Usually, I try not to write diaries about subjects with which I am unfamiliar. It's always nice to feel like I actually know what I'm talking about, and knowledge normally requires some acquaintance with the subject matter. So I ordinarily write about things with which I have personal experience or which I've studied in some detail.
Sometimes, though, you have to break that rule and just write from your gut. Sometimes you simply have to trust that your instincts about something or someone are right. This is definitely one of those times.
Follow me below the now-famous orange curlicue for more.
As many of you know, I'm HIV+. These days, if you're poz, it can feel like there's a lot to get depressed about. According to the National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, for example, across the country there are currently over 9,000 people on ADAP waiting lists. Every one of them is an indigent person with HIV who has no access to lifesaving antiretroviral medication. Think about that for a moment. Thousands of people with a potentially fatal, but perfectly treatable, disease who are left to fend for themselves.
Then there are the grim statistics about new infections. Although the Centers for Disease Control estimate that the number of new infections remained roughly stable between 2006 and 2009, they also say this:
CDC’s new estimates underscore two key HIV prevention challenges that require urgent action:
The current level of HIV incidence in the United States is likely not sustainable. Prevention efforts in recent years have successfully averted significant increases in new HIV infections, despite the growing number of people living with HIV and AIDS who are able to transmit the virus. However, an analysis by CDC and Johns Hopkins University researchers indicates that the growing population of people with HIV and AIDS will lead to significant increases in new HIV infections if current prevention efforts are not intensified. The study emphasizes the importance of ensuring that everyone with HIV knows their status and helping HIV-infected individuals avoid transmission to others.
The increasing number of new HIV infections among young, black gay and bisexual men underscores the importance of reaching young MSM with effective HIV prevention programs, and developing new programs that specifically address the needs of young, black gay and bisexual men. In addition, public health and community leaders can help reduce the stigma that too often surrounds HIV. This includes encouraging frank discussions about HIV and the factors that can contribute to the spread of the disease, such as unsafe sexual or drug-using behaviors, homophobia, higher rates of STDs and lower awareness of HIV status.
I could go on, but you get the idea. The only "good" thing about all this bad news is that it makes the occasional bright spots really stand out.
Which brings me (finally) to the point of this diary. We have one of those bright spots right here on DailyKos. She goes by the name anotherdemocrat. We're strangers to each other. I don't know her. I've never met her or spoken to her and frankly wouldn't recognize her if I saw her. But despite that, I know her well enough to be able to tell you something about her -- anotherdemocrat, and people like her, are what gives me hope.
Go to her profile page and look down her list of diaries. You'll notice a couple of things. One is that they're pretty much all about her efforts to raise money for HIV/AIDS charities in her area. The other is that, unfortunately, her diaries don't attract a lot of recs and comments. They should, though, because they demonstrate that in this time of despair, when the dark side seems triumphant, there are good people who care about their fellow citizens. Anotherdemocrat is one of those people. And she's trying to make a difference, riding and walking to raise money to help people with HIV and AIDS.
I'm sometimes afraid that she and those like her will feel that their good work goes unrecognized and that this will cause them to lose heart. Being an unsung heroine probably isn't terribly satisfying. That's why I think it's important to acknowledge those who truly reflect the better angels of our nature. And that's why today I decided I'd give thanks for the kindness of a stranger.
So I salute you, anotherdemocrat, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your giving spirit. Only because of people like you am I able to maintain my faith in humanity. I have nothing to offer you but my gratitude, but I offer it in abundance.
My most sincere and hearfelt thanks for all that you (and those like you) do.
(P.S.: If you've read this far and would like to help anotherdemocrat reach her fundraising goal for AIDS Walk Austin, you can donate right here at her personal AIDS Walk Austin page.)