Today is world AIDS day.  Not a big thing to many people.  AIDS never touches their lives.  Because to many, it’s a disease that is spread among homosexuals, people in Africa and people who live wild lifestyles.

My dad has AIDS.  He’s not a homosexual.  He’s not a wild and crazy sex addict.  He doesn’t live in Africa somewhere.  He’s a regular guy just like you and me.

I don’t usually broadcast it out or make a big deal about it, but this disease has affected my life too.  It isn’t just some random disease to me.  He’s lived with full-blown AIDS since 1994.

I’ve been by the bedside while I watched someone I love battle the various illnesses that come as a result of a poor immune system.  I’ve seen the reactions that people still have to people with AIDS,  the judgement & the scorn still associated with it.

AIDS is still a disease that has touched millions in our day and age.  In the next decade you will know at least a few people who have AIDS.  In fact you already may and maybe you don’t even know it.  In fact, they might not even know it yet either.

The image included is my dad with his grandson (my son) Aidan.