NPR: Coping When AIDS Hits Your Family

Coping When AIDS Hits Your Family

“Carla Bailey's story is a sober reminder that the AIDS crisis isn't over.”

I remember when a member of my extended family was diagnosed with AIDS, and how hard she fought against it. Over this Thanksgiving, we talked about her and all the gifts she gave to us and her daughter, who is now married and doing great.

Well, today we had on Carla Bailey and her daughter Jamie Bailey-Rataj. Carla is a mother of six who has been battling full blown AIDS for more than a decade.

When she first was diagnosed, she didn't want to tell her three children. We talked about how she told them and the rest of her family; how she's gone on to be an AIDS advocate in Los Angeles; and how she went on to adopt three more children (her brother's) after her diagnosis.

It's a story of strength that we all can learn from, and a sober reminder that the crisis isn't over.

Farai Chideya

Tags: AIDS

7:43 PM ET | 11-30-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

how many additional human beings have these 'knowningly' full-blown aids 'living people' inflected with hiv because of their irresponsible lack of sexual hygiene/practices over the years - while they lived in denial?

Sent by dirtyblues | 2:51 PM ET | 12-01-2007

Wow, how insensitive can we be to issues that may one day affect / infect one of our loved ones. I totally disagree with dirtyblues on his/her view of HIV. Some may become infected due to irresponsibility, but to generalize to the entire population is very irresponsible on your part. There are many individuals who are infected due to reasons beyond their control,and it's not always due to them being irresponsible or even having practices that are less than desirable.

You need to educate yourself on how this disease is contracted and familiarize yourself with the research that is being conducted as to why the number of HIV/AIDS are on the rise. You may learn something.

Sent by Kimberly | 7:46 PM ET | 12-05-2007

I think "dirtyblues" has a knack for going through different blogs just to raise eyebrows with his brand of insensitivity and oft times, ignorance.

Hello dirtyblues, some (if not many)people get the HIV virus through committed and/or married relationships. And maybe you could pick a book of the epidemic of the disease in South Africa where kids got infected for lack of medical attention during their mothers' pregnancy who got the disease from their straying husbands. After the enlightenment through reading, I hope you drink a healthy dose of compassion.

Sent by Moji | 12:47 PM ET | 12-06-2007

Off with the old and on with the new -you. Each year I search for a motivating and meaningful slogan. This year I have created a slogan which can also be utilized as a goal. Everything starts with athought.
Initiate and Be Great in the Year 2008.

Sent by Ajuba Joy (ah- jew -bah) | 9:45 PM ET | 12-30-2007

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