Jenny, with all due respect, I disagree with you. Please bear with me for just a sec. You seem like an incredible role model. I've read your blog almost as soon as you made your first post. I applaud you and agree with you on so many levels. The thing is, though, that his situation with HIV is different from yours. First, he's a felon. Second, he's a male that happens to be HIV+ and impregnated a woman. As a woman that went to college to work in infectious disease, I do know that statistically speaking it's easier for a man to give it to a woman than the converse. If Antoinette was HIV+ and had gotten pregnant by somebody that wasn't, she'd have a good chance of having a healthy non HIV infected baby...but they could still carry the trait which could remain dormant for that child's entire life. I said could, not would, as it doesn't happen all the time. Now, in Coe's situation, he's a male. He has an incredibly high chance of passing on not only the HIV virus to Antoinette (if she doesn't have it already), but also to his unborn child. Statistics back me up, as well as biology involving germ cells, viruses and disease pathology. The proof is in the cultures. The WHO knows more than the CDC and holds much info regarding this issue. For the reason I just stated I think it's deplorable & downright negligent that he made a baby with her, I'd even go so far in saying that I personally think if the child is born with HIV that they could be charged with negligence or child abuse. I know there may be many naysayers that might not agree with my opinion, but that's where I stand. Having said all of this, I've worked with many an AIDS patient...sharing numerous hugs & kisses. I've had a friend since childhood become HIV infected & have a child with the virus also. It doesn't even show up in her son anymore & he's now 19! She wasn't so lucky, though. Again, it's a ton easier for a child to be born with HIV, or even full blown AIDS, if the father is the one that carries the virus. Education, which you know, holds the key. The people that are frightened of the silly machinations involving HIV and become prejudice are simply not educated in that field. I feel sorry for them b/c they could be missing out on learning from some of the best minds in the world. I'm sorry for what you endured along these lines in the service, but my response is dead on with why I feel Clarence & Antoinette are disgusting individuals.
I mean no disrespect & send tons of love your way. From my perspective, and from my lengthy education involving it's pathology, I personally feel it's borderline child abuse if that baby is born with AIDS. This is in no way a reflection on you or anyone else living with this disease. This is only referencing Clarence & Antoinette's irresponsibility that could ultimately hurt their unborn child. That's such a sad situation. Children are innocent.
Hugs & kisses to you.
Jersey