This theme is The Untouchables.
My first entry into Blogging for Charity and I bet you will guess my chosen Charity very quickly.
I am an Untouchable. My name is Eve.
I was born in Australia on July 17th 1982. Like many premmie babies life was a struggle from the very first breath and my tenth blood transfusion into my tiny body kept me here and functioning as best I could.
I needed more blood and number eleven transfusion sealed my tiny little fate in life. You see, this blood was HIV contaminated and from here on in, my little struggle was to take on another direction as I now became an untouchable.
I had a loving family to protect me and I was a small but happy little girl. My reputation followed me as the first Australian girl to contract the HIV virus. Unfortunately for me this was to be a very hard and tumultuous time for me and my loving family.
I was enrolled into Pre School and even though it was safe for me to mingle, other parents did not see me this way. I became the unfortunate victim of prejudice and bigotry unknown in this country in the school system before the AIDS crisis. Parents threatened to withdraw their children from my pre school as the fear of them also becoming infected reached fever pitch. I was still an innocent little child and never understood the implications, all I ever wanted, was to belong.
My life was one of struggle, where ever I went in Australia.
I was permitted to attend my little pre school but of course it meant wearing a plastic face mask at all times. Oh! How I hated this, it made me feel even more untouchable and frightened. If God was listening maybe he heard my cries and those of my mother, family and friends, because even though Australia had become a very fearful place for me, another country was about to accept me for the precious child that I was.
New Zealand soon became our new home. In 1986 when HIV was a new epidemic sweeping the globe I was embraced by the people of New Zealand and my life was about to change. Even up to this day people from this country will remember with pride how they took me into their hearts. I can not blame the Australians, they were fearful and ignorant in their reactions to me. There is a proverb which relates very well to my plight, and it is thus, “There But for the Grace of God go Iâ€.
Life was much more normal for me now and as the word got around I was awarded a Variety Gold Heart Award, something that made my heart swell with pride.
In all my short life, this was a triumph in many ways. People had now come to hear of my story. My mother was moved and proud when a letter came from Princess Diana explaining how she had heard about my struggle and praised me for my courage and strength.
My life ended at age eleven even though my story continues on until this very day.
December the first 2006 was National AIDS Awareness Day. I was a first of soo so many and its saddens me now that today many other children through out this world are still innocent victims of this virus. Children With Out Hope.
I was embraced by a wonderful country and managed a full but short life. These other children are not so lucky.
Victims not only of this virus but also victims of the times.
Embrace all children because they are created equal unto God. Circumstances make things different and if you can help or find a way to care then do it. You see I was not wanted once also, but then I found people who cared.
This is a tribute to all the Children who suffer.
The story of a brave little girl and her family..
Eve van Grafhorst 17 July 1982-€“20 November 1993)
No comments:
Post a Comment