Elton John believes that love can can AIDS. He feels that the U.S. legislation has provided AIDS relief to developing countries because it was based on compassion and caring for those who are living with HIV/AIDS. And what drives others to reseaech the terminal illness is driven by the strength of emotions. The ‘Candle in the Wind’ hitmaker spoke at the AIDS 2012 international conference in Washington D.C. and he said that other people probably thought he was naive.
Elton added,” Maybe yoy think I’m off my rocker. Here I am telling you an audience of 7,000 global health experts that you can end AIDS with love?But thanks to all their compassion, more than eight million people are on treatment…Thanks to people who can chosen to act, who have chosen to care, we can see the end of the epidemic but it’s going to take a lot compassion to get us there, a hell of a lot more.”
The 65-year-old singer pointed out that the shame and stigma prevents many HIV-positive from getting treatment and everybody in the world needs to feel that they matter. He said,” We have inexpensive and accurate take-home tests. But if we can’t convince people to get tested if they feel their lives don’t count…Millions of people around the world the feel ashamed because of who they are. They feel subhuman, worthless, like they don’t matter at all.”
Elton has recovered from a cocaine addiction and he explained that feeling shame has nearly killed him. And shame is killing people with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Replace that stigma with compassion.
That is a beautiful and heartfealt speech and an excellent analysis. HIV/AIDS will end if their more sensitive and compassionate people out there. Although the silence has been broken, the stigma has not.
