‘I didn’t always think I’d live this long’: Stone has pushed for HIV/AIDS awareness since 1989 diagnosis
By Angela Oliver, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"Hey, as a younger guy, I had fun," he said. "I drank a lot, I partied. I'm sure it came from an irresponsible sexual encounter."
But he wasn't mad at himself, he said.
"I was mad at the way some of the doctors reacted," said the 60-year-old Owensboroan who had read about the virus before his diagnosis. "They were trying to make people put on masks and suits to visit my room. I just thought, 'You idiots.' I guess they didn't know better."
Stone said the widespread fear and lack of knowledge about the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, among the public and health officials at that time didn't give him much hope.
"I'm thankful there has been progress in medicine and treatment," he said noting that all a local doctor could offer him then was a cassette tape about HIV/AIDS and a referral to
More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. ages 13 and older are living with HIV, and about 16 percent of them are unaware of their infection.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. began in
Other unusual infections in the men indicated weak immune systems, and two had already died by the time the report was published. Within days, after coverage by several newspapers, reports of similar cases poured in to the CDC from doctors around the country, the website states.
By the end of 1981, 121 men in 270 reported cases of severe immune system deficiency had died.
"(HIV/AIDS) isn't the death sentence it used to be," said
As of
Paynter said he hopes to see community support for the sixth annual Owensboro AIDS Walk. It will start at noon on
"Robbie is always the top fundraiser," Paynter said. "He's really the one who made it possible."
Stone and his partner,
"My main concern is that health education should start in schools," Stone said. "It's required by law, but they're not teaching it, and there's no consequence. We were always more welcome to speak in
HIV/AIDS education is required in the Kentucky Core Academic Standards for middle and high school curriculum, in the area of personal wellness, along with other sexually transmitted, communicable, noncommunicable and chronic diseases. Site-Based Decision Making Councils decide which classes are responsible for teaching which elements of the Program of Studies for Health Education, according to an email from
"They not only discuss various sex education topics but bring awareness to STDs, HIV/AIDS and challenge students to be proactive by making good choices and setting goals," she said in an email.
OHS health classes also approach STDs by looking at myths versus facts, responsible behavior and healthy hygiene practices. HIV/AIDS is also addressed in the sexual integrity unit of the health class.
New HIV infections have remained at an estimated 50,000 in recent years, and about one in four new infections is among youths, ages 13 to 24. Young gay and bisexual males, particularly black males, are especially affected. About 60 percent of that age group are unaware of their infection.
A CDC study revealed that only 22 percent of sexually active high school students have ever been tested for HIV. Prevention challenges include a lower perception of risk among the majority of 15- to 24-year-olds, low rates of condom use, intercourse with older partners, substance abuse, homelessness, inadequate prevention education and feelings of isolation among gay and bisexual students, the CDC states.
"Parents have to talk to their kids," Stone said. "People need to talk to their partners, their families, friends, churches. And they have to get tested. The power is in knowing your status. The sooner you catch it, the easier it is to manage."
Testing, Stone said, should be required just as immunization, physicals and other routine medical practices are in many instances.
The CDC recommends that everyone get tested at least once in their lifetime, said
The clinic also participates in the AIDS Walk.
HIV/AIDS is contracted through pre-ejaculation fluid, semen, rectal and vaginal secretions during anal, oral or vaginal intercourse; breast milk; and blood, as is often the case with infected intravenous drug uses who share needles. According to aids.gov, other bodily fluids like saliva, sweat, tears, nasal fluids and urine do not contain high enough levels of the virus to infect people, unless blood is mixed with them and there is significant, direct contact, which is very rare. Because of medical screening requirements, contracting the virus through blood transfusions or organ transplants is also very rare in the U.S., the website states.
HIV/AIDS cannot be contacted through such actions as shaking hands, sharing eating utensils or using public restrooms.
Stone said he's been open about being HIV-positive. Sometimes, more so in the beginning years, people move to another seat if they're next to him, or point and whisper from afar.
"It doesn't bother me anymore," he said.
Stone didn't seek treatment until about five years after his diagnosis when symptoms worsened.
"My partner was right there when I was diagnosed, but I didn't tell my family for a few years," he said. "I realized I would need them to get through it. And they accept me and love me the same."
He said an optimistic attitude and adherence to his medicine, which lessens the risk of transmission to others, has kept him alive. He took three pills for 15 years, but is down to one, Atripla, because his viral load, or level of HIV in the blood, is low and his CD4 cell count, or number of white blood cells that fight infection, is high.
He's also down from one trip every other month to one trip every six months to his doctor in
Stone hasn't dated since his partner died. Honesty and using condoms prevented Sauer from becoming infected, he said.
"He was always my driving force," Stone said. "If you can't talk to your partner, you shouldn't be having sex."
At one point, traveling to lobby and speak about HIV/AIDS overwhelmed him because fatigue was a side effect of his medicine, so he cut back. But he plans to get back into state-sponsored awareness and prevention programs. For now, he's staying involved in his churches,
"I shouldn't say this, but I didn't always think I'd live this long with my diagnosis," he said. "But I have. I guess I'm supposed to be here; there's something else I'm supposed to do."
For more information or to sign up for the Owensboro AIDS Walk on your own or as a team, see owensboroaidswalk2014.com. Donations will also be accepted onsite. People can also participate as T-shirt sponsors for
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