Elizabeth Shay 6B3 The Challenges of HIV Positive Children- Rationale-Reflective Piece The Pain of Discrimination is a reflective story,

y, which highlights how discrimination negatively affects children with HIV/AIDS. This is accomplished through Larissa, the main character, who contracted AIDS from her mother, and is experiencing deep emotional pain because of the discrimination and ostracism that she experiences. The inspiration for this piece came from all the children in the world who cannot attend school, or lead normal lives because of the fear that they will spread disease. Ryan White was one of these children who experienced discrimination. He contracted AIDS as a teenager from blood transfusions that were contaminated with the virus. Ryan was expelled from school and received many threats from the people of his town because of his disease. Though Ryan was sad that the people of his town treated him so poorly, he did not become bitter, in fact he became actively involved in telling people that discrimination only caused pain and did not help the situation. Ryan was privileged enough to move to another town where he was allowed to attend school and lead a normal life. Though Ryan died many years ago, his fight to end discrimination should be continued. The purpose of this piece, therefore, is to help in the fight against discrimination, and to help people to understand that isolating and discriminating people will not solve the problem of AIDS. Rather it will add to the pain and suffering that children infected with the disease bear. This story will allow the reader to see how these children feel, and how they struggle to cope with the way that society treats them. It is hoped that the reader will not only change any negative attitudes that they might have against these individuals, but also join in the fight against discrimination. This piece should be presented to people who might have a tendency to shun children who have HIV/AIDS. This story would be helpful if presented at a seminar on HIV/AIDS or youth forums. This will educate people on the subject so that they will not repeat the cycle of discrimination. Educating the younger generation will help to create a tomorrow where children with AIDS will know discrimination to be a thing of the past.