POZ I AM Radio

Jason King, a transplant from Los Angeles, California, lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his partner. He started working for AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in 2010 in the organization's pharmacy division where he discovered his passion for patient advocacy.

King now serves as Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Manager in AHF's Southern Bureau, where he leads local and nationwide advocacy efforts and maintains relations with state and federal officials. King has been HIV positive for 6 years and aims to have an active role in reducing stigma that revolves around HIV/AIDS especially in the gay community.

As a former beneficiary of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, King seeks to preserve the program as he joins others in protecting and expanding its capacity to provide lifesaving therapy to those in need. In his free time, King is a runner, a Pride Center volunteer and a classical pianist.

James Breinig lives in southern NJ. James is 29 years old and on November 2, 2010 He thought his life was over. He tested positive for HIV at the Washington West Project in Philadelphia. Not knowing a lot about the disease, He was convinced his life from that point on would be one of pain and suffering. A little over two years later his life has absolutely changed for the better! As time went on he felt that he really wanted to share his story. Not because it is Hollywood material but because it is very similar to a lot of other HIV positive individuals. His hope is that it will touch someone newly diagnosed or someone who has been living with it for years, who may be afraid to tell anyone, and to let them know they're going to be okay.

In the past two years James has learned a lot and he wants to continue educating himself so that he can share that with others. He has been lucky in that he has been showered with love and support, but he knows that not everyone out there is in the same boat. He thinks a big reason is that HIV is still a taboo subject. If more HIV positive people share their story, everyone they reach out to now knows someone who is living with it and hopefully they can see that HIV isn't WHO they are, only something they are living with. It is absolutely possible to lead a long, healthy life thanks to great strides in medicine. He believes that silence only fuels the stigma still surrounding HIV/AIDS, He would like to break that silence one person at a time.

Ken Warnock served three years in the Navy prior to being discharged for being gay before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was even enacted.  As a Navy Hospitalcorpsman, he was involved in the roll out of HIV testing of US military personnel in the mid-80’s.  After the Navy, Ken used his military training as a Surgical Technologist to gain employment upon his return home to Michigan.  As a result of his experience with discrimination, he became an advocate for gay rights and became involved in a number of local organizations.  When DADT was being discussed, Ken was a common local media presence. 

In 1988, he contracted Hepatitis B from a scalpel injury during a surgical procedure.  This did not preclude him from working in the OR, however, when he was diagnosed with HIV & AIDS in 2002, a routine test demonstrated the presence of the Hepatitis B E-antigen which meant that he could no longer perform invasive surgical procedures.  He has become an Adjunct Faculty member at Macomb Community College and at Oakland Community College where he teaches Surgical Technology and Central Services Technology.  He also works full-time as a shift supervisor in the Sterile Processing Department of a local hospital.

On Sunday December 9th Jason Villalobos will be sharinghis story on the POZ I AM Radio Show. Jason Villalobos is an HIV/AIDS activist and national spokesperson for the Greater Than AIDS Campaign. Diagnosed with AIDS some 8 years ago, he has since dedicated his life to helping eradicate the shame and stigma associated with the disease.   Through public appearances, direct lobbying of elected officials, and partnering with local non-profits in San Francisco, Jason has advocated for more funding and charitable giving through his high profile in the HIV/AIDS activist world.   Last World AIDS Day Jason shared his story with www.edgeonthenet.com in the FACES of AIDS Video Series.

Justin B. Terry-Smith, 32, has been an HIV and Gay Civil Rights activist in the Washington DC area since 1999.  An Air Force veteran, he was honorably discharged with awards and decorations in 2003.  Justin created ‘Justin’s HIV Journal’ to advocate for HIV/AIDS education, prevention and awareness.  In his journal he tells people about the trials and tribulations when it comes to living with HIV/AIDS. He is also the Author of “I Have A Secret”, which is a story about a young boy living with HIV.  Justin also presently writes an Advice Column called, ‘Just*in Time’ for A&U, America’s AIDS Magazine & is working on his HIV Campaign called, ‘Write A Letter to HIV Campaign’ He also is in Graduate School for his Master’s in Public Health

Philip B. Terry-Smith, Ph.D., Th.D., LPC., is in private practice as an executive and personal coach, counselor and organizational consultant. He has worked with many diverse populations and settings, noted for using creative approaches to help organizations and individuals meet and overcome challenges and has thus made a career of human service management and consulting.  He has taught at all levels (graduate & undergraduate) for the many years in distance, “non- traditional” and “brick and mortar” schools including a 10 year stint in a high school.  He is on the Boards for the Atlas Performing Arts Center and is vice chair for APAC Manager. He is a commissioned officer in the Maryland Military Department, Md. Defense Force and is Sr. Clergy and a Chaplain for his Temple. His love for music and technical gadgetry presents an avocation for which he is quite fond and earned him the moniker “Dr. Gadget”.  He is an avid motorcyclist and is honored to ride with the Patriot Guard.  He currently resides in Maryland with his spouse Justin and their foster son.

On Sunday November 25th at 9pm, Kari Farmer-Coffman will be sharing her story. Kari lives near Fort Smith, AR. She is the mother of a beautiful daughter. Kari was diagnosed with HIV on NOv 4, 2010 and two days later was diagnosed with AIDS. She was told to make plans for her daughter and her funeral. Kari was not ready to quit. Two years later, she is still fighting and making a difference in the community. She is now undetectable. She is a full time student, an advocate and activist, and most importantly a better mother! She knows that she has a voice for this cause and she uses it to the best of her abilities.

Today she enjoys being a Girl Scout Leader, and is currently working on 2 grassroots organizations, AR HOPE is a prevention based program in the state of Arkansas. She is the leader of the River Valley branch (for her area in Arkansas) She has also helped start the C2EA(campaign to end AIDS) Arkansas branch. She is excited to see the growth in Arkansas. She has joined the PJP HIV Criminalization state task force to help change the HIV Criminalization laws in her state. She has also been invited to join the Arkansas HIV Minority Task Force that meets at the capital and works to change policeis and make life easier for those living with HIV. She is excited about her future as an activist and advocate. Working hard is one of the main things that keeps her motivated.

Chaz Howard is 19 years old and resides in Des Moines, Iowa. Howard was diagnosed fewer than nine months ago, yet he has made the choice to be completely transparent with regards to his HIV-positive status -- even with friends, family, fellow students and some acquaintances.

Chaz has found care and support that was unexpected and he speaks from the perspective of a newly-diagnosed youth of a mixed ethnicity in a state where a harsh HIV criminalization law exists. Howard is a member/volunteer of Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH), an emotional and social support group run by HIV+ for HIV+.

Chaz also volunteers with an Iowa-based non-profit organization titled Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network (CHAIN); CHAIN is spearheading the effort in Iowa to repeal or "modernize" Iowa's Draconian HIV-specific criminalization statute.

On Sunday November 7th at 9pm EST we will be speaking with Activist Jeff Allen on the POZ I AM Radio Show. Jeff Allen tested positive in 1985. He was a drug addict using heroin and cocaine and reckless in his behavior. Jeff was homeless and living in my car for more than two months. Jeff lived in Key west with his partner of 12 years where the HIV community was small and compact. When it came to the end of his life he wanted to leave and go where he was not so well known. After his passing Jeff moved to Deland Florida right outside the Daytona Beach area. He was very frail and weak, but needed a purpose in his life. This is when Jeff first started volunteering with HIV/AIDS in 1995.

Living with no T-cells for 3 years and a viral load 1,650,000 Jeff contracted MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex) from potting plants in my yard. “MAC,” is the name of a group of germs. These germs can infect people who are living with HIV. Jeff had to go on an IV drip for 5 days.

Then Jeff got involved with his local Ryan White consortium he ended up chairing the consortium for 7 years. He then decided he wanted to make a difference on the national level. Jeff knew he wanted to get involved with the homeless in some capacity since he was previous homeless. Jeff also knew that he wanted to help improve the quality of care that HIV/AIDS patients receive. So he applied and was accepted in several different positions

Then in 2011 working with his consortium, they needed to address the out of care numbers of clients that they have in the local area. After conducting focus groups and soliciting surveys, it was decided that the real issue was the fear and stigma that is associated with HIV/AIDS. People did not want to get tested in areas know to treat or counsel HIV positive people for fear of being associate with having the disease or being gay. So Jeff created the Positive Champions Speakers Bureau to deal with fear and stigma. www.positivechampions.org

Kathleen Gerus-Darbison is currently an Adjunct Professor in Sociology at Oakland Community College  in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Macomb Community College in Clinton Twp, Michigan. She teaches Intro classes as well as the Sociology of Sex Roles, Modern Social Problems, Race & Ethnicity and Marriage and Family.

Kathleen is probably best known as the Founder & Director of  Stitches Women’s Initiatives, an organization that offers doll making  workshops for women living with HIV infection and other health/life challenges. Stitches also provides a traveling exhibit of completed dolls to educate the larger community around issues of risk, stigma, and discrimination.

For more info: www.stitchesdollproject.org

On Sunday October 21st we will be speaking with Sarah and Sophie Denis-Johnston on, the daughters of Rebecca Denison. Sophie and Sarah Denison-Johnston were born at San Francisco General Hospital in March of 1996. Their mother, Rebecca Denison, founder of WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases) participated in the phase 1 trial of nevirapine that led to our negative status. Their mother wrote an article about her decision here: http://www.thebody.com/content/art12663.html 

Sophie and Sarah feel so honored to have been a part of this monumental step in approaching an AIDS free generation in that they know it's possible to stop mother-daughter transmission of HIV. Their only question is why should we be called fortunate. It's their hope that in the future having access to these types of drugs isn't a privilege. It should be accessible to everyone, no matter who and where they are.