Seeing The Forest For The Trees - HIV Awareness Exhibit

The festivities of SL10B have come to an end for this year.  Though it didn't make the blog before now, an exhibit was presented on HIV Awareness.  A forest was created where each tree was adorned with a red awareness ribbon. As visitors approached from each side, north - south - east - west, they could enter the forest where real stories awaited them.  Some very real people were more than gracious to share their story of life with HIV or AIDS.  Photographs of these folks were posted beneath the appropriate ribbon where their story was placed.  Stories, bracelets, website urls, lists of support groups, and factual posts could be found inside each ribbon along the path.  Some ribbons were free to copy when right clicked upon giving the receiver opportunity to wear the ribbon thus showing their own support in educating the general public of the very real disease.

Every photograph used was done so with the approval of that person.  One of those photos is of my real life daughter who tested HIV Positive nearly 4 years ago.  She takes the prescribed medicines and does the best she can to take care of herself and her two daughters.  Being HIV positive is no longer the death sentence that it was 20 years ago, even 10 years ago, there is indeed life after diagnosis.  My daughter is the inspiration for choosing to apply for the celebration. Educating people who are ignorant was the main objective and I do hope that at least one person walked away more informed.

June 27th was national HIV Testing Day in the United States.  A whole list of notable testing days and a boat load of facts can be found at aids.gov.  Did you get tested?  Do you know your status?  Every day is the perfect day to get tested for HIV.  You might not think that you are at risk but having sex with one person means that you are also having sex with all their past partners and they yours.  Protect yourself and the one you love.  Get tested today.  Nuff Said :)