood, yet some believe otherwise. Let me share Emma's story with you

Stigma

"AIDS-related stigma refers to the prejudice and discrimination directed at people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and the groups and communities that they are associated with." http://www.avert.org/aidsstigma.htm

The stigma, in my opinion, has caused people to continue to deny that Aids and HIV exists. If you do not acknowledge that it has no boundaries, then can you recognize that there is an equal chance of you contracting it if you are not careful? If you have either HIV or Aids, can you come to terms with the news if you feel that society will reject you anyway? Not even society, but family and friends.

We have to remember that the bible says that (King James Bible) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. This means that you can destroy someone with just your words alone, hence why they call it mental abuse. The scripture goes on to say (paraphrase) that those who hear you words will consume it. So please think before you say anything.

Don' Testimony

I am so tired and scared I was diagnosed with Hiv. I should say full blown AIDS. I had no idea my doctor kept telling me I was anemic and that I should take some iron pills but I still felt so weak to the point that I could not walk. Finally I said there must be something wrong. I asked him if he had tested my blood for everything assuming everything was HIV but he told me I had to ask for that test. I didnt know now I was kind of almost to late my white blood cells were 26.

Any way its been six months now with the meds I'm up to 154 white blood cells. I feel like I might get better. But Im so scared of people touching me. My family they dont touch me they hide me away. They tell me not to touch the dishes, not to unload the dishwasher and other things. I think I could handle the disease but I can't handle life without human touch. I think that is killing me and my heart feels dead. I wanna be loved.

AVERT.org: It is most important to stress that you CANNOT get HIV from touching someone with the virus. You cannot get HIV from eating off the plates that an HIV+ person touches, or the food that they handle, or the bed that they sleep in. HIV is not spread this way - it is only spread through sexual fluids or blood getting in to another person's bloodstream. This CANNOT happen in everyday family settings, and there is NO REASON to be scared. There is no reason why an HIV-positive person should have to live the rest of their life without human warmth or touch. They are not contagious, and nobody should treat them as such.

http://www.avert.org/manstory.htm

Tara's Testimony

Hi,

My name is Tara and I just read some encouraging testimonies of living with AIDS. This is an Era of people who are living with AIDS instead of dying. I would like to share my own personal story.

I am a college student who loves to teach and play music. My goal is to become a missionary somewhere in Mexico. I'm from USA and reside in FL. I will turn 30 next month! Why is this such a celebration? I have been diagnosed with AIDS for 15 years coming this November.

I was 15 years old when I was told the news. I received a blood transfusion in 1984 which caused me to have tainted blood. My family didn't know about it until years later when I got sick in 1992. Doctors gave me six months. I think they stopped counting after I turned 21.=)

My family and I have gone through hard times with discrimination in early 90's and sometimes even now! Yet, it's by the grace of God that has pulled our family together. I have never dated anyone because I'm afriad to hurt someone. I would love to meet a Christian man who would love me regardless. I still believe in that hope.

=) My point to this story is don't give up on your dreams from a test. I have beaten so many odds and I'm still living my dreams. Keep your faith, stay strong with God and you will have a great life too. My other point is that AIDS can happen to ANYONE. Please be smart and protect yourself.

God Bless.

Tara

http://www.avert.org/womstory.htm

As you can see, there are different reactions to living with HIV and Aids.
Tomorrow, I will talk about the myths of HIV and Aids. This way we become more educated and learn that though the virus or disease is terminal, it doesn't mean the rest of us are excused from death, so while we are blessed with another day let us let go of pain and embrace love.

Truth: Aids "next few" day(s) - Trends

For the next few weeks, I would like to take the time to educate us on something that many are aware of but very few are educated about, H.IV and Aids. Why? Personally, given the stories on the news, the results of nation wide surveys and judging by the lifestyle of many people, it seems as though the reality of Aids has yet to hit home.

Sometimes, it takes for the individual to come to a close a situation or for something to happen to them for something to click in the brain. Regrets can come about, tears will fall but their is nothing you can do. At the moment, it is something that scientist have yet to cure.
In order to understand its current status, let us begin to understand what this ACTUALLY is. Let us start with the beginning: (Before you begin reading, understand that I am not a qualified doctor, but that I am obtaining information from sites I deem to be repeatable.)

Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The virus weakens a person's ability to fight infections and cancer. People with HIV are said to have AIDS when they develop certain infections or cancers or when their CD4* count is less than 200. CD4 count is determined by a blood test in a doctor's office. ( http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/guide/sexual-health-aids)

* CD4 Cells - These are T-cells (T-cells are specialized white blood cells that play an important role in the body's immune system.) These have molecules called CD4 on its surface. These "helper" cells initiate the body's response to invading micro-organisms such as viruses. http://aids.about.com/od/newlydiagnosed/qt/cd4.htm

AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. When the immune system CD4 cells drop to a very low level, a person's ability to fight infection is lost. In addition, there are several conditions that occur in people with HIV infection with this degree of immune system failure -- these are called AIDS defining illnesses. (http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/guide/sexual-health-aids)

World Wide Statistics as of end July 2007: (published by UNAIDS)
First column shows the estimated amount and the second column indicates the range.

People living with HIV/AIDS in 2007	33.0 million	30.3-36.1 million
Adults living with HIV/AIDS in 2007	30.8 million	28.2-34.0 million
Women living with HIV/AIDS in 2007	15.5 million	14.2-16.9 million
Children living with HIV/AIDS in 2007	2.0 million	1.9-2.3 million
People newly infected with HIV in 2007	2.7 million	2.2-3.2 million
Children newly infected with HIV in 2007	0.37 million	0.33-0.41 million
AIDS deaths in 2007	2.0 million	1.8-2.3 million
Child AIDS deaths in 2007	0.27 million	0.25-0.29 million

Global Trends

The number of people living with HIV has risen from around 8 million in 1990 to 33 million today, and is still growing. Around 67% of people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Regional statistics for HIV & AIDS, end of 2007

Region	Adults & children living with HIV/AIDS	Adults & children newly infected	Adult prevalence*	Deaths of adults & children
Sub-Saharan Africa	22.0 million	1.9 million	5.0%	1.5 million
North Africa & Middle East	380,000	40,000	0.3%	27,000
Asia	5 million	380,000	0.3%	380,000
Oceania	74,000	13,000	0.4%	1,000
Latin America	1.7 million	140,000	0.5%	63,000
Caribbean	230,000	20,000	1.1%	14,000
Eastern Europe & Central Asia	1.5 million	110,000	0.8%	58,000
North America, Western & Central Europe	2.0 million	81,000	0.4%	31,000
Global Total	33.0 million	2.7 million	0.8%	2.0 million

* Proportion of adults aged 15-49 who were living with HIV/AIDS

During 2007 more than two and a half million adults and children became infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus that causes AIDS. By the end of the year, an estimated 33 million people worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS. The year also saw two million deaths from AIDS, despite recent improvements in access to antiretroviral treatment

Truth: It is not something that does not reside on our front/back door. It does.
You may know someone living with it. It doesn't make them the bogey man/woman and at the same time, it doesn't mean that they will drop dead next week. Remember, without being insensitive about it, tomorrow is promised to NO ONE.

According to Advert.Org, the statistics are changing and numbers are increasing. The people who are affected are diverse in number, culture, class and sexual orientation.
Please be mindful of this virus and please get tested. I am a strong believer in abstinence, simply because that's how God wanted it to be. Absinence takes away from the nerves you feel when one visits the doctor for their yearly tests.

This series will continue for the next few days. I hope you have learnt something today.

Concern: WHERE IS TRIP LEE???

Concern: WHERE IS TRIP LEE???

Trip Lee, a young Christian Bible scholar and rap artist has been reported missing by his brother in Christ, good friend and fellow recording artist Lecrae . It has not been stated exactly when this happened or the location, but sources state that Lecrae's facebook status was updated last Monday, 17th November 2008, reading "Lecrae is searching for Trip Lee".


Reporter's at TalithazMynd where unable to obtain direct information from Reach Records whom the artist is signed to, but were able to get a hold of the following recorded account from Lecrae himself.


Lecrae's Amber Alert!!



Following this recording, it was rumoured that Lecrae became so desperate that he decided to do his own investigation and compile his own evidence. Below are snippets of Lecrae's investigations and interviews

Disney Store and Starbucks




Lecrae involves other member of 116 Clique
(other friends of Trip Lee taking a break from the search)




As we can see, Lecrae is very devastated about his comrade's disappearance and his fellow Clique members are taking the news just as hard. At the end of one day's search Lecrae is exhausted and is needing our help to find his "Lil Brother" Trip Lee as displayed below

The End of Day One



No one knows why he disappeared so suddently. We do know that he had just realeased his sophmore album 20/20 and so the idea of it being a marketing stunt has been ruled out. Police have yet to name any suspects in their investigation

Should you hear anything or spot Trip Lee please email Lecrae at http://www.reachrecords.com/ or call Missing persons* on 1800-Trip-Lee. Our prayers go out to Trip and his family and friends.

Please be aware that this is just a joke and none of this is really true

Opinion: I feel its time to make you smile...laugh!

It hit me, up until now my words have been food for thought and food to inspire. Today I provide the dish to make you laugh, or at least smile, contrary to the article's title. There is no set order or method to my collected humour (I call it it quirky research) I am just providing you with something to make your belly jiggle and a reason to crack your chapped lips this autumn, although it feels like winter.

Please remember that the following are quotes, statements and acts have been stated and taken from a number of websites.

As usual, all comments are welcome. Have a great weekend in advance!!! xox

Rob Swainson, 26, of Bournemouth who has no belly button.

"I thought about having one constructed when I was getting interested in girls, but not for long," he says, adding that people are more surprised by his scar than his lack of a navel. "You only have to look at Michael Jackson to realise it's probably best to live with what you've got."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7738144.stm

News in the making

News Bloopers Collection of news bloopers from around the world. Watch at 1.28, hillarious.

Miss Alabama in the 1994

Question: If you could live forever, would you and why?
Answer: "I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were
supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live
forever, which is why I would not live forever,"


Miss USA contest.

http://www.voshy.com/jokes/view.php?id=10048

This collection of partial statements has been collected from REAL insurance claim forms submitted to insurance companies by members of the public.

When an innocent victim is involved
- The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.
- The pedestrian had no idea which way to run as I ran over him.
- A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.
- I saw her look at me twice. She appeared to be making slow progress when we met on impact.

Who is to Blame?
- An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car and vanished.
- I had been driving for forty years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident.
- The indirect cause of the accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.
http://www.slinkycity.com/funny-insurance-claims.html

Dont laugh, its a serious matter!!



WHAT CAN WE SAY ABOUT THIS ONE? Did you catch it?

The following are allegedly real courtroom questions and witness statements

Q: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning? (no response needed)

Q: How was your first marriage terminated?
A: By death.
Q: And by whose death was it terminated?

Q: Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people?
A: All my autopsies are performed on dead people.
Q: All your responses must be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
A: Oral.
Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for blood pressure?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for breathing?
A: No.
Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
A: No.
Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk, in a jar.
Q: But could the patient have still been alive, never the less?
A: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practising law somewhere.
http://www.businessballs.com/courtroom.htm

Look around before ..............



Have a grand weekend, and God bless you !!!