Is this my opportunity...?

[livingpositively]

I am so excited right now.  After a great time spent with SDgirl and Zephyr this past weekend, I walked away from our "meeting" with a sense that I was "supposed to do something".  Not knowing when, where, how, etc...I just had this intense feeling.  Being fairly new to this whole "journey", it was a scary feeling, I guess, but compelling none the less.

I am in school (online program) for my MBA and just started a new class this week - Ethics and Legal...
Our assignments each week are to review case studies and pick out the legal and ethical issues and analyze.  MUCH participation in the discussion boards (similar to our forums here) is required.  So I dig in today and start looking at some stuff on the discussion board and find that our first assignment has to do with potential wrongful termination, etc of a guy with HIV/AIDS.

Is this my opportunity (albeit a small group of people in my class) to provide some education, perhaps reduce a little stigma or whatever among these people?  It sure feels/looks like it to me.  I intend on taking this chance to throw some info out there, even if it doesn't REALLY have to do with the actual legal side of this case study.  A little extra information never hurt anyone, right? 

Thanks all for being here.  Without this family, I would completely be hiding from the world right now.  You guys have given me strength to face this head on. 

Shane

[Lisa]

Oh YEAH BABY!!!!!

Latch onto it like a pit bull, and givem' hell.
Funny how things just fling themselves into our laps huh?

Run with it. I'm already proud of you, and you haven't even dug in yet.


     GO SHANE GO ! !

[anniebc]

Dear Shane

This is definately an opputunity not to be missed..this is your chance to "do something" and remember, the louder the voice the more attention we get, stigma and discrimination has to be stopped, and who better to do it than those of us living with HIV.

I know you will make us proud..so grab it with both hands and run with it.

Hugs
Jan

[Joe K]

Hey Shane,

I believe that Fate has a way of presenting us with opportunities and what we do with them is up to us.  You already knew you were going to do this before you posted.  I'll guess you've got this strange feeling, that you can't quite describe, but you know you have to do something with this opportunity.

May I be the first to welcome you to the wonderful and powerful world of Advocacy.  Advocating is simplier than most people realize.  All you are doing is speaking for those who either will not or cannot.  It really can be that simple.  This is your first taste... something tells me it won't be your last.

[aztecan]

Hey Shane,
Grab the ball and run with it! This is a great opportunity.

Sometimes the fates seem to deal us a hand we can actually use.

HUGS,

Mark

[Christine]

Listen to your instincts. If the little voice inside your head is saying this is the right thing to do, then it is. Good luck with your assignments!
Christine

[livingpositively]

Thanks all for your support.  Who knew that a business class in legal and ethical issues could bring out so much ignorance.  It's amazing how many people in my class have stated that there is an ethical responsibility by both the employer and infected employee to disclose to other employees, so "they are aware of the risk to them and their families".  OY!!!

We certainly have a long and winding road ahead of us, now don't we.

Shane

[Rob - Dublin]

Hi Shane,

Fab opportunity I agree. I have 250 of my lawyer peers to give a lecture to as part of 'The Changing Face of Law in Ireland' in September. How bout helping me out and coming over to deliver.....................................Could be the start of a whole new career for u!!

Rob

[Moffie65]

Oh Jesus, Mother of Mercy!

So I am reading this thread, tears dripping on my Dell laptop, when I get to just the preceding post, and a shudder of power courses through my veins as I read Robs' invitation to speak in Ireland.  Now that warning that I gave all of you over the Christmas hollidays, is now coming into fruition.  We here at AIDSmeds.com, are one very powerful and dynamic force to be dealt with.  I am feeling such a rush of pride to see you guys jumping onto opportunities that are being thrown at you daily. 

WHAT A RUSH

I think the future of HIV activism is alive and well and I have a load of hope for the future and ultimate victory over the seemingly insurmountable challenges that you are going to be facing in this work.

It can work, and it will work, but only if people like Shane and Rob and all of you; take every chance to do the easy thing, and turn on the lights for the people walking in the dark.

I am in awe of all of you.

In Love!

[Oceanbeach]

Dear Shane,

Isn't it amazing how a "controllable illness" can change our lives?  I have 12 years of HIV, 10 of those with AIDS.  It took 9 of those years to get all the assistance programs in place to find they may not be available in 2 to 3 years.  I remember spending two years on a waiting list to get on a waiting list for rent subsity and three years on that list and the house I had lived in for 5 years did not qualify for Section 8 assistance.

I moved from Los Angeles to a tiny little town to find most of the services and quality care were not available because I moved to a Title II EMA from a Title I EMA and the funding stayed in Los Angeles.

Getting a job after 10 years of unemployment, that is a terrific one.  Former Vice President of a national firm... What heve you been doing for the past 10 years Mr. Sonomabeach?  I'm sorry, a more qualified applicant has been found, good luck with your employment search and thasnk you for thinking of XYZ Company.

Shane good job and thank you.  Have the best day
Michael

www.Commission-on-AIDS.org 

[livingpositively]

Well, it is the end of the week and the case study is finished.

Of course I don't know what people put in their individual papers to the professor, but I do know that I posted HELL out of that message board.  I realize I didn't/can't change the world in a week, BUT several people responded to posts with such quips as "Thanks for the info, Shane, I didn't know (or wasn't aware) of that..." and other similar type posts.  I also noticed that a couple people who were adamant that this guy's status should have been disclosed to other employees, rather changed their tune by the end of the week.  YAY!!!    I feel so good about this week.  It has really given me a feeling of empowerment.  Still a long way to go, but it was a start in any case.

Thanks again, everyone, for your support.

Shane