WLTZ Interview with Maria Jones (July 08, 2009)

 

Story Created: Jul 8, 2009 at 2:53 PM CDT Story Updated: Jul 8, 2009 at 9:43 PM CDT

 

The spread of HIV/AIDS is continuing to rise at an alarming rate. In Muscogee County there are 16-hundred cases alone. NBC 38’s Maria Jones sat down with local organization who is working hard to educate the public, while combating the disease. Founder and Chairman of The Better Way Foundation, Living with Hope Center, Jeremy Hobbs says, facing the real issues of HIV-AIDS is one of the major set backs in combating the illness. “What ever we have to do to give you the courage, the strength, the know how please bring it, bring it on. That’s what we want you to do we want you to attend the support groups, Hobbs explained. That Support is the main focus of the foundation, helping those infected and their families live with HIV-AIDS. Hobbs added, “They don’t want to talk about it, oh I don’t want to talk about HIV, you know it’s going to be okay. No its not, people need their families during this crisis and also that families need to be educated, that’s something else we offer too.”

 

During the sessions medical representatives explain all aspects of the illness both physically and mentally. Providing information on the newest medications for fighting the disease.

 

 “And you see the barrel chest or you see the skinny arms and the sunken in face. We can help you overcome that but you have to start today. Because if you don’t it gets harder and harder and harder to pull back from that, the inevitable,” Hobbs stated.

 

Current studies show, African American females as leading in the number of infections. He said, “African American women comprise of 68 percent of HIV cases, and African American men comprise of 66 percent of HIV cases. And that lets me know two things: We are not talking about it at churches, were not talking about it at school. Were not talking about proper evidence based prevention methods and also telling people, go get tested.”

 

 Hobbs says his mission has been questioned since starting this foundation. But his goal remains the same.

 

“Status knowledge is power, the sooner you catch it, if you do have it, its better to know it now then find out ten years from now when it’s already advanced to AIDS,” Hobbs said.

 

On September 19th the First Annual HIV-AID Walk is being held in Columbus. The 5K Run/3 mile Walk will raise money for the cause. There will be free HIV Testing open to the Public. For more info you can call 706-580-6239 or log on to www.betterwayfoundation.com.

 

 

 

By Larry Gierer

 

Jun. 22, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- He is 25 years old, gay, HIV positive and lives in Columbus.

 

Diagnosed a couple of years ago, he says as a teen he was involved in a relationship that would change his life.

 

"When you're young, you really don't think anything bad, anything like this can happen to you — it can."

 

And he says it happened while he was involved with just one person and using protection.

 

"There's no way to know the person you're with is infected, if they don't tell you," he says.

 

Getting tested is the way to find out. That can be done Saturday — National HIV Testing Day — at two locations in Columbus. Tests will be done from 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m. at the Columbus Health Department, 2100 Comer Ave., and from 10 a.m. -- 4 p.m. at the Fluellen Recreation Center, 2824 Eighth St.

 

"If you are going to be sexually active, be safe, get tested," says the man, who must take medication every day.

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reported that between 2006 and 2007 nationwide cases of AIDS increased by 16 percent in teens and 20 percent in young adults. The report states that a lack of fear about getting HIV/AIDS combined with knowledge that medicines have cut the death rate have played a part in that increase.

 

"I had a family member die from AIDS, and I still didn't think about me ever being in that situation," says the 25-year-old man.

 

One person who has noticed an increase in young patients is local physician Folarin Olubowale of the Ultracare Medical Office. He specializes in infectious diseases. He recently spoke at an AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Columbus.

 

"I'm seeing many more young people testing positive and it makes me both sad and concerned," Olubowale says. "They won't be able to ever live the normal life."

He says teaching abstinence is fine but protection must also be taught. "Kids are more promiscuous than ever and at a younger age," he says. "I treated one boy who said he had sex with six or seven girls in a couple of weeks and didn't use protection with any of them."

 

A new documentary, "Oral Sex is the New Good Night Kiss," says 75 percent of kids have had intercourse by the time they're 20 and more than half of all teens 15-19 years of age have engaged in oral sex.

 

"Those who think they are protecting themselves from AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases, with oral sex are wrong," Olubowale says. "One tiny cut in the mouth and you can be infected."

 

He says more education is needed and more awareness of the disease is needed.

"You hear as much about it, but AIDS is there and it's still a killer."

 

He says the numbers of those infected are just the "tip of the iceberg."

 

"You don't think you know somebody with HIV, but you do," he says.

 

Jeremy Hobbs says it's estimated there are 300,000 people in this country who are infected and don't know it, including husbands who have affairs and bring it home to their wives.

 

 

 

 

June 25 was a heartbreaking day for millions worldwide as we heard the news that Michael Jackson was dead ("Michael: King of Pop dies," Cover story, News, Friday).

Despite what many thought of Jackson personally, people from across the globe enjoyed the music he wrote and performed since his 1969 debut with the Jackson 5.

 

Jackson's music and words changed my life for the better. Songs such as We are the World, Earth Song and Will You Be There brought joy, peace and unity into my life.

Furthermore, we must not forget what an astonishing humanitarian he was. In 2000, he held a world record for the most charities supported by a pop star. He made donations to 39 charities, including AIDS foundations that helped many get lifesaving anti-retroviral medicines.

 

As we move forward, let's not forget the true victims of his death: Jackson's three children, who deserve their father's death to be remembered with dignity and respect.

 

With these memories, I bid adieu to the King of Pop, whose legacy, dance moves and music continue to live on.