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Is the title of my memoir. I held the finished book in my hands for the first time today. After a year and a half of long, late nights and endless weekends at the
computer it feels amazing that the fruits of my literary labor have
been born! It is surreal...magical...wonderful...
terrifying...and liberating...
Here's a link to a new story about me and the upcoming book, written by Steve Slon (who is editor-in-chief of AARP, the magazine) for New Jersey Life (the magazine of which I used to be editor-in-chief). We are also excerpting the book in the October issue of POZ (which will hit the streets about a week before the book is in the bookstores on September 22).
I'm so eager to get your feedback on the book. I really hope the book busts out of the bubble of the HIV community and reminds everyone that anyone who's ever had (or is planning to have) unprotected sex is at risk for HIV and should be tested. I also hope that the book helps to dissolve the deadly stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS and keeps people from being educated about the disease, getting tested and treated for it, and finding the support they need and deserve. I am so TIRED of AIDS stigma. Enough already!
Well...back to editing the October issue and trying to write a speech for the upcoming Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's conference focused on (not surprisingly) prevention. Eric Goosby and Tom Frieden and Jeff Crowley and Magic Johnson are all on the lineup for the opening night's program. It's a little daunting to know you're following their acts...but an honor to be asked to participate!
I'll report from the conference in HOTlanta (aka Atlanta)...
terrifying...and liberating...
Here's a link to a new story about me and the upcoming book, written by Steve Slon (who is editor-in-chief of AARP, the magazine) for New Jersey Life (the magazine of which I used to be editor-in-chief). We are also excerpting the book in the October issue of POZ (which will hit the streets about a week before the book is in the bookstores on September 22).
I'm so eager to get your feedback on the book. I really hope the book busts out of the bubble of the HIV community and reminds everyone that anyone who's ever had (or is planning to have) unprotected sex is at risk for HIV and should be tested. I also hope that the book helps to dissolve the deadly stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS and keeps people from being educated about the disease, getting tested and treated for it, and finding the support they need and deserve. I am so TIRED of AIDS stigma. Enough already!
Well...back to editing the October issue and trying to write a speech for the upcoming Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's conference focused on (not surprisingly) prevention. Eric Goosby and Tom Frieden and Jeff Crowley and Magic Johnson are all on the lineup for the opening night's program. It's a little daunting to know you're following their acts...but an honor to be asked to participate!
I'll report from the conference in HOTlanta (aka Atlanta)...
Congrats on the finalized book Regan. I can't wait to read it. And I too am so damn tired of the stigma of AIDS. I've been dealing with it since 1991. Sheesh!
And speaking about swimming pools (clever seque huh?), I have a question. The swimming pool in my townhome community bans anyone from swimming who has a "communicable" disease. My question is does that include me since I have HIV/AIDS? I've never seen this question asked anywhere before and I'm wondering if you have an answer or if you know someone that can answer this? Or if you can bring it up in ATL and get an answer there since the program does concern prevention? Thanks, and
Cheers Regan.
Miguel in Charlotte
Congratulations Regan, I can't wait to read your book! Will you come to London to promote it? It would be lovely to see you.
Lots of love
Silvia X
congratulations regan,
i am so jealous, yet so proud of your accomplishment.
you continue to honor our HIV/AIDS community with your openness & resilience in doing your best to help reduce stigma. as i said to you the first time we met, the more you are out there telling your story, the more the media and public will accept HIV/AIDS as a heterosexual problem, not just a gay, people of color, or intravenous drug user problem.
my jealousy pertains to my ever increasing desire to see in print, someday, the same type memoirs of my own story with HIV. i know it will happen someday, but i will need to be free of my current professional obligations.
a second rejected attempt at joining my son on the infamous "tiger cruise" has stirred new interest in getting this project off the ground. seeing your announcement only adds more fuel to the fire.
i will be looking forward to seeing you over the next few months of your book tour, doing your best to help reduce stigma & raise awareness. your courage will shine through like a bright star, casting light upon aids in America and what needs to be done to change our country's perspective.
again regan, best wishes and congrats,
scott daly
Regan,
I have read some of your comments and ideas in the past and I know that you are the editor of POZ magazine but other than that I don't know much about you. However, after reading that you had written your memoirs, I felt compelled to write you and ask "Why"?
There are millions of women who have AIDS, I am one of those women. I was an RN and was infected while working at an AIDS hospice after being stuck by a needle while drawing a man's blood. He had a seizure and rather than let him fall off the side of the bed, I dropped the needle and stopped him from being hurt. When I did that I was stuck by the needle. That moment forever changed my life. That was on August 23, 1993 and I seroconverted and was diagnosed with AIDS on December 18, 1993. This disease has been both a blessing and a curse, but I started on the cocktail in 2001 and have been, for the most part, very healthy from that time to present day. I am truly blessed and I am grateful every day, for my life has been both a gift and a miracle.
There is much more to my story that people tell me they find inspirational, amazing, courageous and compelling. I'm not famous or well known, I'm not in the "limelight" and I don't have friends in high places to promote me or my story. The thing is, I'm not sure that it's even worth promoting to the masses or that what I've gone through is that much different from many other women I've spoken to, both known to me and complete strangers. I'm just one of a huge number of women who have been impacted by this disease and have reached inside themselves to find depths of character that they didn't even know they possessed.
So, I guess my point in all this is: what makes you different from other women with this disease who have probably gone through just as much, if not more, than you have, but don't have the money, the connections, the publicity or the friends in high places?
I don't write this to upset or discourage you. I don't have the power to do that. I'm nobody to you and you probably have "handlers" that go through your email and decide what you should and shouldn't see. You may never see this, but I feel better having written it. I have no interest in writing a book or publishing my memoirs. I'm an employed mental health therapist so I have money for my basic needs, as well. I'm just so much more impressed and inspired by the "regular" women I have spoken with who have dealt with HIV/AIDS in private, humble ways with amazing amounts of courage, strength and compassion.
These are the women who, if they had the opportunities to tell their stories or write an article about their life with AIDS, I would love to read and I do when I come across them. There will always be "famous" people who write books or go on the "lecture circuit" to talk about their terrible experiences and how they have dealt with them. There will always be people who are amazed by these people and how "inspirational" they are.
The people who truly amaze and inspire me are the ones who live in the background, quietly going about their lives and doing the best they know how, dealing with this disease on a daily basis with humility, courage and fortitude. You seldom hear of these people and the struggles they endure, but when you do, they are truly capable of inspiring others.
Sincerely,
Karen Manners
Hello Karen,
I tried to find you via Google, etc. as I would like very much to speak with you privately. You stirred up a philanthropic idea I had years ago, and I would like to run it by you.
In order to give you some privacy, and me as well, one of the forum administrators suggested I invite you to become a member of aidsmed.com and then send a PM to me. My screen name is Emeraldize. If you do that, then we can figure out how to communicate from there.
I sincerely hope you get this message.
Em (aka Emeraldize)
Regan,
I have preordered copies of your book and can not wait for them to be delivered. I also just read your opening speech from the conference. Words can not express how proud I feel to know you. You are such an inspiration, not just from your words but also from all that you are doing everyday of your life.
I have to get you and your message out to the teens in schools. I really believe we have to start with those fresh minds when they are so young and impressionable.
Please post any news about interviews you're planning to do to promote the book and book signings that are being scheduled.
I'm on my way to see Nick and help him paint the new house in Philly. Would love to get out and see you soon. The weather is perfect for Hunterdon trips.
All my best
Chris
"I am so TIRED of AIDS stigma. Enough already."
Regan, i remember vividly when the time came that i was ready to stand up and say this very same thing.
Welcome to the land of the liberated, my dear friend.
You will find yourself walking much taller, speaking out much louder, and living life the to the fullest, without once looking back over your shoulder.
Full steam ahead Regan, as we who have freely disclosed do our best to make others with HIV/AIDS experience this same euphoric feeling.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Scott Daly