News like this saddens me.
Over the weekend, a 2-year-old boy was banned from using the pool or showers in an RV park because he was HIV positive.
The toddler was vacationing with his foster parents in Alabama and the park owner found out his HIV status through what the mother termed as "casual conversation" with a park employee.
Said owner Ken Zadnichek, "We weren't sure if somebody could get the virus if the child upchucked on them or from blood or what. We didn't know what the risk was. That's why we asked for something from their doctor or the county health department." (SOURCE)
Of COURSE this child was black.
Say what you will, but I always feel as if race plays a factor in just putting these children out like trash.
In fact, this reminds me of segregation, when blacks couldn't use pools or drinking fountains or the same facilities as whites...
I know, I know, AIDS is based on "medical facts" whereas segregation was based on some made-up BS, but people, we've been living with AIDS for over 25 YEARS (and Counting...) For this guy to say "We weren't sure about upchuck or blood is just backwards.
There is scientific based evidence that says that you CANNOT get the HIV virus or AIDS from a pool. You can't get it in the showers, or from drinking after someone. You can't get it from getting a tattoo. Or from kissing. Or from upchuck in a pool!
Gimme a break. This child already has a tough road ahead -- do we need to treat him like a damn leper?
Comments: (351)
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By: mercedes on 7/09/2007 2:34PM
i think that was very unfair
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By: Cecil Jones on 7/09/2007 3:23PM
God works in mysterious ways, but this little innocent child exposes the flaws in some of our thinking. People in Hollywood led by Oprah and even Obama and his wife want to publicly disclose the HIV status of individuals. This little boy should be saying, "Shame on you!" Nothing good comes from making anyone's HIV status public. Magic Johnson was rich and above society. He didn't need to work another day in his life. People are drawn to Magic because he can make them money and he is non threatening because they could sue him. This little boy is innocent and nobody should have revealed his HIV status. Nothing good will ever come from knowing his status. Fear is an excuse that allows us to do cowardly things. Endless war is a cousin of this fear.
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By: Lovely Dayss on 7/09/2007 5:06PM
Poor Baby,
My question is how did the park know his status?
It's because of this out of control behavior that has people who have HIV, hide in society, without seeking help? Why should anyone seek treatment??? when the only treatment they will recieve is isolation, misunderstanding, and prejudice!
Where's the LOVE?
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By: choochoo on 7/09/2007 5:06PM
that sucks! i feel sorry for the little boy. his status should have not been exposed to the uneducated loser that kicked him out of the pool. He needs to go read a book and research HIV/AIDS and apologize to the boy!
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By: Roz on 7/09/2007 5:06PM
WHAT A DAMN SHAME!!!!!
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By: Be-eazy on 7/09/2007 5:06PM
That is just wrong! How dare they stigmatize a child like that? Is this some sort of trend waiting to happen..to ban ppl with HIV from water parks or gym showers...Are there going to be posters outside pool areas saying "HIV pool down the road." How could he just take it upon himself to ban the baby, if life isn't already going to be hard enough as it is. Maybe the owner should of made a phone call to the local hospital Before he decided to kick the child out. Either way, if it was my child I would sue based on discrimination (not for race but for medical reasons)
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By: Be-eazy on 7/09/2007 5:25PM
Also, the momma shoulda kept her mouth closed. White ppl always tryin to be the savior of somebody.
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By: Paula Hampton on 7/09/2007 7:55PM
This unfortunaet act proves that we have gotten no where. Also who leaked this information. I beleive it may have been the Foster mother, who was most-likely haveing a innocent chat with another parent,
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By: Pumpkin315 on 7/10/2007 10:56AM
It is a shame, with all the increasing information freely available about HIV that some people still have their brain stuck in reverse. Regardless of race,these are innocent children and babies who just want to be loved. Other parents should have taken their children/families from the RV park also, I would have. Who KNOWS what the owner might have? Society should never do business with "IGNORANT" proprietors. Knowledge is power.
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By: ROSEANNE on 7/10/2007 10:57AM
I think that is appauling. He can go in my pool!!!!! Although the Park Owners are clearly un-educated idiots, I see no reason to play the race card. Aids is carried by all colors and races and most people are scared or worried when an HIV pos person is around. Especially when it comes to the money factor or children catching it. I feel so sad for the little angel. Park should be fined and let the kid have the money to play in his own pool!
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