Today marks the 12th anniversary of National Black HIV/AIDs Awareness Day.
This initiative was created by 5 organizations to provide support and assistance to black groups and communities as it relates to HIV/AIDs awareness.
We all know the importance to education and protect ourselves. So when it comes to providing insight, there is one special woman that comes to mind.
International Activist and Public Speaker, Hydeia Broadbent. If you don’t know her, you should.
Abandoned at a Las Vegas hospital shortly after birth and later adopted, Broadbent was born with the HIV virus. When she was 3, her condition then advanced to AIDs.
Now she’s 27 and has turned her life experiences into a mission to provide international awareness.
Hydeia has been featured on national programs such as 20/20, Oprah, Weekly with Ed Gordon and Good Morning America. She has also been featured in publications like Essence Magazine, Teen People and The New York Times.
Hydeia was so gracious to chat with Natural HIGH about her mission, how she lives day to day and new projects for 2012.
Check out our chat.
-You became an HIV/AIDS Activist at the inspiring age of at 6. What do
you remember about becoming a speaker at that age? Did you realize the magnitude of the subject you were speaking on?
I remember I wanted to speak because I was not afraid to say I have AIDS. A lot of my friends were not allowed to tell their best friends or even the Grandparents. I just wanted people with AIDS to be accepted and that’s why I started speaking.
-What does your daily medicine routine consist of? Does it ever change?
Right now I am on 7 pills, I have pills I take in the morning and pills I take at night. I just started a new routine before this one I was on another one for about 7 years.
You change things when the medications stop working.
-Besides be an Influential Humanitarian and Public Speaker, what are your non-related goals and hobbies? (i.e. career, school)
I am really a homebody. I love to just stay home, cook and watch movies. I love spending time with my family. Also, when I am not traveling, I am involved with my church.
-What is the biggest and most common misconception about HIV/AIDs?
That you can tell by looking at someone if they have AIDS or not. Also if someone has AIDS they did something immoral or improper
-Do you have any future projects for 2012 in the works?
I will continue my prevention awareness program with different educational institutes. Also, I will be starting my book and also doing some television work that deal with bring awareness to the at risk population with programming they can relate to.
-You inspire so many, who inspires you? and why?
My family inspires me the most, they inspire me to go after my dreams and be the best person I can be.
-Have you ever been discriminated against and if so how did you deal with it?
How do you help others that are living with HIV/AIDs deal with
discrimination?
I really don’t remember, but I know when I was in kindergarten a teach sprayed me with bleach because I sneezed. I just believe that education lifts the veil of fear and ignorance. I encourage those who also live with HIV/AIDS to continue to inform others daily and make their lives of purpose every day.
-We gotta ask. . . Are you natural? š and if so how long? If not have
you considered it?
Right now I am not natural, I miss being natural so very much.
When you’re doing a lot of traveling and when your at photo shoots or getting ready for TV you have so many different people in your hair it can damage it because not everyone knows what they are doing.
I started wearing my natural hair braided up and I were weave right not to give my hair and break and keep people out of it.
Thanks so much Hydeia sharing with us a little bit about you. We love your drive and determination to make everyone aware.
For more information on Hydeia Broadbent and her dedicated to HIV/AIDs awareness visit her at www.HydeiaBroadbent.com or follow her on twitter @HydeiaBroadbent