KenP, Keifer (11/30/2009 11:18:08 PM)

I thought I'd read the story and see that 100,000+ in Oklahoma have HIV AIDS. It's a wonder with the imbalance in married, teens and sicko's out there. Please don't get me wrong, I feel the MOST important issue is to help the ones that have it and to help make sure it doesn't spread.

sirwinston, (12/1/2009 2:42:49 AM)

This is so scary. I have several friends, under 25 that are HIV+. It's not just a homosexual problem... it's a problem in general. There are people who have sex with both male and female and it gets spread fast.

I'm glad this place is here to help people affected.

Elusive, Owasso (12/1/2009 2:52:44 AM)

I'm glad you are getting the support you need. Unfortunately it is just not HIV/Aids but other STD's that last a lifetime that many do not think about. I think there needs to be continuing education for young people and reminders for those older that think it's no longer that big a threat, that they won't get it.

Daven, Tulsa (12/1/2009 9:14:57 AM)

About 1,700 people are living with HIV or AIDS in the greater Tulsa area.

About 100 people in the Tulsa area are infected with HIV each year.

Those are just the reported cases.....

douglassm, tulsa (12/1/2009 9:26:45 AM)

Dusty, everything you say is true, in my opinion. Sadly, though, so many people are taught that their life is worthless (just read most of the comments on any story about different ethnicities, nationalities, sexual preferences, etc) just because they were born a certain way. I have no idea what this poor guy's childhood/young adulthood was like, but I've known people in throughout my life who "took risks" and lived dangerously simply because they didn't value their own life. Now they are stuck with a new perspective, but suffer from past mistakes. Hopefully this sad hindsight will be used to continue to educate in the present and future.

Disco Deere, Oklahoma City. (12/1/2009 9:58:06 AM)

Yo !
"Unfortunately, Timms dated a man years ago who had the disease and knew it, but didn't tell him. The man's sister told him instead." You cannot get HIV/AIDS from 'Dating' ; you get it from having sex with some one who is infected.

my view, Sand Springs (12/1/2009 10:10:09 AM)

dustyoutlaw,

Your right his children are in a tough spot.

tbgalileo, Tulsa (12/1/2009 10:34:11 AM)

A good friend of mine is HIV positive because his ex-wife was cheating on him and infected him. He is heterosexual, was monogomous, didn't use druge, didn't have a transfusion, etc etc, but is still infected with this disease. He did absolutely nothing to bring this on himself, but he is still called irresponsible, gay, a druggie, etc from people who automatically assume that he is a bad person because he is positive.

When a person gets cancer, we don't immediately bash them for making poor choices such as smoking, etc. When a person has a heart attack we don't immediately bash them for eating too much fat throughout their life. So why do we immediately jump right into the seat of judgement when someone is HIV positive? Oh well, whatever we need to reinforce our prejudices and try to make them seem legitimate!

Gloria Miller, (12/1/2009 10:59:02 AM)

Has it occurred to anyone the amount of courage it took for Mr. Timms to share his very personal story in the newspaper? How can other humans use this story to pass judgement on him, when his goal is to educate you and your children as to the realities of HIV/AIDS? He isn't asking for sympathy, he is trying to use his story to let others know that HIV/AIDS is still relevant, and that there are organizations that can assist you if you find yourself with a positive status.

As a person who educates teenagers about the risks of unprotected sex, I know the lack of information in this community. No education is given in the schools, and many parents do not have enough information to teach their children. I applaud Mr. Timms' efforts, for his honesty may save a life. Please see this story through an educational lens, and forgo your judgments.

forkandknife, Tulsa (12/1/2009 10:59:54 AM)

I am not even about to start a war about this one. I know everyone will just judge and jump down my throat. But, I still love all of you! ( :

DomoArrigato, Outside of Tulsa (12/1/2009 11:11:17 AM)

What war would that be? The one against narrowmindedness, bigotry, and lack of compassion?

drugeducator, tulsa (12/1/2009 12:52:19 PM)

so many sentiments expressed here. sad to hear some of what people think are facts. where did you get the statistic that the highest rate of new infections is men who cheat ~ the highest rate of infections currently is among youth which includes 25yr olds and under.

and still we have an abstinence only education approach.

we have no funding to reach injection drug users for prevention of HCV, HIV and other blood borne diseases.

judge all you wish but every human being has intrinsic value.

you cared enough to comment here. join us at All Souls tonight at 6p.m. 29th and Peoria.

MB@FPC, Tulsa (12/1/2009 1:54:10 PM)

January 23-31, 2010, World Vision Experience: AIDS will be coming to Tulsa, to the Powerhouse at 223 E. 8th Street (8th & Detroit). This is an opportunity to step into Africa by walking through an exhibit fashioned after an African village. Visitors wear headphones and take on the identity of a child affected by AIDS as they journey through the exhibit.

forkandknife, Tulsa (12/1/2009 1:55:26 PM)

[DomoArrigato]

No. The war that some would start, because they just KNOW that AIDS/HIV is a problem in JUST the african american community. Also the homosexual community. I didn't want to hear all that hog wash. Cause it is annoying. You know what I mean.

I loved your comment by the way. ( :

DomoArrigato, Outside of Tulsa (12/1/2009 2:13:05 PM)

With Aids, people seem to place importance on HOW the person got the disease. Why don't we apply the same to other diseases...I guess he has Heart Disease from the Angus beef Ribeyes he eats everyday. I guess he has Cancer because he drank the wrong water, lived in the wrong place, or smoked. I guess he has Alzheimer's cause he did exercise his brain enough.

Isn't it enough to know that someone has a deadly disease without having to identify what caused them to have it.

Gloria Miller, (12/1/2009 2:14:09 PM)

Dusty - I understand that your experiences lead you to think that kids understand the risks, and my experiences lead me to the opposite conclusion. I also understand the person in this story was not a "kid." We could both go on diatribes regarding those topics. I won't do that.

My first post was meant to encourage the readers to focus on the point of the story, which is about an organization that is successful in assisting those who are HIV positive, and to bring attention to the fact that HIV/AIDS is still relevant.

I sincerely hope that each of you is fortunate enough to escape a life touched by any situation which could have been avoided. Compassion can be hard to find when it has been withheld.

forkandknife, Tulsa (12/1/2009 2:34:12 PM)

[DomoArrigato]

Amazing response. Very well said.

"No war on the face of the Earth is more destructive than the AIDS pandemic."
-- Colin Powell

I wish people would just sit back, and take a real good look around sometimes. And maybe open their minds just a little bit. Let some love in, because the hatred is slowly consuming our world.

DomoArrigato, Outside of Tulsa (12/1/2009 2:55:37 PM)

Herb: we all know what causes most diseases, and how to prevent them. But still people overeat, under-exercise, practice unsafe sex, and smoke. What new information is gained relative to AIDS, and great many other diseases, by trying to determine how someone got the disease. The only person with a true needs would be a Research Scientist needing this information to determine new preventatives.

dork74, Broken Arrow (12/1/2009 3:53:34 PM)

Amen dusty.

Also, what's wrong with telling people with cancer or COPD that it is their fault for smoking or living an unhealthy lifestyle? If people would take responsibility for their own actions and if medical professionals would stop walking on eggshells maybe we wouldn't see such high rates of these terrible diseases. Our children need to know that there are consequences for their life choices and sometimes that consequence is death (or a life sentence).

dork74, Broken Arrow (12/1/2009 3:57:19 PM)

Gloria,

I was taught about the risks of unprotected sex and AIDS/STD's in 1988 in 9th grade health. I would hate to think that the education system has taken that many steps backwards since then, although I went to school in Missouri and not here in the buckle of the Bible Belt so maybe that had something to do with it.

Gloria Miller, (12/1/2009 4:20:03 PM)

Dusty - I actually was not employing sarcasm, as that would further the divide on this topic. Absolutely people are responsible for their actions. The article was not denying any sense of responsibility, only those responding did that.

It sounds as if both of us agree that prevention is key, which is why I volunteer my time teaching it. I have found it to be a fairly effective way to stay involved with a community which needs a little compassion.

SJM Vintage 1971, (12/1/2009 4:23:45 PM)

@sr71v3:
People (and YOU) ARE passing judgement on him, even though he stated the C&E, himself. Your last statement emphasizing that Timms dated a man and your earlier statement about AIDS being strictly a homosexual disease back that up. Just because you think you have the moral authority to do so, doesn't mean that it's not judgement...

@dustyoutlaw:
What is your deal? It sounds like you are educated and "progressive" enough to see this story clearly, but you just come off sounding bitter that you missed out on some unprotected sex! YES, we all make mistakes and NO, Timms isn't asking for your sympathy. Everything he is saying is factual, where you are saying "he SHOULD have done this" and "WE ALL KNOW blah, blah, blah... Get over it, dude. We're talking about a group of people that still get drug behind trucks and beat up in Mid-Town Tulsa. Don't act like we are all worker bees with our explicit instructions and to deviate is to accept the consequences. You know better than that. Besides, he IS accepting the consequences and helping others to do so.

katgrl879, (12/1/2009 4:28:25 PM)

Dusty, I think its an absolute shame that you are so blinded by your judgement that you fail to see the true story..

Do you go and get tested every 6 months just in case that so beloved wife of your cheated on you? Because no matter how much you TRUST someone you love, this could happen to ANYONE.. STRAIGHT OR GAY! And for you to cast your biased judgement on Mr. Timms poses the BIGGEST problem in society.. IGNORANCE!!!

Do you honestly think that it's just "bad judgement" that infects people? No, Mr. Timms, I'm sure had faith, just like you do in your wife, that he felt his partner was being up front and honest and wouldn't do that to him...I'm sorry you have this "You did everything so perfect", but if you're not getting testing periodically then I guess you're not keeping up your end of the "good judement" you so profess....So, your solution is that "get tested before you have sex" then I guess you need to look at the statistics about married heterosexual couples cheating and giving HIV to their partners. Because sadly sir, you might want to read on this and actually get EDUCATED on this disease.

Gloria Miller, (12/1/2009 4:29:33 PM)

Dork74 - Yes, the education system has taken that many steps backward. If you call your local school systems, you will be informed that the position of Oklahoma is that IF anything is taught, it is abstinence-only education, which by definition means that protection is not taught, only avoidance. Research shows that students who complete these programs have their sexual debut at the same mean age as those who have not completed the programs, however they are less likely to use contraception because they have not been taught the benefits. Hope this helps.

Thunder196, Tulsa (12/1/2009 5:03:40 PM)

There are always those who use the voice of narrow minded judgemental holier then thou attitude. You see them everyday on here, judging without knowing all the facts.
.
They would rather be judgemental then actually finding out how to help solve the HIV problem.