1-8-13: Living with Pediatric HIV

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HIV-0108.mp3

There are an estimated 37,000 Marylanders living with HIV.  A small portion of those—just over 1 percent—contracted the disease during birth, so they have what’s known as pediatric HIV.  The number of people born in Maryland with the disease has shrunk drastically, with no new cases of pediatric HIV births reported in 2010.  And, those born with the virus can now expect to live full lives with proper treatment.

This past summer, two of our producers, Stephanie Hughes and Matt Purdy, worked with David Sloan of Wide Angle Youth Media to teach a workshop on radio to a group of teenagers living with pediatric HIV. The teenagers were all patients at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in the department of pediatrics. The students interviewed each other about their experiences living with the virus. One student, 14 years old and from Baltimore, was open to having his thoughts broadcast. “It really didn’t change me," he told us.  "I’m still the same person. It’s not a big deal. We all have something. I’ll bet you there wouldn’t be one person that didn’t have anything. And still be the same."

During the program, the teenagers interviewed two of their long-time caregivers, pediatric nurse practitioner Sue Lovelace, and social worker Tom Dossey, about the work they do.  "Dying from this disease today--I can't imagine it," says Dossey.  "All the medicines we have out there, there is great advancement and there's reason for hope. You can do whatever you want to do.  HIV isn't all of your life; it's just part of your life.  I say that all the time.  It's just one piece of that pie."