HIV: The Bad
7:40 AM
Ha Ha! Just fooling!
In all honesty... what is HARD about raising an HIV+ child?
Only the fear I have as their parent of WHEN they will experience hurt and rejection, WHO it will come from, and WHAT form it will take. Because I don't kid myself into thinking it WON'T ever happen. I know the world too well. I just worry for her. And I try to prepare her, by role playing what she would say if.... If a friend asks about her medicine... If an adult asks why she has to go to the hospital every so often... If...
Some of those she or I CAN "push off" in a way by saying she has a seizure disorder. And I've given her "permission" to "use" that if she's uncomfortable or unsure or if she can tell the person asking isn't asking out of love, but out of gossip.
Olivia's funny in that when she was younger she WANTED to tell... everyone... all of her friends, etc about her HIV. I think for a while it was this "thing" she "had". Surrounding her adoption we talked about it a lot. I have ALWAYS told her I would support her in ANY decision she made with regards to telling people. No. Matter. What. BUT, I would also cautiously remind her of things we've discussed regarding people's fear and the fact that once it's told, you can't untell. She never did actually tell people, and now at 9 she's at a point where she really doesn't want or feel the need to tell others. I think she realizes the possible ramifications and where before she kind of liked the idea of "standing out" and "having this thing", now she wants to fit in and be like everyone else.
She likes having control over her disclosure. There is another whole page on that topic itself as it's a big one in the HIV world. She knows it's nothing to be ashamed of, and isn't, but is also starting to understand why she might choose to keep that information private. And while as a parent, inside, in a way I wish no one who would ever be negative about it would find out, I know that's not a reality. And my fear is for her heart.
Other than that, the ups and downs of raising a child, period: an adopted child, a dancer, a child with attachment issues, or past trauma, a sports genius to be, or... it's life itself that can be rough and/or wonderful. But not the HIV aspect. Really.
And if you don't believe ME, then read up on it HERE, because this post sums it up better than I ever could!
In all honesty... what is HARD about raising an HIV+ child?
Only the fear I have as their parent of WHEN they will experience hurt and rejection, WHO it will come from, and WHAT form it will take. Because I don't kid myself into thinking it WON'T ever happen. I know the world too well. I just worry for her. And I try to prepare her, by role playing what she would say if.... If a friend asks about her medicine... If an adult asks why she has to go to the hospital every so often... If...
Some of those she or I CAN "push off" in a way by saying she has a seizure disorder. And I've given her "permission" to "use" that if she's uncomfortable or unsure or if she can tell the person asking isn't asking out of love, but out of gossip.
Olivia's funny in that when she was younger she WANTED to tell... everyone... all of her friends, etc about her HIV. I think for a while it was this "thing" she "had". Surrounding her adoption we talked about it a lot. I have ALWAYS told her I would support her in ANY decision she made with regards to telling people. No. Matter. What. BUT, I would also cautiously remind her of things we've discussed regarding people's fear and the fact that once it's told, you can't untell. She never did actually tell people, and now at 9 she's at a point where she really doesn't want or feel the need to tell others. I think she realizes the possible ramifications and where before she kind of liked the idea of "standing out" and "having this thing", now she wants to fit in and be like everyone else.
She likes having control over her disclosure. There is another whole page on that topic itself as it's a big one in the HIV world. She knows it's nothing to be ashamed of, and isn't, but is also starting to understand why she might choose to keep that information private. And while as a parent, inside, in a way I wish no one who would ever be negative about it would find out, I know that's not a reality. And my fear is for her heart.
Other than that, the ups and downs of raising a child, period: an adopted child, a dancer, a child with attachment issues, or past trauma, a sports genius to be, or... it's life itself that can be rough and/or wonderful. But not the HIV aspect. Really.
And if you don't believe ME, then read up on it HERE, because this post sums it up better than I ever could!
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About Me
I am a single mom to four amazing kids; each of whom just happen to have been adopted. The first three were adopted through foster care, and we just completed an international adoption from Haiti. Our family has grown through adoption and I am all the more blessed to know each of my children. I worship a mighty God, teach Special Ed, love bargains, and am inspired by Pinterest... come along with us for the ride!
Olivia - 14
Braeden - 11
Liam - 9
Macy - 5
Blog Archive
What you should know about HIV
-HIV can NOT be spread through casual/household contact. HIV is not spread through hugging, kissing, shaking hands, sharing toys, sneezing, coughing, sharing food, sharing drinks, bathing, swimming or any other casual way. It has been proven that HIV and AIDS can only be spread through sexual contact, birth, breastfeeding and blood to blood contact (such as sharing needles).
- HIV is now considered a chronic but manageable disease. With treatment, people who are HIV+ can live indefinitely without developing AIDS and can live long and full lives.
- People who are HIV+ deserve to be treated with love, respect, support and acceptance as all people do.
Additional information on transmission of HIV can be found on the Center for Disease Control website: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources
Other Awesome Blogs
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5 years ago
Orphan Crisis
• 147 million orphans in the world
• 50 million orphans in Africa
• Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS
• 16,000,000 have been orphaned by AIDS
• Every week, AIDS claims as many lives as American fatalities in the Vietnam War
• 854 million people do not have enough to eat
• Malnutrition is associated with the deaths of 5 million children under the age of five
• Every 2 seconds an orphan dies from malnutrition
• 50 million orphans in Africa
• Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS
• 16,000,000 have been orphaned by AIDS
• Every week, AIDS claims as many lives as American fatalities in the Vietnam War
• 854 million people do not have enough to eat
• Malnutrition is associated with the deaths of 5 million children under the age of five
• Every 2 seconds an orphan dies from malnutrition
Hence the title of my blog
Little Did I Know
Little did I know that the road would be so rocky
Little did I know that the trip would take so long
Little did I know that my heart could hurt so much
Little did I know that God is never wrong
Little did I know that love could be so powerful
Little did I know that a dream so far could go
Little did I know that God would place the right ones
Little did I know that my heart, so large, could grow
Little did I know that a dream has it’s own timing
Little did I know that this day would finally come
Little did I know that four souls would be sent to guide me
Little did I know that they would choose to call me mom
But God knew all along and He had a plan to follow
God knew all along that my dream would soon come true
God knew all along that we five should be together
God knew all along that I’d share it all with you
Little did I know that the road would be so rocky
Little did I know that the trip would take so long
Little did I know that my heart could hurt so much
Little did I know that God is never wrong
Little did I know that love could be so powerful
Little did I know that a dream so far could go
Little did I know that God would place the right ones
Little did I know that my heart, so large, could grow
Little did I know that a dream has it’s own timing
Little did I know that this day would finally come
Little did I know that four souls would be sent to guide me
Little did I know that they would choose to call me mom
But God knew all along and He had a plan to follow
God knew all along that my dream would soon come true
God knew all along that we five should be together
God knew all along that I’d share it all with you