AIDS around the world: CONFRONTING AIDS: CONFRONTING AIDS in D.C.

where more than 90 percent of women with the disease are blackAccording to the D.C. Department of Health, women accounted for a third of all newly reported HIV/AIDS cases between 2001 and 2006, with African­American women being disproportionately affected. Most of those women were of child-bearing age, putting their children at risk. The number of women in the District living with AIDS increased by more than 75 percent in that six-year period. The most common form of transmission for women was heterosexual contact. In the 14 years since she learned she was HIV-positive, Juanita Brown Sims has turned to her faith for support. Sims, 42, shares her poem, {quote}Don't Look at My HIV, You Won't See Me{quote} in the hope of giving support to others who have the virus. What are you looking at Are you looking at my HIV If you is you can't see me. I'm strong, I'm gifted, I'm lovable but most of all I'm free Don't look at my HIV you won't see me. I'm funny, I’'m smart, I'm a mother of three, I am wise and I dress to a tee. So don't look at my HIV you won't see me. I’'m a child of God I don't have to steal, borrow, beg or rob. How funny you say you love me When you always worrying about my HIV. HIV lives with me but it’s not all of me, you see. I am blessed by the God that lives within me He helps me to do my best So you could put your mind at rest, And look at me Not my HIV. Yes I messed up my life But I ain't going down without a fight, I can now sing and dance Because I'm giving my life a second chance. I'm somebody who's willing, ready, able and understanding And I don't mind living out my HIV on this planet So if you keep looking at my HIV You going to be so sorry you missed the God in me. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©2008 Nikki Kahn
CONFRONTING AIDS in D.C.

where more than 90 percent of women with the disease are black 

According to the D.C. Department of Health, women accounted for a third of all newly reported HIV/AIDS cases between 2001 and 2006, with African­American women being disproportionately affected.  

Most of those women were of child-bearing age, putting their children at risk. The number of women in the District living with AIDS increased by more than 75 percent in that six-year period. The most common form of transmission for women was heterosexual contact.  

In the 14 years since she learned she was HIV-positive, Juanita Brown Sims has turned to her faith for support. Sims, 42, shares her poem, "Don't Look at My HIV, You Won't See Me" in the hope of giving support to others who have the virus.  

What are you looking at  

Are you looking at my HIV  

If you is you can't see me.  

I'm strong, I'm gifted, I'm lovable but most of all I'm free  

Don't look at my HIV you won't see me.  

I'm funny, I’'m smart, I'm a mother of three,  

I am wise and I dress to a tee.  

So don't look at my HIV you won't see me.  

I’'m a child of God  

I don't have to steal, borrow, beg or rob.  

How funny you say you love me  

When you always worrying about my HIV.  

HIV lives with me but it’s not all of me, you see.  

I am blessed by the God that lives within me  

He helps me to do my best  

So you could put your mind at rest,  

And look at me  

Not my HIV.  

Yes I messed up my life  

But I ain't going down without a fight,  

I can now sing and dance  

Because I'm giving my life a second chance.  

I'm somebody who's willing, ready, able and understanding  

And I don't mind living out my HIV on this planet  

So if you keep looking at my HIV  

You going to be so sorry you missed the God in me.  

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©2008 Nikki Kahn