Guest guest Posted October 25, 2001 Report Share Posted October 25, 2001 Hi :<br>For some strange reason I too, was very cautious when others around me wanted more information. I just knew people were going to fear me. I work in Childrens church and was terrified myself in the beginning. But after a while it finally dawned on me I had nothing to me ashamed of and I was not extremely infectious. There are many people in this world infected and not completely sure how they got that way. With me I could have contacted it several ways. I was a completely different person 15 years ago, so much so, its even hard for me to believe I was her. However, this virus is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. If those around me want details I give the facts. What the virus is and what is does, thats really all they want to know. If you have one that wants more you decide how you want to share. I will tell you it is a blessing to have those around you understand what your are experiencing. Plus, you with others can pray even more effectively!<br><br>Chin up, the future is brighter than you think.<br>Lord Bless<br>Carla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2001 Report Share Posted October 25, 2001 Hi :<br>For some strange reason I too, was very cautious when others around me wanted more information. I just knew people were going to fear me. I work in Childrens church and was terrified myself in the beginning. But after a while it finally dawned on me I had nothing to me ashamed of and I was not extremely infectious. There are many people in this world infected and not completely sure how they got that way. With me I could have contacted it several ways. I was a completely different person 15 years ago, so much so, its even hard for me to believe I was her. However, this virus is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. If those around me want details I give the facts. What the virus is and what is does, thats really all they want to know. If you have one that wants more you decide how you want to share. I will tell you it is a blessing to have those around you understand what your are experiencing. Plus, you with others can pray even more effectively!<br><br>Chin up, the future is brighter than you think.<br>Lord Bless<br>Carla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2001 Report Share Posted October 26, 2001 I too was becoming embarrassed to tell because it was so much associated with drug use - so now i say - " i have what wynonna judd's mom had " i always get those two mixed up so it may be the other way around - then people tend to be more understanding - ain't that a blip (smile) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2001 Report Share Posted October 26, 2001 I too was becoming embarrassed to tell because it was so much associated with drug use - so now i say - " i have what wynonna judd's mom had " i always get those two mixed up so it may be the other way around - then people tend to be more understanding - ain't that a blip (smile) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2001 Report Share Posted October 26, 2001 You're right rpt,<br>Naomi Judd was on Oprah after she had beat the disease. Bolten's brother was on also fighting the disease. There are more people out there with this disease then even know it. It can be contracted in so many ways. Drug use was the first stigma attached to it like gay was to aids. I was even told you can spread the disease via nail clippers. Remember the dentist case with the aids in Fla? Imagine how many could possibly have contracted HCV that way. Fact of the matter is this is a disease that doesn't discriminate against. Whether someone accidentally uses your toothbrush, or they contiously borrow your razor, this is something we're all going to have to be aware of from here on out. (Reg stepping off his soapbox)<br>One thing I keep in my mind, That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I'm confident we'll all grow to be much stronger people because of this disease. Good luck & God bless to all.<br>Reg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2001 Report Share Posted October 26, 2001 You're right rpt,<br>Naomi Judd was on Oprah after she had beat the disease. Bolten's brother was on also fighting the disease. There are more people out there with this disease then even know it. It can be contracted in so many ways. Drug use was the first stigma attached to it like gay was to aids. I was even told you can spread the disease via nail clippers. Remember the dentist case with the aids in Fla? Imagine how many could possibly have contracted HCV that way. Fact of the matter is this is a disease that doesn't discriminate against. Whether someone accidentally uses your toothbrush, or they contiously borrow your razor, this is something we're all going to have to be aware of from here on out. (Reg stepping off his soapbox)<br>One thing I keep in my mind, That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I'm confident we'll all grow to be much stronger people because of this disease. Good luck & God bless to all.<br>Reg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2001 Report Share Posted October 26, 2001 Naomi Judd still has HCV. She went undetected 2 years ago after taking the Rebetron Combo. She has since relapsed and is on PegIntron now. <br><br>Part of the problem with no awareness being done is that too many people are afraid to admit that they have this disease. I guess we learned nothing from the AIDS movement.<br><br>LeighAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2001 Report Share Posted October 26, 2001 Naomi Judd still has HCV. She went undetected 2 years ago after taking the Rebetron Combo. She has since relapsed and is on PegIntron now. <br><br>Part of the problem with no awareness being done is that too many people are afraid to admit that they have this disease. I guess we learned nothing from the AIDS movement.<br><br>LeighAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2001 Report Share Posted October 26, 2001 WHY would you be embarrassed because you have HCV? I for the life of me can't understand that. You have a life threatening liver/blood disease. No matter HOW you got it...you got it. It's nobody else's business HOW you got it. <br><br>People only think of the drug use because we, as a community, have not done enough to inform them of the other risk factors. <br><br>When people ask for details, tell them the TRUTH! THEY could have HCV and not know it. There are so many risk factors out there. When we were kids we did this " blood brother/sister " thing where we pricked our fingers and put them together. Guess what THAT was - blood to blood contact! <br><br>When we were young, the autoclave was not in use. Most dentists did not sterilize the equipment properly. THAT is a risk factor. Hospitals didn't always sterilize properly either...another risk factor.<br><br>I was born in the 50's. We went to the local church for our vaccinations as very small children. They reused those needles. THAT is a HUGE risk factor.<br><br>Of course Blood Transfusions are huge and are STILL a risk factor. Don't forget that getting a manicure is a risk factor. That equipment is only soaked in an alcohol solution. Alcohol does NOT kill HCV. HCV can live in dried blood for approx 4 weeks...some say longer.<br><br>Check these questioning people as to whether they have tattoos...ever been to a manicurist...ever did IV or snorted drugs...EVEN ONCE. Ever been in the military??<br><br>I sell HCV pins with an attached card that gives the people all the most common risk factors. You can always just hand them something like the card.<br><br>The risk factors are also listed on my webpage. Copy it down and pass it along. Contact HFI @ <a href=http://www.hepfi.org target=new>http://www.hepfi.org</a> and ask them to send you some information flyers. Pass them out. <br>Every year for the past 4 years, Hepatitis Foundation International holds a " Walk on Washington " conference in Washington DC. There is a conference and then appointments on Capitol Hill to speak to Legislators. I've attended 3 now and will go again this coming April. Most of the attendees are from California. WHY are the people who actually LIVE right in that general area not attending? IF we do nothing ourselves about awareness, we have no right to complain that there is none. It costs me quite a small chunk of money to go...I use Priceline for my hotel and plane tickets. I hit up family to help pay for the trip, having them send in a donation to HFI and earmarked for me. They get a tax write off, and I get to attend. Simple and easy. For those who live on the east coast, I would think it would be even cheaper and easier to attend, yet they do not. Until we finally get off our butts and become a vocal community...in the public sector, people will continue to be ignorant of HCV. <br><br>The CDC has admitted that they are not doing their job in educating the public about HCV. It's up to us. If every single one of us told only 1 person, that would mean nearly 10 million American's would be telling another 10 million. Look how fast the news would travel.<br><br>LeighAnn<br><a href=http://www.geocities.com/1Leighann target=new>http://www.geocities.com/1Leighann</a> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2001 Report Share Posted October 26, 2001 WHY would you be embarrassed because you have HCV? I for the life of me can't understand that. You have a life threatening liver/blood disease. No matter HOW you got it...you got it. It's nobody else's business HOW you got it. <br><br>People only think of the drug use because we, as a community, have not done enough to inform them of the other risk factors. <br><br>When people ask for details, tell them the TRUTH! THEY could have HCV and not know it. There are so many risk factors out there. When we were kids we did this " blood brother/sister " thing where we pricked our fingers and put them together. Guess what THAT was - blood to blood contact! <br><br>When we were young, the autoclave was not in use. Most dentists did not sterilize the equipment properly. THAT is a risk factor. Hospitals didn't always sterilize properly either...another risk factor.<br><br>I was born in the 50's. We went to the local church for our vaccinations as very small children. They reused those needles. THAT is a HUGE risk factor.<br><br>Of course Blood Transfusions are huge and are STILL a risk factor. Don't forget that getting a manicure is a risk factor. That equipment is only soaked in an alcohol solution. Alcohol does NOT kill HCV. HCV can live in dried blood for approx 4 weeks...some say longer.<br><br>Check these questioning people as to whether they have tattoos...ever been to a manicurist...ever did IV or snorted drugs...EVEN ONCE. Ever been in the military??<br><br>I sell HCV pins with an attached card that gives the people all the most common risk factors. You can always just hand them something like the card.<br><br>The risk factors are also listed on my webpage. Copy it down and pass it along. Contact HFI @ <a href=http://www.hepfi.org target=new>http://www.hepfi.org</a> and ask them to send you some information flyers. Pass them out. <br>Every year for the past 4 years, Hepatitis Foundation International holds a " Walk on Washington " conference in Washington DC. There is a conference and then appointments on Capitol Hill to speak to Legislators. I've attended 3 now and will go again this coming April. Most of the attendees are from California. WHY are the people who actually LIVE right in that general area not attending? IF we do nothing ourselves about awareness, we have no right to complain that there is none. It costs me quite a small chunk of money to go...I use Priceline for my hotel and plane tickets. I hit up family to help pay for the trip, having them send in a donation to HFI and earmarked for me. They get a tax write off, and I get to attend. Simple and easy. For those who live on the east coast, I would think it would be even cheaper and easier to attend, yet they do not. Until we finally get off our butts and become a vocal community...in the public sector, people will continue to be ignorant of HCV. <br><br>The CDC has admitted that they are not doing their job in educating the public about HCV. It's up to us. If every single one of us told only 1 person, that would mean nearly 10 million American's would be telling another 10 million. Look how fast the news would travel.<br><br>LeighAnn<br><a href=http://www.geocities.com/1Leighann target=new>http://www.geocities.com/1Leighann</a> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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