Friday, December 11, 2015

Building a Cape: Reflections on the Whitman-Walker Walk to End HIV

By Sara Doverspike

Superman was one of my favorite superheroes while I was growing up. The guy had it all; the traditional charm of a small town boy, the strength of whatever the storyline requires of him, and a humanitarian heart as big as his abdominal muscles. But what I admired most about Superman was how he utilized his super-human powers, especially the ability to fly. Flight in Superman’s context is associated with courage—to do what is right, to actively fight for social justice. To put on a cape and fly makes one visible as a hero, it takes away the comfortability of the status quo, and encourages one to act in a way that makes them great. That makes them super.


I made a cape for this year’s annual Whitman-Walker sponsored Heroes Walk to End HIV in DC. It was a child-sized, Amazon-purchased piece of synthetic material that had a WordArt designed “superhero” logo package-taped to the back. It wasn’t particularly comfortable to wear, or something that Marvel would invest in to be sported by the next big hero. I was afraid that it wouldn’t be significant.

The Whitman-Walker Health clinic has a rich history serving the greater Washington, DC area since 1973, and has been committed to the “highest quality, culturally competent” healthcare for all individuals in the community, with their particular expertise in LGBT and HIV care. This year marked the 29th annual Walk to End HIV, featuring a superhero themed fundraising walk and 5K to benefit Whitman-Walker and their commitment to comprehensive and accessible healthcare to those affected by HIV/AIDS. According to the CDC , more than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and about 1 in 8 people are unaware of their status. The lack of knowledge and testing can largely be attributed to the stigma and discrimination attached to individuals living with HIV, from how it is transmitted to the presumptions of the lives of the people that HIV effects.

When I arrived at the walk, I was overwhelmed by all of the capes being flown. They were all different kinds of fabric and sizes, some were plain or multicolored, some had original logos, and some came with a full super suit complete with pleather boots. And then some came in the form of words of encouragement and personal stories about HIV has affected their lives. Some capes were the dance moves of a group of strangers with the help of the pre-walk warm up DJ. Some people put on their capes when they asked someone for help, or advice about their status, or for a picture with some of their HIV positive role models. And some capes were silently present in solidarity, immersed in the atmosphere of a community dedicated to proving that no cape had to fly alone. Every person had put on a cape; every person had become significantly super.

When the walk began, hundreds of people consumed the streets of downtown DC and all the capes weaved themselves together to create a colorful and beautiful display of support for their friends, family, people they haven’t met or would never meet, the people standing next to them, and themselves. Together we flew through the streets, past the iconic Washington monument and stopped all the cars and passerby in their tracks (who I would presume were asking themselves the classic question of whether we were birds or planes). The Superman I had loved long ago seemed less tangible and more fictional than ever before, as I knew I was among the heroes who have fought their battles without super strength or the ability to flee to the sky when problems on the ground are tough. These are the people that walk among us and achieved greatness through their courage in the everyday. They’ve had capes on all along, even when I hadn’t noticed.

After the walk, I tucked my synthetic cape neatly away in the closet. I haven’t taken it out since; but every now and again, when I’m reminded, I feel its presence.


Resources
To learn more about Whitman-Walker and the Walk to End HIV:
To find the closest testing center:
To find a testing center and knowledge about testing/your status:
Know you are not alone! There are plenty of resources available to connect friends living with HIV, such as this encouragement wall:

You are strong. You are loved. You are super!



Sara Doverspike is a Stigma, Discrimination, and Gender Intern at the International Center for Research on Women, and proud to be a stigma warrior.


7 comments:

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  3. I find something in herbal medicine good to share on here with anyone suffering from the disease such as HIV, Herpes, Hepatitis or Chronic Lyme Disease,Parkinson's disease,Schizophrenia,Lung Cancer,Breast Cancer,Colo-Rectal Cancer,Blood Cancer,Prostate Cancer,siva.Fatal Familial Insomnia Factor V Leiden Mutation ,Epilepsy Dupuytren's disease,Desmoplastic small-round-cell tumor Diabetes ,Coeliac disease,Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease,Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Ataxia,Arthritis,Amyotrophic Lateral Scoliosis,Fibromyalgia,Fluoroquinolone Toxicity
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    Lupus as well.Dr Itua herbal made cure my HIV and gave me hope that he can cure all types of diseases I believed him) I do the best of myself that I can do, I went for a program in west Africa about fashion on another side I was HIV positive. I walk through a nearby village for our program schedule then I found a signage notice that says Dr Itua Herbal Center then I asked my colleagues what all about this very man called Dr Itua, She told me that he's a herbal doctor and he can cure all kind of disease i walked to him and explain myself to him as I'm a strangler out there he prepared me herbal medicine and told me how to drink it for two weeks, when I get to my hotel room I take a look at it then says a prayer before I drank it not knowing after two weeks I went to test and I found out I was negative I ran to him to pay him more but he refuses and says I should share his works for me around the globe so sick people can see as well. I'm writing a lot about him this season so that is how I was cured by drinking Dr Itua herbal medicine, He's A caring man with godly heart. Well - everything I decided all go through for me well and how you're going to treat this new aspect to your life. You don't have to suffer alone, and it's okay to ask for help. It also doesn't have to be a constant demon, as you'll get to know your body and yourself in a much deeper way than most people. Take advantage of this, as it will help you appreciate Africa Herbal Made.
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  4. Great Dr. imoloa herbal medicine is the perfect cure for the HIV virus, I was diagnosed of HIV for 8 years, and every day I always looking for research to find the perfect way to get rid of this terrible disease because I always know that what we need because our health is on earth . So, on my internet search I saw several testimonies about how Dr. imoloa can cure HIV with powerful herbal medicines. I decided to contact this man, I contacted him for herbal medicines that I received via DHL courier service. And he guided me how. I asked him for a solution to take herbal medicine for two weeks. And then he instructed me to go check what I was doing. Look at me (HIV NEGATIVE). Thank God for Dr. Imoloa for using a powerful herbal remedy to cure me. he also has a cure for diseases such as Parkison's disease, vaginal cancer, epilepsy, anxiety disorders, autoimmune diseases, back pain, sprains, bipolar disorder, brain tumors, malignant, bruxism, bulimia, cervical disc disease, cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular disease, sprains, bipolar disorder, brain tumors, malignant, bruxism, bulimia, cervical disc disease, cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular disease, sprains, bipolar disorder, brain tumors, malignant, bruxism, bulimia, cervical disc disease, cardiovascular disease , chronic respiratory diseases, mental and behavioral disorders, Cystic Fibrosis, Hypertension, Diabetes, asthma, autoimmune mediated arthritis. Chronic kidney disease, arthritis, back pain, impotence, feta alcohol spectrum, Dysthymic Disorders, Eczema, skin cancer, tuberculosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, bone cancer, lung cancer, mouth sores, oral cancer, body pain, fever, hepatitis ABC, syphilis, diarrhea, Huntington's disease, back acne, chronic kidney failure, Addison's disease, Chronic Disease, Crohn's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Fibromyalgia, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Fungal Nail Disease, Paralysis, Celia Disease , Lymphoma, Major Depression, Malignant Melanoma, Mania, Melorheostosis, Meniere's Disease, Mucopolysaccharidosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle Dystrophy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alzheimer's Disease email- drimolaherbalmademedicine@gmail.com / or {whatssapp .....+2347081986098}

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  5. I'm here to give my testimony how I was cured from HIV, I contacted my HIV via blade. A friend of my use blade to peel of her finger nails and drop it where she use it, so after she has left i did know what came unto me i looked at my nails, my nails were very long and I took the blade which she just used on her own nails to cut of my finger nails, as i was maintaining my names, i mistakenly injured myself. I did even bother about it, so when I got to the hospital the next week when i was ill the doctor told me that I am HIV positive, i wondered where did i got it from so i remembered how I use my friend blade to cut off my hand so i feel so sad in my heart to the extent that i don’t even know what to do, so one day i was passing through the internet i met a testimony of a lady that all talk about how she was cured by a doctor called DR Imoloa so i quickly emailed the doctor and he also replied to me and told me the requirements which i will provide and I do according to his command, he prepare a herbal medicine for me which I took. He message me the following week that i should go for a test which i did to my own surprise i found that i was HIV negative. He also have cured for all kinds of incurable diseases like: Huntington's disease, back acne, chronic kidney failure, Addison's disease, Chronic Disease, Crohn's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Fibromyalgia, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Fungal Nail Disease, Paralysis, Celia Disease , Lymphoma, Major Depression, Malignant Melanoma, Mania, Melorheostosis, Meniere's Disease, Mucopolysaccharidosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle Dystrophy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alzheimer Disease and so many. Thanks to him once more the great doctor that cured me dr. Imoloa so you can also email him via drimolaherbalmademedicine@gmail.com or what'sapp him on +2347081986098.. God Bless you Sir.

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  6. I was diagnosed with HIV virus 4years ago,and I almost gave up on ever been cured because I have tried different medications of drugs and injections from different hospital to another, they always tell me the same thing, there is no cure for HIV/Aids all my effects to get cured was in vain. But i never give up and I started making my research on herbal remedy on HIV/Aids because I believed nature has the power to cure all diseases.on my research I came across a testimony on the internet from a lady called Michelle from USA, who testified on how she was cured of HIV virus from DR JAMES HERBAL MIXED MEDICINE. I doubted at first time because i have been to different hospitals and lot of reputable doctors told me there is no cure for HIV virus but I picked up interest and gave it a try to contacted Dr James on his email drjamesherbalmix@gmail.com I told him my problems and he asked how long I have been HIV positive and how old I am, and I told him, he said I should not be worried that he will prepare me with his powerful herbal mixed medicine that will cure me from HIV, so I decided to listen to him and he commenced his treatment. 2 days later he told me that his powerful herbal cure for HIV Virus has been sent to me through DHL which got to me in 4days time. I used the medicine morning and evening as he prescribed for me for 21 days. I was totally cured and free from HIV/AIDS exactly as Dr James told me. I'm now free from HIV virus thank you so much Dr JAMES HERBAL MIX Medicine.DR James herbal medicine is made of natural herbs, with no side effects, and easy to drink. If you have the same HIV VIRUS or any type of human illness,, Herpes,cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Pancreatic cancers, bladder cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, Glaucoma., Cataracts, Muscular degeneration, Cardiovascular disease, Autism, Lung disease. Enlarged prostate, Osteoporosis. Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis, Lupus,Dementia.kidney cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, skin cancer and skin cancer.testicular Cancer,Hepatitis B,infertility
    Dr.James will help you,so contact him directly on his Email..drjamesherbalmix@gmail.com.

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