RISE4WAR -- Focusing on Wellness, Awareness and Recovery

Our Secrets Keep Us Sick

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:05:00 GMT

Growing older does not always translate into developing emotional maturity. I know that I learned how to interact with people in a way that avoided conflict. I did not want to hurt anyone else's feelings because I knew how it felt, and I also feared retaliation and then escalation. So I learned how to tell people only what I wanted them to know, and more often than not, I told them what I thought they wanted to hear. I'm a Libra, so I thought I was just being diplomatic, but it turns out I was actually living more like a spy! As a spy, I operated under the assumption that most people don't want (or need) the truth. In fact, most people can't handle the truth!

HIV Is Not a Gift. HIV Is an Opportunity.

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 10:09:00 GMT

In my travels, I have heard that some people, as a result of their economic situation, have actually wanted to and tried hard to contract HIV so that they would be eligible for the social services that would not ordinarily be afforded them if they were not HIV positive. In that regard they refer to HIV as "the gift."

The Black Church, HIV and Love

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Mon, 1 Oct 2012 13:25:00 GMT

The church is a great place to spread love. So why has fear and ignorance kept many, but not all churches from using their influence to speak to the hearts and minds of their parishioners about the spiritual, mental, and emotional effects of the AIDS plague?

That's the Way of the World

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:10:00 GMT

So, my daughter just had twins!! What a blessing it is to be alive to see the miracles of life that are happening with my children. My oldest son just had my first grandson last year. If you had bet the odds 25 years ago when I was diagnosed with AIDS, that I would be here to see these amazing events, you would probably be to the good! It's great to see my personal lineage continuing to propagate.

It's Time to RISE4WAR!

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:50:00 GMT

Having lived with AIDS for over 25 years, I have had many different experiences that I believe we all should benefit from. My wife has been with me the whole time, and she remains HIV negative. We have raised four children and now have four grandchildren, with twins on the way! We educate about the HIV science and the emotional part of this disease, which often goes overlooked.

Twelve Steps to Positive Attitudes

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Mon, 3 Sep 2012 10:05:00 GMT

I have personally benefited from using the principles of this 12-step program for those of us who acknowledge that we are affected by HIV. I say "those of us who have acknowledged" because most, if not all of us, have been affected by HIV. Not everyone has come to terms with it, or has identified just how they are affected. Let's explore some of the scenarios with which YOU may be included in this demographic first, and then discuss whether this program may be right for you.

It Takes a Fool to Learn That Love Don't Love Nobody

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:26:00 GMT

As a heterosexual black man, I think it is time we had a talk about why more Black men are not talking publicly about living with HIV, protecting our women and families from HIV, and how to overcome the stigma of HIV. It is time to Rise for WAR!! I'll go first.

Hope Is Cure for HIV

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:16:00 GMT

A cure for HIV now seems more feasible because the world can visualize it. Although it is probably more appropriate to call what has happened in the person of Timothy Brown a "sustained virological response", like we do with Hep C, the fact that a human being seems to have been cleared of the HIV retrovirus is indeed promising. That is especially true for those who have had a hard time believing that it would ever be possible. Many of us, including myself, have had to make ourselves believe that a cure is possible and that healing is available to those who seek it.

HIV at 50 + "Turning the Tide Together"

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:26:00 GMT

The theme "Turning The Tide Together" speaks to the idea that at this point in the evolution of our conscious existence with HIV, we have progressed to the point on multiple levels of energy where we can overcome AIDS if we act in concert for the greater good. Considering where we started in this battle with HIV 30 years ago, when death seemed like a certainty, and fear won the day, we have come a very long way!! The mere fact that people are daring to not only dream, but speak of a day when at least the clinical diagnosis of AIDS (where immune system is depressed and HIV is present) can be eradicated, and at best -- a "CURE" or vaccine is possible, is exciting!!

Living Just a Little, Laughing Just a Little (Ain't Easy)

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:29:00 GMT

I am tired of taking meds!! I know that is not the politically correct position to take, but if you have been taking meds for a long period of time, as I have, you might just get tired of taking medications every day too!! Adherence means having to be disciplined enough to take medications EVERY day, in some cases two or three times a day. That is not an easy thing to do, even if it is the difference between good and bad health, or as we have been told and have sometimes experienced, the difference between life and death.

Just Don't Want to Be Lonely

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:37:00 GMT

I was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988 when there was little or no hope for a long life, so maybe you can understand why it took me so long to decide to disclose that I was carrying the HIV virus. If you can possibly comprehend or remember how crazy the fear and stigma were in 1985, then you know it was appropriate for me not to tell anyone. Had I done so, it would probably have meant that I and my family would have been treated like lepers by many.

Love Times Love

participate@RISE4war.com (Reggie Smith) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:04:00 GMT

Giving honor to God in gratitude for this now moment, and acknowledging the presence of those spirits who have crossed over to the other side of life in order to guide and protect us, I introduce myself to you. My name is Reggie Smith. I am an author, Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, radio/tv personality, recovering addict, and a passionate, informed advocate for living well with HIV and hepatitis C (hep C). My wife, Dionne, and I know that we are greater than AIDS because we have been living well with HIV and hep C since 1985. I was diagnosed with HIV and hep C in 1988 when we got pregnant with our youngest son. Through God's grace and mercy Dionne remains HIV negative to this day, and we are still married. She is my hero.