Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / April 8, 2004, edition 1 / Page 6
Part of The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
6A NEWSASDSie Ciwtlotte $«« Thursday, April 8, 2004 louing Honda ex-cons poses increased HIV risk ADVERTISE TODAY! 704.376.0496 Continued from page 2A percent of HW cases. An estimated one in 46 blacks are HIV-infected compared to one inl76 Hispanics and' one in 346 whites. There are usually about 10-35 people waiting outside during visiting hours. At the Broward Sheriff’s Office North Broward Detention Center Cruz approaches the ladies by introducing herself and asking them if she can speak with them about HIV/AIDS. “It is very challenging. Some people are not open to the information. But I say enough with the silence and the stigma. They think it can’t happen to me. It only happens to sex workers, drug addicts and homosexu als. I am none of those. It’s about testing and re-test ing,” she said. The stigma of being HIV positive has affected Cruz’s personal life. She informs people she is positive upon meeting them. “Sometimes its hard. People move away from you. One guy said I’ve been breathing the same air with you and I’m going to visit my nephew. I just like to get it out in the open. I don’t want to get attached to someone and then tell him or her. I’m obligated by law to inform potential sex part ners,” she said. According to Cruz, each facility has its own rules and she’s not allowed to hand out condoms at some of them. “They are very supportive at North Broward. At other facilities I hand out key chains. It helps our approach. When I begin to tell my story, I can see they think this could be me. They see it can happen to anyone. We want to empower women to control their relationships. They can say I want you to wear a condom. “Just like you can get preg nant the first time you have sex with someone, you can contract HIV. It only takes a second to make the wrong decision.” Cruz credits her health and attitude to God, family and friends. ‘When they told me I had one year to live, that was 13- years ago,” she said. “Of course they’ve learned a lot more about the disease than they knew then but it was just as devastating. My mind threw me into bed. My moth er had to feed and change me. “We were churchgoers and ftiends kept asking me to attend a church retreat. I didn’t want to go. I thought, ‘What can God do for me?” This is incurable. It’s never going away. They insisted I go. “I stood up in the congrega tion and they prayed for me. God said he had a solution and all I had to do was claim it. My body was re-ener- gized. I had hope and felt the power of God inside me. I stopped taking life for grant ed and work to enjoy every minute,” she said. Her friend Sandra Page has known her for 14 years and has been instrumental in helping Cruz stay posi tive. Depression and anger impact the immune system and can bring on depression. “The first thing that can kill you is the depression not the disease,” said Page.” People reject you. They are stHl naive to this.” Your source for news that always hits home Cfiarlotte “Count on us for Quality At A Low Price” KEZIAH FUNITURE ALL SOFAS, BEDROOMS, DINETTES on SALE! NOW £h OOO ' Vaugh Bassett • 6pc. Sleigh Bedroom Suit MADE IN' U.S.A. ^Reg. $1349” OO Open Mon. - Sat. 9aiti - 6pm Financing Available 2914 Gibbon Rd. Charlolle, N.C. 704-596-7427 We Give Our Customers The Best Price! Small business owners are part of our electric co-op. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives Touchstone Energy* NEWBAUNCE 'MWTiyWB'synthetic mesh running shoes with rubber outsole and shock-absorbent insole. White/bLue. Men’s Shoes. d eeee 7- 12,13.14.15.16.17.18 8- 12.13 [you love a great fit we love shoes] Join us now through April 18 for 'We Love Shoes’, a celebration of our passion for great footwear. More shoes to love, nordstrom.com SouthPark, 4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte 704-442.6000. Shipping charges may apply.
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 8, 2004, edition 1
6
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75