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Girl Positive: Hydeia Broadbent Shares What Life is like Living with AIDS

05/18/2011
Global, Health, My Story, National
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Today is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. What does that mean, exactly? Well, scientists are still trying to find a vaccine to stop the spread of HIV. And they want to make people aware of what they’ve done, what they’re doing, and that they are still optimistic that they will find a vaccine. You may or may not be interested in the details, but take away the important (and simple) lesson- if you chose to have sex, protect yourself. Ok, it may not always be easy to do, but your life is worth it.

In the first issue of Homegirl NYC, international AIDS activist Hydeia Broadent, who was born with HIV and had full-blown AIDS by age three, shares her story. Here’s an excerpt:

Hydeia Broadbent on the cover of Poz magazine. Photo courtesy of the magazine.

“I am 26 years old. I take 3 HIV/AIDS medications a day and I go to the doctor every three to six months, more if I am feeling ill. I went to college but I had to stop going because I was sick and needed to rest. It is possible for someone living with HIV/AIDS to have a relationship but partners have to be educated on how to stay safe. I am dating someone I have known since high school. We plan on getting married after he is done with school. At one point I was madly in love with someone who was ashamed of letting people know I had full-blown AIDS, which hurt and sometimes brought me down. From that I learned I needed to date a man who was sure of who he was and able to handle people if they said negative things. I can have children without passing HIV onto them but I’m not sure if I will take that risk. I try to stay positive because there are people who are no longer here with us, and I don’t want to walk around depressed when I have a heartbeat. So I try not to think about death. I look at it like everything that lives and breathes will die—I could get hit by a car. I try not to think about it ‘til that day comes. Yes, it’s always there in the back of my mind but it does not affect my everyday outlook.

Hydeia B. in 2009, by Robert John Kley. Photo courtesy of Hydeia.

I am an HIV/AIDS activist. I travel all over the country and the world, speaking at colleges, health conferences and youth events about HIV/AIDS. People think they can tell when someone has HIV/AIDS–they have an image in their minds of maybe of a gay man or an IV drug user, as if those are the only people at risk. I am here to say that image is so wrong! Take me as an example and wipe that right out of your mind. Please remember your health is your responsibility, no one else’s! If you are in a relationship, go with your partner to get tested. If you can’t go together, is this really the person you should be sleeping with? It’s 2010 and we need to understand you can die from having sex! Yes, sex is a beautiful thing and I am not telling anyone not to have sex, but I am tell you to be safe and educate yourself. Getting tested is free and so are condoms in different heath centers or free clinics in every city. All you have to do is Google locations or look them up in the phonebook. We all need to do our part, this is our problem!”

Today is HIV vaccine awareness day… spread the word. To find a testing site near you, visit www.hivtest.org.

Connect with Hydeia online through email (Hydeiabroadbent@gmail.com) or on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/hydeiabroadbent. Check out the rest of what Hydeia had to say in the magazine, available now. 

Global News 10/19/2009-11/1/2009

11/02/2009
Global, News
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Student Deported w/o Her Degree, October 31, 2009, CNN.com

Berlanty Azzam says she was blindfolded, handcuffed and sent back to Gaza by Israeli forces.

Berlanty Azzam is a 21-year-old college senior studying business at Bethlehem University in Jerusalem. She went to Ramallah (the capital of the West Bank) for a job intervew but on her way back, was stopped at a checkpoint guarded by the Israeli Army. She was being deported from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip for illegally staying in the West Bank longer than her permit allowed. Now, she can’t go back and finish her studies and earn her degree. Check out the article for more details.

Dutch Girl Won’t Be Flying Solo Anytime Soon, October 30, 2009, CNN.com

Lauren Dekker, 14, wanted to fly around the world by herself. And when a Dutch court found out that her parents weren’t going to stop her, they put her under the care of the state. On Friday, the court decided that she wasn’t experienced enough to sail solo. Maybe next year, chica.

President of Chile Leaves HER Mark, October 28, 2009, The New York Times (NYT)

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Michelle Bachelet became president of Chile in 2006, making her the first woman to do so. It was a big deal, especially because Chile is a conservative country and she didn’t have a famous husband backing her. Early in her presidency, there were lots of demonstrations and she wasn’t a popular president. But her work, especially her handling of the economy during the recent crisis, helped increase her popularity. With only five months left in office, the 58-year-old single mother of three, is expected to go down in history as one of Chile’s most popular presidents.

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Trying to Stop Rapid Spread of H.I.V. in Russia, October 28, 2009, NYT /Associated Press (AP)

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H.I.V. is spreading is Russia. According to The Times, “the number of Russians infected with H.I.V. has doubled in the past eight years.” So AIDS experts want the country to try new tactics to fight the disease. Russia favors an “abstinence-based strategy,” while experts are encouraging them to try things like needle exchange programs, methadone clinics (for heroin addicts), and free condoms. Some in Russia are wary of some of these programs because they don’t want to seem to “endorse” risky behavior. I say, you better do whatever works.

Tight Jeans Banned in Indonesia, October 28, 2009, The New York Times

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So…apparently, some Muslim women in Indonesia (who live in a certain district of the Aceh Province) will no longer be allowed to rock tight jeans, courtesy of a dress code that goes into effect January 1. Why? “Wearing tight jeans exposes their bodies, which is strictly banned under Islam,” said one man quoted in the story. The law will be enforced by the Shariah police (police who enfore Islamic law). What will happen to the clothes? They will be shredded and the woman will have to wear government-issued skirts. Men are also forbidden from wearting shorts. (map of Indonesia that also explains more info. about religion in diff. parts of the country)

Death Penalty for Adulterers in Indonesia? October 27, 2009, NYT

So, in more Indonesian law news, adulterers can be stoned to death. Now, in addition to giving public canings for gambling, prostitution and affairs as punishment, the Shariah police will be enforcing religious morality more harshly than ever before. Not everyone agrees with these harsh laws or measures, but the country is clearly cracking down…literally.

Making a Better Dominican Baseball Player, October 24, 2009, NYT

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There are lots of famous Dominican baseball players- Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez, A-Rod (although he was born in Washington Heights, not the DR).  And in the Dominican Republic, many are working to make sure that tradition continues, to the point of giving teenage boys injections, vitamins and painkillers to try to make them better players in hopes of getting them to play Major League Baseball (and to get more $ for the agent/trainer/coach). According to the article, “Dominican-born players make up about 17 percent of major league and minor league rosters in the United States and Latin America, but about 38 percent of the players who tested positive for steroids and other banned substances since 2005.”

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Rural Wives “Sold” in India? October 23, 2009, CNN.com

So there’s an article on CNN.com reporting on the hardships of farming familes in rural parts of India, specifically that because of the severe drought and the bad economy, the farmers are in debt and desperate for money. According to the article, “to survive the bad years, some farmers say they turn to the “Paisawalla” — Hindi for the rich man who lends money. Farmers say the loans from these unofficial lenders usually come with very high interest.” And paying it back somes means selling whatever they have- including thier wives…say what now?!

Global News (10/12/09-10/18/09)

10/21/2009
Global, News
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Teen Girl Sets Sail on a Journey Around the World, 10/18/09, New York Daily News (NYDN)

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Jessica Watson, a 16-year-old girl from Australia, set sail on Sunday in an attempt to becomes the youngest person to sails around the world, unassisted. “‘Without assistance’ means a vessel may not receive any kind of outside help or take on board any supplies, materials or equipment during the attempt. A craft may be anchored or beached during the attempt, but any repairs must be made without outside resources, materials or help.” So Jessica and her pink yacht are on their own. It’s a long trip (23,600 miles) and can be very dangerous, so some wonder if she should be allowed to try. Back in August, a court in The Netherlands ruled that 13-year-old Laura Dekker was too young to try. What do you think?

Is Nepalese Teen the World’s Shortest Man? 10/16/09, (NYDN)

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Khagendra Thapa Magar is 22-inches tall. That’s shorter than the length of two rulers, y’all.  His family tried to get him into the Guinness Book of World Records when he was 14, “but was told he was too young and may still grow.” Now he’s 18 and wants his shot at the title. “21-year-old He Pingping of China currently holds the shortest man title, standing just 29-inches tall.”

Global News (10/5/09-10/11/09)

10/12/2009
Global, News
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Follow One Pakistani Girl’s Journey, 10/11/09 New York Times (NYT)

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In all the news about war, some of the most interesting stories are not on the front lines. A few NY Times Reporters write a blog on war-torn areas like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. One of them followed a Pakistani family for several months and produced a piece on the daughter’s journey throughout her family’s difficult journey. Check out the video here. Read more about Pakistan here.

Single Moms Get Support in Korea, October 7, 2009, NYT

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So, here in the U.S., single moms (and ladies) are no big deal. It’s not uncommon to find unwed mothers having babies (or even “babies having babies), bt in Korea, it’s still a very big deal. Being an unwed mother is so taboo, that women are frequently pressured into having abortions or giving their babies up for adoption to save them from the shame of being a single mother. Well a group of women is now trying to change that, by starting :the country’s first unwed mothers association to defend their right to raise their own children.” Interesting story, check it out.

The Nobel Prizes were awarded- President Obama won one; and first prize for a woman in Econ.

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Here’s a little background, courtesy of Nobelprize.org, “Every year since 1901 the Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for peace. The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize. Each prize consists of a medal, personal diploma, and a cash award.”

President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”

Another winner from the U.S., Elinor Ostrom, became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in economics. Yay! Congrats!

See a full list of all the winners here.

Women Targeted in Violence in Guinea, 10/5/09 (NYT)

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According to news reports, there was a political demonstration in Guinea last week ad soldiers came in to shut it down. It was violent and people were killed. There is also evidence (cell phone photos) that women, in particular, were being targeted- beaten, raped, and abused. Here’s more info. on Guinea.

Mobile Phones Becoming Popular in Uganda and other Rural Areas, 10/5/09, NYT

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In rural parts of Uganda, there is almost no electricity and practically no Internet. So people there are using cell phones to get and send information- about crops, sports scores, money transfers, and to sell things. According to the article, “Africa has the fastest-growing mobile phone market worldwide.” MOre info. on Uganda here.

Monsoons in India, 10/5/09, NYT

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After a drought in India, four days of heavy rain leave 240 people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. Here’s more info. on India.

Global News (9/24/09-10/4/09)

10/05/2009
Global, News
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A lot has been going on globally in the past week, here are some of the details:

Iran Plans to Allow Inspectors, Finally, 10/04/09, New York Times (NYT)

Iran has agreed to allow UN inspectors access to one of their new nuclear facilities. See the article for details.

Spotlight on the Glossier Side of Sub-Saharan Africa, 10/4/09, NYT

The stories our of Africa are, let’s face it, usually depressing and tragic. But they don’t tell the whole story. The times has a piece on the glamourous life in sub-saharan Africa- money, cars and lots of clothes.

Indonesian Rocked by Earthquakes, 10/2/09, NYT

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In late September, two earthquakes rocked Indonesia. According to the Times, “On the island of Sumatra, in Indonesia, a 7.6-magnitude quake struck Wednesday evening just 30 miles off the coast of the city of Padang, killing at least 200 people and trapping thousands in buildings.” Then, “A second earthquake struck western Indonesia on Thursday morning more than 100 miles from the epicenter of the quake on Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.” And finally, “Early on Tuesday in the Samoas, an underwater 8.0 magnitude quake produced a tsunami that struck with little warning after dawn, causing at least 103 deaths and 145 injuries, destroying villages throughout the islands. “It is the worst one we have had,” said Lilo Malava, the police commissioner of Samoa, in a telephone interview.” Tragic.

London Teen Did not Die from HPV Vaccine, New York Daily News (NYDN)

When Natalie Morton, a 14-year-old teenage girl in London, died shortly after receiving the HPV vaccine, many thought the vaccine was to blame. (intelligent person side eye). It was not. She died from “a malignant chest tumour and not by a reaction to the vaccine manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.” So smart girls…read more about the vaccine here.

Roman Polanski- Child Rapist/Famed Director Brouhaha, 09/29/09 (NYT)

Roman Polanski, a famed director, was arrested in Switzerland “31 years after he fled the United States following a guilty plea to having had sex with a 13-year old girl.” And the drama ensues. Some in Hollywood have signed a petition urging his release …as others demand he be punished for his crime. Read the article for details on their reasoning. You know our stance- we don’t play with the safety and lives and girls over here. Not at all. Here’s Chris Rock’s take-

South African Children March for Better Schools, 09/24/09, NYT

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According to the article, the children were marching for libraries and librarians. ‘“We want more information and knowledge,” said a ninth grader, Abongile Ndesi.’ Amazing.