Surviving Judgement

Hi blog family!  Today’s story is inspired by a tip from one of my favorite readers and best friends, Miss Devin Payne J  Hope you all had a short and painless Monday.  I went shopping with the fabulous Adrianne Iberg and played with my dog…what can I say, life it hard. ;)  Tomorrow it’s back to work with a yearly contract-renewal meeting for the Levitt Shell, an awesome local music venue which was completely renovated in 2008—about 50 years after Elvis gave one of his first concerts there.  Memphis ride or die, y’all.  And now for our feature presentation:

As most of the world honors a day in which to commemorate HIV and AIDS education, November 23rd, it is apparent that ignorance still exists and in circles that have access to all the knowledge available.  The recent denied admittance of a middle school child is a very poignant example of the mental block millions of people still experience regarding HIV.  Born with the virus, the young man is able to stay healthy by taking vitamins and five daily pills.  Even though the 13-year-old boy is an accomplished student athlete and on the honor roll—he already speaks two foreign languages, the private Philadelphia boarding school refuses to allow him to attend due to his HIV-positive status. 

         The boy and his family filed a lawsuit against the school which in turn filed a federal a federal court request to approve their decision.  Administrators argue that the health and safety of the over 1800 current students is the main issue behind their decision.  The Milton-Hershey School is unlike most other boarding schools, as it is completely tuition-free and intended for low-income households.  Because students live together in dorms with 10 to 12 other peers, the school argues "no child can be assumed to always make responsible decisions which protect the well being of others," according to Yahoo! Shine.

         The flaw in the school’s argument involves the transmission of the disease, as only direct contact with certain bodily fluids—those not exposed in daily circumstances—can cause another party to become infected.  Further, the National Association of State Boards of Education has voiced its expert opinion that no risks exist for those in day care, school or sports with an HIV positive or AIDS afflicted person.  Milton-Hersh cannot point to any contractual documentation asserting health safety issues either; its statement only addresses “need, motivation, and personal character.”

         Despite the school appearing private, students are accepted based on merit and anyone who meets the outlined standards is supposed to be deemed eligible.  It does not seem fair that someone who already has to face a debilitating disease—one which they themselves had no part in contracting—also has to be faced with the disappointment of being denied an education they have worked hard to receive.  This young man never got to choose a life with HIV; shouldn’t he be allowed to at least choose where to go to school, in order to have the brightest future?  Adolescents such as himself are an inspiration, not a burden to society.

         For more on this story visit Philadelphia NBC news affiliate’s page at: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/health/Hershey-School-HIV-Lawsuit-Boy-134802368.html.

         Thanks for reading!  As a newly-initiated member of the Pinterest phenomenon, I give you one of my top ‘pin picks’:

Love you all, CAR-CAR <3