HIV: Free of Stigma |
In the early years, there was little understanding of HIV and a misguided belief existed that an HIV infection was an automatic death sentence. This fueled fear, stigma and discrimination.
With time came a better understanding; one where it was clear how infection occurred. Before long, a new understanding evolved; not everyone who became infected with HIV died!
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HIV diagnosis is not a death sentence |
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25 years later I'm still here
Today, I am celebrating an Anniversary. I don't recall the exact day I found out I was infected with HIV,
it was sometime in 1984. The day that stands out most for me is November 28th 1985.
On November 28th 1985, I was told by my doctor to inform my family, arrange my finances and funeral, I had six months to live!
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Not Everyone, Who Becomes Infected With HIV, Originates From A 'High Risk' Group |
The common usage of the words 'high risk', in reference to people, who are most likely to become infected with HIV, has led many to believe misguidedly that they are not at risk. Unfortunately, this belief couldn't be further from the truth.
Everyone is at risk of infection and worldwide infection rates show that HIV is infecting men, women and children of all ages. Millions of people, who were not considered to be 'high risk', are now infected. The outdated and inaccurate messages that continue to be broadcast contribute globally to a false sense of security.
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A Brave Face
Bradford McIntyre
Positively Positive |
What would you do if given six months to live? For Bradford McIntyre, the hypothetical question became a harsh reality when he was diagnosed with HIV in 1985.
Shared-Vision: July 2007
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Condoms: Our most trusted method
to prevent HIV infection and AIDS! |
These three words echo around the world. AIDS CRISIS WORSENS!
40 million people infected worldwide
37.2 million adults
2.2 million children under 15
In 2004, 4.8 million people were infected and 3.1 million people died.
Over 20 million people have died of AIDS.
Why is this happening? We have had nearly 25 years to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS!
Why aren't people using condoms? AIDS awareness and prevention programs have seen American
government policies pull funding from national and international organizations who promote and provide condoms. Religious leaders
continue to ignore the need to promote the use of condoms in order to save lives and stop the AIDS epidemic. Article continues >>
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"We have a vaccine against HIV infection. It's called education."
1991 Dr. Peter (Jepson-Young) in Affirmation - The Aids Odyssey of Dr. Peter
by Daniel Gawthrop.
Confusion and Conflict when it comes to HIV and AIDS |
In Canada, HIV was first diagnosed among gay men. Later, hemophiliacs and others with health problems
were infected due to tainted blood received through blood transfusions. People infected early on had no treatment available! A new
and strange virus was weakening the immune system and causing illness (what we now know as opportunistic infections) in various ways.
That's all we knew! Those who were infected looked for ways to boost their immune system.
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Positively positive
Bradford McIntyre in Vancouver shares his story |
I was infected with HIV in 1984. In 1985, I was told I had six months to live but I chose not to accept that. Instead, I empowered myself to do
all I could to fight this virus. Thanks to my healthcare team and other people living with HIV, I learned ways to stay healthy, to take responsibility for my life and I avoided medication for over a dozen years.
It wasn't that I didn't get sick or need medical attention, I certainly did! There were countless doctor's appointments,
blood tests at the hospital and more times than I can count trying to fix the complications that appeared.
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"For a quarter century, infected individuals have addressed their
HIV infection by going beyond basic nutrition.
They have included vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanicals."
Bradford McIntyre
Positive living eclipsed by ARV (antiretroviral) drive |
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The intention or hope of the global initiative is to treat 3 million HIV positive
people with antiretroviral therapy by 2005. However, the current guidelines recommend starting antiretroviral therapy
in patients with cd4 counts which have fallen below 350cells/mm3.
Originally, it appeared that anyone infected with HIV would progress to disease and die. This impression has long since been
accepted as false. |
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"We didn't understand the AIDS virus and panic occurred. But, we have moved from a place of confusion
and little understanding to a place where we now have a much broader understanding. Now, we can eliminate the fear and promote a new awareness,
relying on education and a wide variety of treatment options. With choice there is hope!"
Bradford McIntyre |
OUT
& PROUD-Vancouver Pride Parade, 2004 |
| With
a record attendance,
150,000 people lined Denman Street and Beach Avenue
along side English Bay in downtown Vancouver's West
End. This year's parade was the most upbeat and colorful
Pride Parade ever held in Vancouver and it is the
third largest in Canada, after Montreal and Toronto.
The theme; IN THE NAME OF LOVE
was about acceptance! "Everybody should be able to
love who they want to and be proud of themselves,"
explains Steven Schelling of the Vancouver Pride Society.
Federal, provincial and municipal government presence was at an all
time high, with Jack Layton, Federal Leader of the NDP and his wife
Olivia Chow, B.C. NDP Leader Carol James, Mayor of Vancouver Larry
Campbell, Liberal MP Hedy Fry, MLA Jenny Kwan, MLA Lorne Mayencourt,
City Council members Tim Stevenson, Jim Green and Tim Louis and
Vancouver Police Chief Jamie Graham, all participating in the parade.
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| OUT ABOUT HIV in Mexico
City
By Canadian Bradford
McIntyre
I have been living with HIV for 20 years and for
a decade now, I have been OUT publicly about my being infected
with HIV. My work creating awareness globally has provided
for many people, a face living with HIV and has helped to
bring hope to people infected that they too can live!
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“There ARE individuals
who are OUT about their HIV status who are NOT afraid to speak
up. What is necessary; is media coverage of HIV+ individuals who
are living!” Bradford McIntyre
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HIV
Disclosure |
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WE NEED EVERYONE WHO IS HIV POSITIVE TO COME OUT IF
WE ARE TO GET RID OF THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH HIV.
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"I hid my HIV status for far too many years. The last decade
has proven to be the best years of my life...living my Truth..and leaving the fear and hiding behind!" Bradford McIntyre
UNITED STATES DISCRIMINATES
AGAINST HIV+ PEOPLE
While nearly
a million HIV+ American citizens enjoy the freedom to leave and
travel outside their country, the United States government prohibits
HIV+ individuals from other countries entry to the United States!
Without a doubt, this ban is the most blatant display of discrimination
against HIV+ people to date! This ban continues to fuel discrimination,
while a worldwide community strives to stop the stigma and discrimination
surrounding HIV and AIDS!
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| Media Action on HIV and
AIDS
Comments made by Canadian
Bradford McIntyre in Mexico City at the SEXUALIDAD
MASCULINA: NUEVAS PERSPECTIVAS Conference provided by Enkidu
Magazine, Web Edition:
Monday June 28th, at 10:00am in Bgay Bproud at Amberes 12-B,
Zona rosa, in MEXICO CITY.
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The way we
address HIV is cause for concern |
The truth is that there are millions
of people living to whom HIV has not caused
illness and death. This information brings joy
and hope to the heart of any person who has
ever dreaded the onset of AIDS. |
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HIV
Prevention: What you need to know? |
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three years since I first began to witness the
horrific illnesses and deaths caused by HIV
and still today, very few people have an understanding
of HIV.
The world population is ignorant about HIV!
We have failed to properly educate the world
on HIV. Efforts to address HIV prevention have
failed miserably. In fact, in many parts of
the world HIV infection, stigma and discrimination
have never been as bad as it is today! |
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| EDUCATION
KEY IN AIDS BATTLE
- Our best resource is individuals infected with HIV
Education is
paramount if we are to reach individuals infected
with HIV and those living with AIDS. Obviously,
our best resource is from those who are affected by
the disease! Information is not reaching those most
in need and there is a certain mistrust of science
and medicine. People are afraid. Many have only seen
or heard of people dying and many people believe the
drugs will kill them. It is important that they learn
from those whose lives have been saved and who have
benefited from the drug treatments, renewing a quality
of life they would not have had otherwise.
Who better to
explain the realities of living with HIV?
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“Many people world wide are out
about their HIV status and many, many more are voicing they
would also like to be able to live without fear and let others
know they are living with HIV.”
Bradford McIntyre
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HARRT Benefits - HIV/AIDS drugs
saved my life!
I was infected with HIV
in 1984. From the time I was told I had "six months to live" by an AIDS specialist in 1985,
I learned from other people infected with HIV and included supplements and complementary therapies.
These kept me healthy and were responsible for allowing me to address health issues, boost my immune
system and avoid going on HIV/AIDS medications for over a dozen years.
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"Be smart: If the results of blood work show you are HIV positive and in need of HIV/AIDS medications,
do not put off or avoid doing so. Don't let fear get in the way of staying healthy and living a long life". Bradford McIntyre
| HIV/AIDS Stigma
and Discrimination
Individuals
should not have to suffer all losses due to illness!
Men, women and children are suffering with HIV/AIDS. We
need to assure that these people are cared for, not discriminated
against! We must provide funds for proper nutrition, housing
and health care for these individuals to aid and contribute
to their well-being. We need to get rid of the false perceptions
and judgments. Like said in Vancouver at the 1996 AIDS Conference
in reference to how a 63 year old grandmother got AIDS.
She said, "It just doesn't matter!" Neither does an individual's
race, religion or sexual orientation matter! Don't look
for differences; look at how we can help one another.
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HIV/AIDS and Complementary
therapies |
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Initially, there were no drugs available
to treat HIV/AIDS, but substantial numbers of infected
individuals collaborated, shared experiences and found
an alternative way. Without medications, people incorporated
proper nutrition, exercise and complementary therapies
into their lives. People have been successful at staying
healthy and/or having wellness restored time after
time using complementary therapies, with or without
HIV/AIDS medications. We must acknowledge and give
credibility to this reality!
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I Defied a Death Sentence
How to rise above the fear of disease
diagnosis
The doctor took me into his office and closed
the door. Every word he uttered seemed to run together in my mind.
There was so much frightening information...
My body began to vibrate and even my teeth chattered
uncontrollably. Emotions, fear and a powerful surge of adrenaline
like nothing I had ever before experienced took hold of me. I
was not prepared for what I was hearing.
Only six months to live -- what should I say? How should I deal
with it? Was I really going to die?
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Out About HIV
(Bradford's Message)
Given at the
20th International AIDS Candlelight
Vigil
My name is Bradford McIntyre and I’m
Positively Positive!
I have been living, infected with the HIV
since 1984!
I feel very fortunate sharing in this 20th
Anniversary, with you!
There is more power in people knowing I
am HIV positive, than there ever was in the fear and hiding.
The answers are in letting go of fear!
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Looking
Forward Bradford McIntyre
Living Positively with HIV |
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HIV/AIDS: Improving the Quality of Health
Not to take away from the seriousness of HIV, but it is time to let go of the fear!
How we view disease, along with the constant bombardment of fear associated with
HIV is cause for alarm. We must educate ourselves, those in the medical profession and our
future doctors to address a broader understanding and treatment of disease. The fear and
terror associated with HIV and the fact that the medical profession continues to contribute
to fear is the first thing we need to overcome! Studies with healthy animals show that when
subjected to constant fear and stress they surrender the will to live. Countless deaths of
individuals infected with HIV can be attributed to fear. Telling people they are going to
progress to disease and die, just because they have been infected with HIV is not true! Yet,
these are the messages continually expressed by many in the medical profession.
Even with the latest drug treatments and decline in deaths, many in the medical profession
still convey information to patients in a way that promotes fear.
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MEDIA FAILING IN AIDS FIGHT |
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A report released on Tuesday July 6th 2004 by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS
said "prevention efforts reach one in five people worldwide".
Is it any wonder, that the HIV infection rates are higher than estimated when the average person
has little knowledge of HIV and AIDS? Where is HIV education? HIV education is near to none existent!
If you are an HIV+ individual or with an organization working to educate, then you may have a wealth
of knowledge but still most people know very little. As an individual living with HIV and involved in
creating HIV/AIDS awareness around the world, I constantly hear the many mis-conceptions people have about
HIV and AIDS.
HIV needs to be in the media each and every day!
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"It is bad enough that people are dying of Aids, but no
one should die of ignorance."
Elizabeth Taylor
| HIV and AIDS - NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS |
In many countries throughout the world, people are going
to naturopathic physicians when faced with a health issue.
It is naturopathic physicians, not medical doctors, who are specifically educated as
physicians but with an expertise in alternative medicine. The naturopathic physician spends
years of pre-medical training, which is the same as a medical doctor, as well as spending another
four years in naturopathic training at University. The United States, Australia, Canada, Germany,
New Zealand and South Africa all have 3-4 year courses with a recognized degree.
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