Tuesday, October 9, 2007

28 Stories of AIDS in Africa

I just finished reading the book "28 Stories of AIDS in Africa" by Stephanie Nolan and I was thoroughly impressed. What a writer! I wish I had half as much talent as her in writing - then I might actually be good at this blogging thing. The 28 stories are meant to represent the 28 million people with the disease in Africa. AIDS is a disease that has affected so many people around the world and yet continues to be an afterthought in discussions. Stephanie so magically makes such an inhuman disease human by interviewing and writing about 28 real life people whose lives have been forever changed. The last story in the book is about Stephanie's friend TK whom through chance contracted the disease by a freak accident. Like so many other people in the book, and who didn't make it into the book, TK held, and still does hold, a great deal of potential. While the disease is not the death sentence it once was, necessary ARV's are not readily available to all those that need them. TK is one of the lucky ones who has access to the life saving drugs. Around the world, however, millions lack access, or cannot afford these drugs and will needlessly die. If you have the chance to read this book you will not be disappointed. There are many ways you can help out in the battle against AIDS and I strongly urge that you find out more about the disease, talk about it with whoever will listen, and lend a hand in any way you can. Lets not wait for the 29th story.