Bullying -A Fathers Painful Choice
Posted by Tom Thayer in 
A sad note regarding bullying from the UK. If you didn’t know this sad story about a fathers grief over loosing his son to bullying. We’ve seen and read so many horrible stories recently about bullying all over the world. How do you stop it?
The father of a bullied British teen who committed suicide in 2010 has himself ended his own life, an inquest has found.
55-year-old Roger Crouch had become a strong advocate against anti-gay bullying after his 15-year-old son, Dominic, jumped from a building near his school in Gloucestershire in May 2010. The younger Crouch had become the victim of taunts and rumors after kissing a boy during a game on a school trip.
The elder Crouch subsequently became a vocal campaigner against homophobic bullying, and last November 3 was given the Hero of the Year award by the UK’s Stonewall organization. Less than a month later, Crouch was found hanging from a noose by his wife Paola. She later agreed with psychiatrists that her husband ultimately had been overcome by grief at the loss of their son. “I think it’s what you might call in an old fashioned way, a broken heart,” she told the Gloucester Coroners Court.
What a tragic end to a father who fought so hard against bullying. You wonder what goes on in a persons mind full of sorrow no matter how many people gather around to support him. We wish his widow to find peace somehow amongst loosing her family.
Tom Thayer
Full story here: http://www.queerty.com/yet-another-bullying-tragedy-suicide-claims-stonewall-hero-of-the-year-20120222/#ixzz1n8gpD03U
New HIV Outbreak in Alaska Raises Concerns
News from our 49th State to the North regarding HIV/AIDS. There has been a recent spike of HIV infections in that area more than its ever had. Most of the cases are on the military base Ft. Wainwright.
State epidemiologists issued public health bulletins Tuesday to alert everyone in Alaska to outbreaks of syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the disease that if untreated can cause AIDS. Statewide, between 20 and 40 newly-acquired and newly-reported cases of HIV/AIDS are reported to public health officials most years, Jones said. But in 2010, the last year official numbers were reported, there were 77 cases. I know it doesn’t sound like a lot unless you’re one of the ones infected but the results of those infected are concerning.
- Seven of the newly-infected patients were connected in some way to the military. They were either active duty soldiers at Fort Wainwright, sexual partner(s) of someone in the military, or the family members of someone in the military.
- Gay or bisexual men account for all but one of the new cases.
- Six had a documented, negative HIV diagnosis in the 13 months prior to testing positive.
- Four were not yet 20 years old.
Eight of the new patients acknowledged having high-risk, unprotected and/or anonymous sex with random partners. Craigslist and Adam4Adam were the two most-cited websites used in Alaska to cruise for anonymous hookups. Today’s generation of HIV-positive people overwhelmingly hook up online, anonymously. And that poses another problem for public health professionals on the front lines, attempting to stop disease from spreading.
The U.S. military tests soldiers for HIV every two years and requires annual training on high-risk sexual behaviors. The military does not accept HIV positive applicants but does require additional testing for soldiers who are deploying or returning from overseas. HIV-positive soldiers can stay on active duty, though they “have special rules” and become ineligible for deployment. Soldiers shouldn’t avoid testing: those who test positive can remain active duty until they become really sick and begin to demonstrate progressive clinical illnesses or immunological deficiency according to the story. We’re seeing that the online world of hook ups and again the uniformed youth will lead to increased HIV/AIDS & STI/STD infections.
Tom Thayer
Past-Present-Future
Where’s your Future leading?
Your Past is gone, so LIVE your Present!!!
Make your Future better.
This inspiring, uplifting and caring fuzzy message was brought to you by the good folks at : Team ARE.
This Day in History: Major Finding- Drug Curbs HIV Infection in Newborns-February 21, 1994
February 21, 1994
For most of the early 90s, AZT was the most widely recognized anti-HIV drug utilized in the United States. Earlier studies questioned its effectiveness, but a major study in 1994 found that the use of AZT had a dramatic impact on the transmission of HIV from mother to newborn.
The study marked the first time in history that scientists recognized the possibility of curbing or eliminating transmission from mother to infant. The initial results were so dramatic, that the long-term planned research was halted by the federal government and clinical alerts were immediately issued to health care providers around the country. These alerts provided information about how the use of AZT could prevent the spread of the disease to the children of HIV infected mothers.
Read the full story here: http://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/21/us/in-major-finding-drug-curbs-hiv-infection-in-newborns.html
For more information about ARE’s services, or to learn how you can help, contact Janet Tinkham at 540-536-5293. This post has been provided by ARE volunteer Victoria Kidd, freelance writer, certified professional résumé writer, and owner of OMP Consulting Group. (Visit www.ompcg.com to learn more about our business blogging or personal résumé writing services.)
Brazil’s Carnival Underway With HIV/AIDS Preventions
Happy Fat Tuesday to all…. This story seems fitting with the week of festivities going on around the globe.
AIDS Response Effort just held our annual Mardi Gras “Masquerade Ball” this past Saturday to much success.
It’s party time in Brazil with Carnival celebrations officially underway. Brazil is ready to help its citizens and the more than one million tourists visiting their country to prevent the contraction of HIV/AIDS. Infections in other countries like Brazil are staggering, so they are taking a great role in preventive measures for this massive street party.
Health officials will distribute over 70 million free condoms across the country in order to promote safe sex during the famously lustful celebrations. Wow, over 70 mill!
There will also be free HIV tests available on-site at Carnival, particularly in Rio de Janeiro and surrounding cities where the most tourists stay for some of the biggest parades and parties during the week-long festivities.
Carnival is also a test drive for Rio, which is also preparing to host the final matches of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. The tourism department predicts the city will be welcoming 3 million visitors this summer alone. We wish them well with this huge undertaking of prevention.
Tom Thayer
ARE Mardi Gras Final Talley- THANK You All For The Best Event EVER!
ARE, its Board, Director, Staff & Volunteers want to express its deepest thanks to ALL those who attended our 6th Annual Mardi Gras “Queen of Hearts Masquerade Ball” which made it the MOST SUCCESSFUL EVER!!!!
Can I have a drum roll please?….
After expenses leaving a grand profit of $13,821.21…. THANKS TO ALL who made this possible.. Its the biggest year ever in all our Mardi Gras Fundraisers!!! We already have plans in the works for next years event… contact us to be a part…
Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good Times roll!) Happy Fat Tuesday tomorrow! ..Again, we humbly thank everyone who attended, sponsors, volunteers and those that gave for a great cause. We are touched deeply…
Tom Thayer
ADAP Wait List Update
Our agency has been affected by the Government cutbacks thus having to refer clients to the ADAP Program. That program has a ‘wait list’. If you didn’t know about ADAP, here’s a breakdown and update where Virginia stands.
The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is a national program that was started by the United States government through the Ryan White Act in 1987 to provide free or low cost drugs to people with HIV who have limited financial resources.
Generally, these are people who have an income that is too high for Medicaid, but too low to afford life saving medications and services and without private health insurance.
The PURPOSE AND MISSION of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program is to ENSURE that FINANCIALLY CHALLENGED individuals living with HIV/AIDS HAVE ACCESS TO LIFE-SAVING MEDICATIONS.
Access to Health Care
In America today, it is a struggle for millions of people to afford the health care they need. The threat of rising health insurance premiums and the prospect of losing coverage altogether has become a constant concern for far too many American families.
ADAPs With Waiting Lists
(4,575 individuals in 12 states, as of February 2, 2012)
|
Virginia |
1,100 |
24% |
-3 |
November 2010 |
Tom Thayer
info: http://www.thebody.com/content/65635/the-adap-watch.html
http://www.dabtheaidsbearproject.com/adwalicrinam.html
Thanks to All Event Sponsors and Volunteers
Ok, we want to thank all the sponsors, volunteers and event chairperson (Mark Grim) & his team for the hard work to make this event the best ever.
I’ll list all the sponsors & thank you’s first of the week… Till then, everyone… go lay back down & rest…
where’s my cup of tea??
tom
Partys Over
Whew, I need more coffee and sure you do also if you were at our Masquerade Ball last night.
Lemme rest a minute & will be back to chit-chat
Will We See You at The Masquerade Ball?
The Elks Lodge is almost completed with decorations for Saturday nights festive party. Tell your friends if they don’t have tickets yet we still have some at the door.
Don’t miss the best party in town…….Get your costumes ready and we’ll see you Saturday night. Who wants to get ‘beaded’?
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Recent News Articles
- Bullying -A Fathers Painful Choice
- New HIV Outbreak in Alaska Raises Concerns
- Past-Present-Future
- This Day in History: Major Finding- Drug Curbs HIV Infection in Newborns-February 21, 1994
- Brazil’s Carnival Underway With HIV/AIDS Preventions
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