World Aids Day

[Guest guest]

December 1 is World AIDS Day. This call for more worldwide attention

for treatment and prevention efforts started in 1988 by the World

Health Organization. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is wrecking havoc in our

world, our country, and in our communities with women and women of

color cases rising. It is estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 HIV-

positive individuals are living in the U.S., and approximately 40,000

new infections occur every year, HIV does not discriminate. As of this

date no HIV agency has tracked how HIV/AIDS is impacting women and men

with preexisting physical disabilities.

In the Disabled community much needs to be done to raise awareness and

establish relevant services to address the needs of our population

around HIV/AIDS. At Glad To Be Here the question is not are people

with disabilities having sex, but how can intimacy and sexual activity

be discussed openly devoid of shame. How can disability service

providers and disability agencies begin to talk within their networks

about the need for positive images and representations of safer sex

information with people with disabilities? How can we break through

the asexual myth around sexuality and disability without encouraging

exploitation and unhealthy behaviors that may be placing young people

with disabilities at risk for HIV? Over the years I have spoken with

many young women with a physical disability who had engaged in sexual

activity on the pill but did not use a condom because she thought her

partner was “safeâ€. How many women with physical disabilities get

regular pelvic examinations regardless of sexual activity? How many

women in same sex relationships have tested for HIV?

On this World AIDS Day Glad To Be Here calls all disability

organizations to make strides to implement HIV/AIDS prevention

activities within the disabled community as a reproductive health

right. Michai Freeman, Founder and CEO, of Glad To Be Here Inc.

requests disability service organizations begin implementing the

following Action Steps for HIV/AIDS Discussion.

Action Steps for HIV/AIDS Discussion

1. HIV does not care what your mission statement is. Begin the

conversation on how can you incorporate HIV/AIDS prevention

information to your constituents.

2. Honor people with disabilities as sexual beings. In a positive

appropriate manner (and if feasible) display pictures and media of the

disabled in healthy relationships.

3. Have HIV/AIDS information readily available and in plain view in

waiting areas, or where your constituents or employees gather. Discuss

how your agency can to distribute safer sex materials.

Different agencies service various age and disability populations so

do what is appropriate for your agency but begin to take steps.

Glad To Be Here has begun the Dignity4Us HIV Awareness and Prevention

Project. As a result of an anonymous donor Glad To Be Here starting

today will provide anyone with physical disability safer sex

information and 20 condoms with lubricant at no charge. Kits will be

mailed directly to peoples homes in a discreet package for $2.00 to

cover postage. When more funding is acquired this postage fee will be

dropped. A one time form needs to be completed to document physical

disability. This form is attached or in the File section of the group.

The only way to defeat HIV is to prevent the spread of the virus. We

are not powerless. Through information and self empowerment we will

protect ourselves.

Sincerely,

Michai Freeman, CEO

Glad To Be Here Inc.

P.O.BOX 12124

Berkeley, CA 94712

www.gladtobehere.org

Michai@...