We sent out interviews to some kids that we knew had AIDS or HIV. Two people returned their interviews to us and have allowed us to share them with you on our Web site.
Yolanda is only eleven years old and she has AIDS. She got AIDS from her mom, at birth. Her mom got it from having unprotected sex. She has to take 18 pills a day. Yolanda goes all over the U.S.A. to talk about AIDS. So far, she says, she has gone to Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Minnesota. She says it doesn't feel different living with AIDS, except for the fact that she does take 18 pills a day. Yolanda says that she doesn't feel that she should be treated differently because she has AIDS. She thinks she is normal, and AIDS can't hurt anyone, if she is careful.
She says she knows that it is not her fault that she has AIDS. She cannot change that fact, so she feels happy with herself. She also says that she likes ying-yangs because she likes the colors black and white, and a ying-yang are black and white.
Tanya is fifteen years old, and she has AIDS. Tanya got AIDS from a blood transfusion after she was born. She says that since she has had AIDS practically her whole life, it feels normal to her. Tanya goes anywhere to talk about AIDS, to anywhere that people will listen, especially schools and churches. Tanya does not think she should be treated any differently because she has AIDS, since she is not different just because she has a disease. She says, " Would you treat someone with cancer differently?"
Tanya knows that she is a great person and a great friend. She is glad that more people are willing to listen and want to be educated. She says she likes smiley faces because everyone should wear a smile, and it shows people are happy.