Who's Positive

RIP Kahlo Benavidez
1986 - 2009

Kahlo was the very first person Who's Positive invited on our National HIV Testing Tour - Operation Get Tested, we lost him last year, a year from today. Kahlo you are missed by everyone at Who's Positive.

Wow in less than a week (April 28th) I will turn 31 years old. It’s hard to think that I am this old, but I begin to think about when I began to realize I was an adult. Was it when I became a leader and not a follower the first time I had a babysitting job? Was it when I pumped my first tank of gas as a gas station attendant, maybe it was when I held my niece for the first time, Gosh the more I think about this the more I realize I've been growing up for quite some time.

Being HIV+ has made me think about the world a little bit differently. It’s made me better appreciate the small things in life, it’s given me an opportunity to look back on life and see what I've done in my life and what I still have left to do. Year 29 seems to be the year I grew up the most, it’s the year I became the most settled, year 30 was well - the year I turned 30 lol - nothing too outrageous, but I'm hopeful as I am each and every year, that maybe in year 31 I'll find someone to love - it’s this year’s birthday wish. Happy Birthday to me, and Happy "Birth" day Mom.

I had the pleasure of knowing Kahlo of a short period of time. We were on the Who's Positive tour together and he was always so calm and very level-headed. I remember he and I had an interview to do and, I was so nervous. I kept telling Kahlo I hope I speak clearly and I do not if I will answer the questions right. He said " Teniecka it will be fine just relax and take your time". I said really and he reassured me it would be okay. The entire tour he was so sweet and very funny. We all watched OVER THE HEDGE and he knew the group who sang the songs. I was impressed because I love musical cartoons and regular musicals. I had no clue who sang any of those songs I know he liked the song that said in it "Rockin the Suburbs". Whenever I watch that cartoon and that song plays it reminds me of him. I am very blessed God gave me a chance to meet him and we were all a part of each others lives even if it was for a short period. His memory will always be in my heart and my mind. ***Kahlo you will be sorely missed***.

Seriously!

As of April 15, 2010 - 938 People in 10 states are on a waiting list to get vital lifesaving HIV/AIDS medications accordling to the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors.

Here is the breakdown of States who can't seem to find the funding to help:

Idaho: 26 individuals
Iowa: 69 individuals
Kentucky: 191 individuals
Montana: 17 individuals
North Carolina: 400 individuals
South Carolina: 48 individuals
South Dakota: 32 individuals
Tennessee: 61 individuals
Utah: 80 individuals
Wyoming: 14 individuals

Is this not redicilous!? As my friend Dab Garner - of Dab The AIDS Bear Project said, " We can bailout Wall Street, automakers, people who bought homes they couldn't afford BUT, people living with HIV are told they have to WAIT!"