World AIDS Day

HIV and AIDS is not new to me.  It is not new to a lot of people. 

When I was in high school -- many moons ago -- my mom worked for a company where it was her job to do research for AIDS educators.  She did book research, not medical research. 

When I was in elementary school I was best friends with a set of twins.  The quiet shy twin contracted HIV from her cheating boyfriend in college.

Ladybug's had a first best friend.  They met soon after she came home at day care.  They were inseparable.  Her dad also works in HIV world -- although I am unclear exactly what he does.  He travels all over the world for his job.

And then, of course, there is Ladybug.  Ladybug was born to 2 HIV+ parents.  Her first mother was likely HIV+ through the pregnancy and birth of Ladybug.  Ladybug's mother died of complications of her HIV+ status nearly 18 months after Ladybug was born.  Ladybug's father was in advanced stages of AIDS at the time Ladybug was relinquished for adoption. 

AIDS changed everything for her.  Her parents.  Her family.  Her name.  Her language.  Her country.  Her food.  Her possibilities.  Her future.  AIDS picked her up off the path she was on and dropped her on a completely different road. 

And, of course, AIDS has touched my life.  It gave me my daughter.  I love her and can not imagine my life without her.  But it didn't have to be this way.

Learn about AIDS and HIV.

Mean Mama