Hope.
Hope is often an emotion used everyday. Hoping that everyday was better than the last, hoping that your family will always be beside you, no matter what, hope that one day you can stand up for something that means a lot to you.
Watching one show almost reduced me into tears. This program was Extreme Makeover - Home Edition. It sounds silly; once you watched this one program you will understand exactly what hit me. This program was about HIV/Aids. The lady that had adopted children was surprised, she knew that two of her adopted sons had aids and their brothers were clear of this disease. This isn't what hit me, knowing their story was what did it for me. It was like a fireball full of emotion. Hearing only a glimpse of what they go through day to day and coming out stronger than ever. Their teachers wouldn't let the other students go into the same toilet as them in case they catch it. They wouldn't be invited out by "friends" because they would be scared that they could catch it. Hearing this made me disgusted and disappointed in some kind of sense, the teachers are teaching the students something that is completely wrong. HIV and aids cannot be passed by any of those things.
They explained that people wouldn't want to be near them, hug them or even talk to them in case they catch something. This was putting a strain on their family, it seemed like they weren't welcome.
Halfway through this program they were creating/making an holiday place for people in the summer, suffering with HIV/AIDS. People that go there get the chance to meet people in the same situation, having the same problems or just a place to escape and have fun without the reminder of it.
After the hut was made, a small boy stood up in front of a small fire, the people surrounding it were HIV positive or had AIDS or people that know/knew someone that is affected by this. So, this small boy stood up, he opened his mouth and poured out his heart. In one hand was a candle, in the other was a microphone.
Once he opened his mouth everyone was silent. He said: "My mum is HIV positive. People can't catch HIV from hugging, touching, speaking or even breathing near someone. My mum is and always will be my mum. I won't call her anything else but mum, she deserves the best and I won't stop hugging her, I won't stop speaking to her, I love her and I always will."
Discriminating against someone because of what they have isn't going to make you feel better. Their life. It's their life and I'm sure if they could chose what they had and what they didn't, I reckon they wouldn't want the disease. Knowing that someone could be judging them, being at risk of having no friends or anyone to talk too. How would you feel in their position? No one and I mean No One should be put in that position and if I could, I would want to listen to their story and be by their side as much as I can. The lady that adopted those four unique sons I would see as a role model. She wanted the world for those children. Her house was breaking and she was at the point of giving up, the desperate plea to Extreme Makeover was her last chance, they saved and changed all of their lives. It would be an unbelievable experience to be a part of that it's changed the way I see things. They were on the brink of giving up but they have been given, like the lady said "not only a foundation but a foundation of hope"
Hope can be just as strong as the strongest medicine there is out there.
~Soph.
