Poz I Am Radio

After her divorce was final in 1996, Betsy Yung began a relationship with a man a few years younger than herself. In 2000 She discovered that he was exploring the transgendered community outside of the relationship. Ultimately, it caused their breakup. Shortly thereafter, Betsy began her most current relationship which came to an end shortly before her diagnosis.  On July 15 of last year Betsy was admitted to the hospital because she couldn't breathe. They didn't diagnose her until they had cut me open and scraped her lungs. When they discovered it was PCP, they tested her and she was given an AIDS diagnosis with 27 CD4 cells. She spent eight days on life support hovering near death.Hindsight being what it is, she realized that she had numerous warning signs over the previous few years... Shingles, thrush, UC and swollen glands. None of her doctors ever even suggested that she get tested. After all, She didn't fit the "at risk" demographic at all.Betsy discloses freely to anyone who expresses any interest and

  Ken Howard, MSW, LCSW, is the author of the self-help book, "Self-Empowerment: Have the Life You Want!: How to close the gap between how life is, and how you would like it to be, in important areas of life such as mental health, health, career, finances, family, community, and spirituality, based on his 18 years a licensed psychotherapist and life/business coach."  He has over 19 years experience specializing in gay men and gay male couples.  He is a 21-year survivor of HIV/AIDS and a 10-year survivor of cancer.  He is a psychiatric social worker by training at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Social Work (MSW, '94) and a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA, BA, '87).  He is the former Chair of the Los Angeles County HIV Mental Health Task Force, and wrote the mental health column for A&U (Art & Understanding, America's AIDS magazine) for two years.  He served on the Board of Directors for the Lesbian and Gay Psychotherapy Association of Southern Californ

Jane  is a twenty nine year old woman, mother, college student, HIV activist and advocate, and she is herself positive. Jane has spent the last five years years since she was diagnosed learning what she could about HIV itself, the stigma attached to HIV, and how HIV affects the lives of those living withthe disease in America as well as abroad. After attending her first conference she decided to dedicate as much of her time and energy as possible to being a part of the solution. She has done advocacy campaigning both on the local, state level as well as the national level. Jane is an activist who speaks to educate, as well as by blogging both with written word and with video blogging, utilizing youtube with blogs on several sites including MTV Staying Alive, she participated in an anti-stigma campaign, by being in commercials and on billboards.She currently is employed at Hope's Voice as a speaker for the Does HIV Look Like Me lecture series and she sits on the board for The ADAP Advocacy Association. Janine

Working in pre-hospital care for ten years, the first thing you ever learn is to expect the unexpected. That statement never held more truth to Donald than it did in the fall of 2005. Donald’s shift ended early because the trauma patient he had later died. Donald was exposed to this patient’s virus…HIV. Every healthcare provider’s worse fear came true that night. That is contracting an infectious disease from their patient. His goal no longer was to be a trauma surgeon. It was now going into Infectious Disease and Epidemiology. He wants to be on the front lines of this pandemic and change the face of HIV every way that he possibly can. Donald has worked with Magic Johnson to discuss healthcare reform, medical mission trips with “Doctors without Borders,” being on the advertisement for Atripla, he is a consultant for Bristol-Myers Squibb about Atripla, for two years he taught the chat portion of an undergraduate class at the University of Central Florida called HIV: A Human Concern. Despite the stigma that HIV

Paul Gallegos is a 42 years old HIV husband and father of 5 HIV negative children. Paul found out about his status in May of 1999. Paul has been married for just over 12 years, They live in Palm Springs, California. Paul is also the founder of The Intersection Project which he wills peak about during his interview.  Paul's courageous and bold activism allows him to put a face to the disease and educate others all at the same time. Tune in LIVE to hear Paul's story and learn more about The Intersection Project.   Follow Paul on Twitter - www.twitter.com/Pauly1999

Jeff Berry, is editor of Positively Aware, an AIDS advocate, HIV+ for 20+ years and a member of the AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition & Fair Pricing Coalition. His latest project is the second annual A Day with HIV in America, which will capture the collective portrait of those living with HIV, to help remove the stigma of HIV and to advance a community of care and support. Positively Aware is inviting people across America to snap a digital photograph at any time over the course of September 21.  Participants can record a portrait, time with friends and family at work or play, or any moment in the day that helps the world better understand life with HIV. Photos are to be submitted by September 26 on the A Day with HIV in America web site.  People can also follow A Day with HIV in America’s Facebook page or on Twitter @A_Day_With_HIV to see updates and selected photographs.  

Larry Estrada was diagnosed with HIV on August 5th 1998. He has volunteered at the Billy De Frank center teaching and educating youth about HIV/AIDS. In 1998 Larry has earned his 13.2 CEU credits with the state of Kansas in August of 2006 after earning his LPN nursing degree from the state of Kansas in 03. He has worked in the Nursing field and HIV/AIDs prevention field in his spare time for numerous years.Has always been an HIV/AIDS advocate teaching Community classes to youth and adults alike since his diagnosis. He Has worked with Hunter Health Clinic and other native organizations around Kansas since he moved to Kansas in 02. Has taken Classes to further his education to help Native and non native youth alike and has Volunteered at Wichita's River View Retreat and helped with Any town USA to help build tolerance and education with the LGBTQI community as well as his Native Community he is an enrolled member of the Anishnabe Nation and speaks his language. Mr Estrada partakes in Native ceremony and holds c

On Sunday September 4th our 4th season of POZIAM radio begins.Robert Breining & Jeromy Dunn will return with an hour of Hot Topics. They will be taking your calls and covering a range of HIV/AIDS related topics - starting meds, finding a doctor, disclosure,depression and finding support to name a few. Call us with your questions at 347-215-9442.

Writer, actor, comedian and children's entertainer, Miracle Mike Hennessey moved to Los Angeles in 1993 from Boston after he was told in August of 1990 that he had potentially 7 to 9 years to live when he was diagnosed with HIV. He thought, “Since I'm going to die anyway, I might as well do it on stage.” And he put together a goofy comedy routine and his healing process began. Once in Los Angeles, he quickly became famous as a children's performer for thousands of families all over Southern California and is known as Mystery Mike. In 1997 after the death of his mother, Ellen Sue, Mike developed full blown AIDS for the first time and his health continued to decline over the years with 13 close calls with the Angel of Death. In 2006 Mike, with only 4 “T-cells” launched the healing website “Mikes T Party” www.MikesTparty.com after being asked by others how they could help. People send in “Ts” from all over the world that represent 'T-cells' (commonly known as CD4) for the immune system. He has collected over 3,

  Melissa Baker learned that she was HIV-positive in August 2007, three days before her 28th birthday.  Her diagnosis was a surprise, since She had tested negative for HIV only the year before while in what she thought to be a monogamous relationship. Melissa quickly realized that life does not stop with HIV, and educated herself, her three now teen daughters, and the rest of her family and friends about the disease. Thanks to early diagnosis, She is  healthy today. She recently had a baby girl a year ago -her fourth daughter – who is HIV-negative. She works as aoncology receptionist.  She has chosen to speak out about her HIV status in order to dispel stigma and encourage other women to protect themselves and get tested for HIV. Melissa has volunteered on a committee with her state health department and enjoys working with incarcerated women on another volunteer project to help empower and educate. She has been featured in HIV Positive! magazine and the Southern AIDS Living Quilt video project.

  David Bromstad, host of HGTV’s Color Splash and winner of the first season of HGTV’s Design Star, is teaming up with Janssen Therapeutics to raise awareness of the importance of HIV testing, particularly among gay men, for the Know Yourself: Get HIV Tested initiative. As part of this initiative, David, an accomplished artist and muralist and one of the most celebrated interior design personalities on television today, will be designing and painting a mural that will bring to life the importance of HIV testing and inspire people to take action. David will be hosting an exclusive soiree in September to unveil the mural in conjunction with Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.  When David Bromstad was crowned the original HGTV Design Star in 2006, he was an accomplished artist and muralist and had spent years designing dream bedrooms for children across the Southeast US. Today he is one of the most celebrated interior design personalities on television and the star of his very own design show, Color Splash, on H

Michelle Anderson was just crowned 2011 Ms. Plus America. Michelle is an African-American woman who has been living for HIV since 1999. She currently resides in Dallas, Texas and is very active in her community as Co-Chair of Campaign to End AIDS Texas , The Afiya Center Peer Educator , Public Speaker , as well as a board member for AIDS Services of Dallas, and ADAP Advocacy Association where she is the Treasurer. Michelle has dedicated much of her personal life to educating others on HIV/AIDS throughout the greater Dallas area and beyond. She plans to finish her degree in Social Work where she will be able to continue to spread the message, and educate people regarding HIV/AIDS. Michelle is has stepped out of the box and is currently Ms. Duncanville Plus America 2010 and 2011. She plans to use her title to become the voice of positive women of color. Michelle has experience as a group facilitator and has attended many conferences where she received training in Advocacy, Project LEAP (Learning, Empowerment, A

Are you newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS ? Do you have questions about living with HIV? This week Robert Breining  and Jeromy Dunn will be focusing on taking your questions through out the entinre show. Call in with your questions or advice fo those who are newly diagnosed. Call in # 347-215-9442

Robert & Jeromy will be discussing the current ADAP Crisis in America including updates on current waiting lists numbers. They will also be sharing whays you can get involved to help end the ADAP Waiting lists. Call in and share your feeling ont he subject at 347-215-9442 or tweet us @poziam

Nelson Vergel is a 25+ year long term HIV survivor. Aided by his chemical engineering degree and obsession for scientific data, he adds his own personal experience as he demystifies many health myths. For the last 20 years, his trial-and-error experience to improve his quality of life has paved the way for others to learn from his knowledge.  Nelson Vergel is a chemical engineer who has become a leading advocate for sports nutrition, supplementation and the promotion of wellness in the HIV-positive community since his positive diagnosis in 1986. He is also the author of "Testosterone: A Man's Guide" and co-author of the book "Built to Survive"; the founder of the nonprofit organizations Body Positive Wellness Clinic and Program for Wellness Restoration  Learn more at www.nelsonvergel.com 

This hour Jeromy Dunn and Scott Kramer will be taking your calls and covering a range of Hot Topics. 

Maria  a 37-year-old Colombian female who lives in Miami, Florida. She has been positive for 20 years. Although almost all her life she has been in long-term relationships with HIV-negative men, She is now happily married to a woman who is wonderful and caring. They have been together almost three years and her partner is HIV negative.  She is an activist, a peer educator, and a caregiver.She has volunteered for the Red Cross in education for the Hispanic HIV community and also the American community..She has spoken at many conferences and done a lot of outreach in the community It is part of her everyday life to educate everyone she can on this subject.    "Being HIV positive is nothing to be ashamed about! We are strong women, and we will take away all the stigmas slowly but shortly"  -Maria

The son of a Southern Baptist Pastor, Rev. Dr. Harvey Carr has been involved with work in the religious community most of his life  Dr. Carr was ordained in 1968, at the age of 19 upon graduation from a small conservative Southern Baptist College in Mississippi. In August 2009, he was granted a Doctor of Humanities by Canterbury for his 24 years of work in service to people infected with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS Having worked with the first Buddy Program in Memphis, Tennessee in 1984, Harvey has been actively involved in the fight since GRID was first diagnosed in the US, working with programs in Memphis, Chicago, and Baltimore prior to moving to Florida. It was while living in Baltimore that he was rushed into exploratory surgery for an undiagnosed ruptured appendix after being told there was a 60/40 chance he would not survive surgery. Blood work prior to surgery showed him to be HIV-. Harvey was been tested every 6 months for many years, always testing negative. At the time of his surgery he had been

This Sunday Robert Breining will be taking calls and touch on some hot topics . Call in with your questions at 347-215-9442

Vickie Lynn is a 26 year HIV survivor. She was infected in October of 1985 by her then fiancé. She was diagnosed with AIDS in 1991 and is blessed to have survived the worst times of this pandemic. She has served on the Ryan White Care Council; she helped establish the Sisters in Spirit, a support group for women living with HIV in her community, and has served as a volunteer for various HIV/AIDS Service Organizations and community agencies. She currently works at the University Of South Florida (USF) on a research grant that examines behavioral health interventions for women living with HIV. She earned both her Master’s in Social Work and Master’s in Public Health at USF. Vickie also serves on the HIV/AIDS Consumer Advisor Group for the State of Florida. She has contributed to online blogs, educations sites, and is passionate about working on issues related to HIV/AIDS prevention, human rights and access to health care.