Short Stories, Long Odds

With my first post on this site, I did not expect to detail what I will detail in the following paragraphs. I’d prefer to discuss the absurdity of Iraq soldiers not getting armor a, “logistical issue.” Perhaps the continued blind eye to environmental concerns. The strongest link to all of this is accountability.

BBC News ran an article and broadcast on the Guinea Pig Kids. Children in foster care with HIV being treated with experimental drugs.

“We were told that if they were vomiting, if they lost their ability to walk, if they were having diarrhoea, if they were dying, then all of this was because of their HIV infection.” - Jacklyn Hoerger

If a caretaker took a child off AZT, or any other potential drugs — they noticed the child got healthier. The mistake wasn’t in taking the child off one of these “miracle drugs,” but reporting the child’s health to a hospital or doctor.

Enter the ACS, Agency for Child Services, who employ a wide range of powers — to keep the child on one of the medications. This agency apparently agrees with AIDS doctors, if the child isn’t dying, something’s wrong. Done for the good of these children.

The children have no escape, refusing medication means a tube is inserted in their stomach. It doesn’t matter if the caretakers comply. The ACS always has the power and mobility to label these caretakers as abusive, to take control of the child’s health. For better or worse.

With caretakers surgically removed from protecting these children, awareness and accountability is the best bet these kids have.

Liam Scheff’s comprehensive article provides much more of the information. Read and spread.

Accountability begins with awareness, but ends with action. I suggest making use of the contact information for ACS, GSK, to let them know this issue isn’t going to slip under the radar easily.