View Single Post
  #8  
Old 07-25-2007, 06:03 PM
UGAalum94 UGAalum94 is offline
GreekChat Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Atlanta area
Posts: 5,382
In hindsight, was it wise for the mother to have done that?

Would you do it if it had been you?

My point is not that it justifies the reaction that she got, just that she probably isn't going to get the reaction she expects or is entitled to in other situations either.

And I'm glad that she has legal protection in the ADA, but it only works if she's or someone else is willing to sue to enforce it. So it might be easier to quit having casual conversations with desk clerks and waitresses about the kid's HIV. As a culture, I don't think we're generally there, and as this case demonstrates, RV parks are Alabama are definitely not.

(People do become concerned and need reassurance about the risk to themselves and others when they find themselves meeting or working around the first person they know has HIV. You or I might google it up if we had questions; other people might want to hear it from the health department. It might be unreasonable (and illegal) for them to expect the mom to provide it for them, but their wanting reassurance is not in fact exceptional when for the first time they are aware of, it's not a completely "what if" situation.

Whether she wants to or not, she's going to spend a lot of time educating people from here on out if she chooses to reveal the kid's status. It's either going to be about how there's no risk to others or about her legal rights. But I'd be really surprised if this is the last time it ever comes up.

Personally, I'd start carrying formation about risk and universal precautions and about my kids legal rights. Should she have to? no. Will her life be easier if she does? probably.
Reply With Quote