Let this Girl alone!!

Dang, I guess nothing is sacred with anyone. Katie Holmes is about to be married to Tom Cruise in one of the most talked about weddings of 2006. I can't say how many times that stress is herpes biggest enemy and sure enough, Katie has apparently been suffering an oral outbreak. Poor thing, I wish she'd just join all of us in Herpes Awareness and step up to be a Herpes Hero.

Message to Katie: Just breathe girl, you'll be ok. I don't wish this infringement on your personal life on anyone so hang in there. I guess I should be lucky that my herpes is not easily seen by the naked eye. I guess there are pros and cons to having genital herpes vs. oral herpes.

source:

Herpes Heroes

The is only a one letter difference between the words herpes and
heroes, and the letters p and o are only one letter apart, which means
that no two words can be closer than herpes and heroes.


The world needs more herpes heroes both for those of us with "the
gift" and for those lucky 40% of the population who don't have
herpes.


A herpes hero is someone who willingly foregoes their privacy to
publicly be identified as a person with herpes and speaks out in order
to educate, encourage and enlighten others. A herpes hero helps put
human faces on this often-faceless worldwide pandemic.


Not all herpes heroes will choose to take their message to the media,
most herpes heroes are making a difference on a much more personal
level. They have come out of the closet and have discussed herpes with
friends and loved ones and have been like ripples in the water of their
own communities.


Why do we need herpes heroes?


Those of us with herpes need herpes heroes because too many of us are
living ashamed and stigmatized by the disease. Having herpes heroes
lets us know we are not alone, not in the minority. We are 6 out of
every 10 people. We are our own nation. But we are a nation without
visibility, respect or power.


In this society you are only respected when you stand up for who you
are and what you believe in. Herpes heroes believe that it is wrong for
people with herpes to be made to feel stigmatized, ashamed and
disrespected.


Both the infected and uninfected need herpes heroes to speak out and
dispel the misinformation about herpes and speak the truth about this
misunderstood disease, especially to the youth. We need herpes heroes
to also help promote safer sex. We need herpes heroes to encourage
anyone who thinks they don't have herpes and who has had six sex
partners or more to get a blood test for herpes since 70% or more of
people with herpes don't know they have it. We cannot rely on
governments, the medical profession, drug companies, or the media to
get the message out.


I am not suggesting that everyone who has herpes needs to become an
activist and make their herpes status public. Every community needs it
leaders. We need a small number of brave people who care to step up and
make a difference.


There are no major charities raising money for herpes awareness. There
are no celebrities famous or not so famous, willing to admit they have
herpes and put a human face on the disease. So it's up to few of us
to do more. Each one teach one, each one reach one.


Christopher Scipio
Homeopath/Herbalist
Holistic Viral Specialist
Christopher's Weblog
http://www.herpesnation.com
http://www.natropractica.com


Luanne's comments:

Christopher,

Woo hoo!!! I think we have a winner. You are so brilliant :-) Your concept is RIGHT ON!!!

After having had a lengthy phone conversation recently with Christopher in regard to Herpes Awareness, I felt that this was a wonderful twist on words. What we would like to do is put out a challenge to "celebrities with herpes". We are looking for a celebrity to be a spokesperson for this virus. We are challenging those "celebrities with herpes" to step forward and humanize this virus. The millions of people who are diagnosed with herpes suffer more emotionally than physically for the most part and why should they? It's so ridiculous that those of us living with herpes should have to feel ashamed for having this virus. We won't die from it, but it also shouldn't have such a dreaded or dirty stigma attached to it and it does. The majority of us didn't even know we were signing up for it when we got it and chances are, the ones who gave us this lovely gift had no idea they were even carriers, because you can have it and not even know you have herpes. Of course, sadly there are many people who have this gift and simply don't know enough about it to realize that they could be shedding asymptomatically and passing it on. Many people, myself included, before I learned more about it, assumed that we couldn't pass it on unless we were having an obvious outbreak, but we were wrong. So we believed that if we were having an outbreak that it wasn't necessary to have "the talk" with our sexual partner, that we would simply abstain from sexual relations. I mean, who wants to admit to it, it's not an easy thing but it's the right thing.

So I'm calling out to the Magic Johnson's of the world who might be living in silence or even shame with oral and genital herpes. Please step forward and help those of us who simply want to show the world that even "pretty people" can get this virus. So many people have even considered suicide as a way of coping with their herpes diagnosis and WHY??!! Short of putting the rumored names of celebrities who are "supposedly" living with oral or genital herpes, here in my blog, I encourage you to REACH OUT TO US, to those of us who are wanting to squelch the stigma, to help others realize how common this virus is and that they too might even be carriers and not even know it. I'm sure we could even help those of you who might be hiding behind cesarean sections and papparazi photo's of you sporting a coldsore to let that weight be dropped from your shoulders as well. We're all people and we're all in this boat together. Herpes is what it is and why be ashamed. Life is too short and it's "JUST" a virus to me. Together, we CAN make a difference. Do some good for those who are suffering needlessly. There are many people who would appreciate your support.

Read my letter to Dr. Phil McGraw (still waiting to hear back from his producers).

Dear Dr. Phil

My letter to Dr. Phil McGraw

I watched the show with Stephanie and the fact that she had been harboring a secret in regard to being assaulted when she was younger from her friends and family. At the end of the show, Dr. Phil mentioned "If you would like to share a story and to USE YOUR LIFE to help others, please go to www.drphil.com. I was unsuccessful when I typed in keywords "use your life" and found nothing. I searched for a separate message board on this subject as well. There are many topics which people out there are needing to "talk" about, get off their chests and not feel stigmas which have been attached by society. Things which people SHOULD NOT be shameful about. Society needs to be educated and realize what herpes is exactly. Too many people go through life, only learning about something if they have been impacted by it. I was guilty of that as well until the internet came along. I was under the impression that I wouldn't pass the virus along unless I was having an active outbreak. Well, I've learned differently. Did you know that 90% of people out there that have genital herpes don't even know that they have it because they don't get any signs or symptoms? Did you know that herpes is not included in the routine std testing process? Many people don't realize this and I feel we need to do whatever we can to bring more light to the subject.

My "use my life" topic is in regard to the fact that I have genital herpes and for me, it's a "skin condition" but the emotional issues and stigma's attached to it can be overwhelming, in fact I've even heard of folks committing suicide because they felt as though they would never be loved or be able to be intimate or sexual with another person. Over what?? A cold sore located "down yonder", but sadly society has said . . . it's not a good thing, but I along with a whole lot of other people have come to understand that having herpes is NOT the end of the world.

I encourage one of your staff members to join a yahoo group (which I personally help to moderate) for additional information and education on this topic, to understand what those of us who go through having herpes, dating issues, etc. The group is called Picking Up the Pieces.

We also have several members who are on Picking Up the Pieces, who have HPV (human papillomavirus). The site admin of Picking Up the Pieces also created a website which has tons of valuable information as well as true stories written by people who live with genital herpes and oral herpes (reminder: the common cold sore is herpes) each day. You will gain alot of insight by reading many of the true inspirational stories.

Many in the herpes community are ready to step up to the plate, be a member of the audience or one which Dr. Phil might possibly interview on stage, in order to help squash the negative stigma associated with herpes. I personally would love to fill each and every audience seat with people who have herpes, just to show the world, that herpes does not discriminate. It's time for a change and we would like to help others out there to realize they are NOT ALONE. We do have several members though, who have not yet gotten to the point in their herpes journey where they feel comfortable "outing" themselves on national television and that's OK. I know that the Dr. Phil show producers will respect their privacy. Everyone deals with and accepts having herpes at their own pace. I am proud to say, that by having this "Pick Up" board available to those who have herpes has been a godsend for them. If you'll read through the past posts, you'll see many people indicate how grateful they are to all of the information we provide.

We continually refer people to the "Updated Herpes Handbook" which Terri Warren is affiliated with and also answers medical questions about herpes over on WebMD. In my opinion, she would be an excellent candidate as a guest speaker for the show. Other people who I know I can speak for from our community and who would be willing to speak on the show, would be the other two moderators from Picking Up the Pieces, Gayla (who speaks to Doctors at conferences) along with Angela who is also known as yoshi2me and is a Patient Advocate.

In regard to celebrity figures who "supposedly" have genital herpes, I would love to see them step up to the plate and help to spread awareness. I believe it would be beneficial for all of us. The more we can spread herpes awareness, the better it is for everyone and anyone. I did a google search on the keywords "celebrities with herpes". I realize that gossip is gossip, but some of you on staff at Dr. Phil, might have already had interactions with some of these people in the past and might be able to approach them, to verify if this information is true and to see if they'd be willing to help the rest of our community. Coming from The Dr. Phil Show, they might be more willing to help the rest of us out, than we as an anonymous group. (Ann Heche is one name who comes to mind, along with Robin Williams). Mind you, I honestly don't know or even care if they do or don't but that's what the rumor mill has put out there, so I'm sure it's not news to them and if they can help others to "cope" with it, I think they'd be willing to speak and help spread the awareness. Who better than someone who has walked a mile in those shoes.

Also, I'd like to add, that Dr. Ruth, recently wrote a book I'm sure she wouldn't mind having some exposure on called: "Dr. Ruth's Guide to Talking about Herpes".

Recently Michael Vick, (you can read his situation here) due to his ongoing law suit which has been made quite public, I'm not sure how much light he would be able to shed on this or if he'd even be interested, but if he knew the herpes community was behind him, that would be a plus for him. I bet it would be good for him too, to be reminded that he was not alone. My big question to the gal who is trying to sue him is "Did she have her full STD testing done, prior to engaging in sexual activities with him?" Probably not, but in the end, all of us are responsible for our own sexual health and need to be aware and responsible.

People who are diagnosed with herpes, needs someplace to turn for support and yoshi2me has created a web page, linking to Herpes H Pals. Here is my personal contribution to the H Pal Program.

So there you have it. I've given you lots of ideas as to how to formulate an awesome show on the topic of genital herpes and to help spread herpes awareness which is needed very badly. This virus NEEDS to be talked about. In the end, having herpes is not the end of the world for me. I've had it for 17 + years and I have basically quit counting because I've finally accepted having it within myself. I am so much more than herpes and so is anyone and everybody else who might have it. Our internet community is vast. It extends across the waters as well in regard to support and friendship. There are support groups nationwide in almost all major cities where people can go for friendship and support.

Feel free to contact any of those people who I have mentioned above. All of these people have already put themselves out there on the internet and would welcome a new opportunity to continue spreading awareness. They will all be eager to help and all feel that not only Herpes Awareness but STD Awareness is vital to the health and well being of not only adults, but teens as well.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my letter and your consideration on doing a show on this topic. I'm sure you will touch alot of people who are living in fear and silence about this by bringing it to the forefront. This is my opportunity to "Use My Life" to help other people.

Sincerely,

Luanne L.

43 years old from Northwestern Pennsylvania