This morning while I was getting back from one of the classes I usually attend, I run into a man with AIDS. How did I know? You see, in Lima, beggars, and people with issues ride on the buses so as to ask for help by giving speeches and selling stuff. This time my predictions were not on the nose. Due to his good looks and manner of speaking, this gentleman could have been mistaken for any other passenger.

 

When he started recounting his story, I knew there was something wrong though. He went from how society discriminates him for his condition to the point in which he can only work during Summers as a chauffeur, to what he envisions for his little daughter whom looks up to him. He did not get on the bus so as to grovel for help. He got on it so as to teach us a lesson. Even though he did not get the unequivocal support of the passengers; this good sir left with a smile in his face knowing that most of us did help him.

 

He even chewed out a person who  snubbed  him blatantly. After seeing how upsetting it was to witnessing how idiotic that person could have been so as to snub him, I think he deserved it. On the other hand, I remained guarded as I always do in those types of situations. Being unfairly judged is part and parcel of openly stating you have a problem like the aforesaid. Still and all, his speech made quite a splash.

 

In review, we should never underestimate neither the gravity of illnesses like AIDS, neither should we underestimate the wisdom of infected people. If we do not want to end up with this diseases having us over the barrel, we have to take all precautions. Lastly, it bodes well for the future of our society to have citizens such us the man I run into. It takes courage and a matter of assuaging your anger to be able to do what this gentleman did.