Selected Comments from the Participants

”Around 2006 I left my job on disability after having chronic back pain from a fractured back I suffered in a very serious automobile accident in 1989. (Also as you can see in my photo I lost one of my legs in that same accident)?. Please note that losing a limb and dealing with chronic pain from a fractured back was better than having to reveal my HIV status to others all because of fear and stigma.” A.B. Dallas, TX

“I am a Portuguese-speaking woman raised as a Catholic. I have friends and family who suffer from HIV/AIDS?. Because they worry what friends, family and society think, they isolate themselves, and by doing so are prevented from getting treatment. I’m trying to fight the ignorance that prevents all of us from seeing these people as our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters.” S S-M Toronto, Canada

"I'd hate to die with the knowledge that the human race was incapable of realizing that we are potentially invincible. If we'd love everyone as we love ourselves, we could truly move mountains. I learned that in Mexico meeting so many HIV-positive individuals. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.” R.D.

“Initially, I did not know anything about HIV/AIDS. I discriminated and stigmatized against people living with the virus until I started my health program and got so enlightened. ? People who are living with the virus get laid off work, they are taunted at work places, school, hospitals. Such treatments can cause depression and even death. People should learn to see HIV like any other sickness such as malaria or diabetes; although they can even be worse in the real sense of it.” O.C.J. Abuja, Nigeria"

“As long as there is HIV-related stigma adults and children will not come forward to be tested and to receive life-enhancing ART. We all need to fight stigma and discrimination for in that way we will improve both the quality and length of [the] precious lives [of the children].” J.M. Cape Town, S.A.

“Four years ago, I lost my brother [Javier] when he was 19, and he was a guy who never knew how he got AIDS. And I was the older sister who was with him until his last breath. I remember the day the doctors [told] my family the diagnosis, unfortunately my family reacted so bad, they even burned his clothes.” T.S. Mexico City.