“He who conceals his disease cannot expect to be cured”

SoBank CARES!

A CommUNITY-Based HIV/AIDS Social Services Organization

P. O. Box 2363  *  Covington, Kentucky 41012-2363

 

Is there a cure?

HIV medication can slow the progress of the virus
HIV medication can slow the progress of the virus

Worryingly, surveys show that many people think that there’s a ‘cure’ for AIDS – which makes them feel safer, and perhaps take risks that they otherwise shouldn’t. These people are wrong, though - there is still no cure for AIDS.

There is antiretroviral medication which slows the progression from HIV to AIDS, and which can keep some people healthy for many years. In some cases, the antiretroviral medication seems to stop working after a number of years, in other cases people can recover from AIDS and live with HIV for decades. But they have to take powerful medication every day of their lives, sometimes with very unpleasant side-effects.

But there is still no way to cure HIV, and at the moment the only way to remain safe is not to become infected.

Saturday, November 20, 2004

As the Sistah said well: "I don't know quite how to say this so as not to offend, as it must be said... <snip>...Gay men had worked so hard and long for acceptance they did not want to "share" HIV with any other group.  And organizations like mine kept reminding the public that it wasn't just a "gay" disease.  We did so because others were at risk and to get into people's narrow little mind that they should stop hating the "homos" because they are just like everyone else.  In the process I believe we (I) may have promoted HIV as not that big a deal.  Unintentional of course.  We wanted the hate to end, the fear to stop. It did not occur to us that there would be any resistance with gay men.  After all we are in this together!  A backlash hit the "rest" of the HIV community.....some gay men proclaimed it was not fair and they were being overlooked.  I have no doubt many gay men felt this way because that was their experience.  But it reached a point that I had quite a few angry gay men who felt like I was using their efforts for my advantage. My explanation of wanting to help was often greeted with scorn. Some felt it was hard to accept that I simply care and want to help!  I wanted to bring everyone together in this battle, to work together in passion and compassion. And don't tell me it can't be done.  Bullshit! As I have written before - we are going to have to save ourselves.  We, the people cannot wait for Big Brother to save us!  Thus the question "What do we do?" 

First and, perhaps, foremost: We need to stop falling all over ourselves walking on eggs and worrying about offending someone!  As Orwell said quite well:

My other suggestion is that we refrain from using the old, outdated PWA terminology...  We need to Advocate, Educate, Care, FUNdRaise, and Speak OUT for the entire HIV Community!  Why?  Because HIV is the only thing that separates, discriminates, stigmatizes, demonizes, vilifies, persecutes, and oppresses- US from one another while at the same time being the only thing that touches and can UNITE US- as well.  

Best Regards,
Michael

Mouse over the above for a CablePositive Public Service Announcement

Care Coordinators Client Holiday Boxes & The Angel Fund

Tickets to Florence Malls "Festival of Giving" Shopping Extravaganza on Sunday December 5th are available thru Case Manager Amanda Beck @ No. Ky. Health for a contribution of $5.00.  Tickets admit holder to private after-hours shopping featuring special sales by stores throughout the Mall from 7:00 - 10:00 PM.  All proceeds are directly retained and used to fund the Care Coordinators Client Holiday Box program.   Amanda can be reached @ 859-363-2096 or amanda.beck@ky.gov 

In addition to the Client Holiday Box, The Angel Fund provides a bit of Holiday Happiness for client families with children 18 and under.  Donations for both are now being requested and collected.  For more information on the 125 Client Holiday Boxes, the Angel Fund or the types of items needed, please call Amanda.

June 14-18, 2005

Camp Heart to Heart is a FREE summer camp for children ages 5-12, who are living in the shadow of HIV/AIDS. This includes kids who are either HIV+, have an immediate family member who is HIV+, or has lost an immediate family member to AIDS.

The camp was formed in 1999. It was dedicated in honor and memory of Lions member ... Tom Welker, PDG.

Camp Heart to Heart is a collaboration between Lions Camp Crescendo Inc., AIM of Kentuckiana, House of Ruth, Kentucky AIDS Life Alliance (KALA), and other Louisville HIV/AIDS service organizations.

Each year, during early June, the camp is held at Lions Camp Crescendo, which is about 25 miles south of Louisville, KY on 185 beautiful acres just off I-65.

Camp Heart to Heart is made possible through private and corporate donations and grants. All donations are tax deductible*and help defray expenses related to this community service project. Please help sponsor our kids. It will be greatly appreciated.

*Lions Camp Crescendo Inc. is a 501c3 organization.

More information on opportunities for both campers and counselors are now available thru the Case Management and Outreach staff at No. Ky. Health.

Through My Eyes...

For Immediate release           Contact: Michael Connett, 859-291-2214

Town Hall Meeting for National AIDS Awareness Month.

The South Bank - Covington, Kentucky, October 6th...     Covington resident Michael Connett is commemorating the 13th Anniversary of his personal Journey through AIDS this month by attempting to revive the passion with which Americans once fought it.  In May he began by organizing the first local observance of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial as a catalyst for our CommUNITY to begin again to talk about HIV/AIDS.

 "As October is also National AIDS Awareness Month, it affords us an opportunity to re-engage and update the Community on our United States of AIDS." Mr. Connett says.  "It is especially important in this election year and we'd like to inform the community on how their vote next month will affect "Life in the SoBank HIVe" thereafter.  This town hall meeting affords an opportunity to talk candidly and share concepts that have and are working while exploring new ideas for the future.

 Since May's Candlelight event on the Purple People Bridge, the endeavor to Turn Remembrance into Action has laid the foundation for SoBank CARES!, a new organization, and grown stronger.  Consequently, it provides a perfect time to present the fruits of that labor to the Community and enlist support for its continued development.  Through our innovative online approach to outreach and support based in our "SoBank HIVe" MSN group (http://groups.msn.com/SoBankHIVe) as well as our website (www.southbankcares.net), we have become part of a growing alliance of Internet based service providers.  We are pleased that our work to reduce stigma and mainstream care and compassion for our disease through the "HIVe" concept has been well received in the HIV CommUNITY.

 "In this country we now have waiting lists for services and/or medications. Professionals are overburdened, under funded and forced to work with one hand politically tied behind their backs.  At this years International AIDS Conference, where the United States was mystified by its chilly reception, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued this admonition:  "We need leaders everywhere to demonstrate that speaking up about AIDS is a point of pride, not a source of shame.  There must be no more sticking heads in the sand, no more embarrassment, no more hiding behind a veil of apathy.  Leadership means respecting and upholding the human rights of all who are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS..."  I am honored and pleased to report that we have been recognized for our answer to his call and have been invited to attend the next International AIDS Conference, 2006 in Toronto Canada." Mr. Connett concluded. The Queen Bee of The SoBank HIVe and HIVeKeeper#1 will deliver the buzz this Sunday October 10th between 2:00 and 4:00 pm in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room of the Kenton County Public Library located on the corner of 5th Street @ Scott Boulevard in Downtown Covington.

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“He who conceals his disease cannot expect to be cured”

SoBank CARES!

A CommUNITY-Based HIV/AIDS Social Services Organization

Michael W. Connett, Exec. Director

"I used to be afraid of dying, I'm not anymore.
I'm more afraid of what happens to the people who live..."
from "And The Band Played On"

 

Copyright (c)1999-2004:

The Michael W. Connett Living Trust/SoBank CARES!