DEDICATED TO THOSE WE LOVE

Shelton Jackson was and will always be remembered as a man of compassion, an agent of change and a loving father. Shelton was a gifted author and an incredible advocate. The words Shelton wrote had a deep and meaningful personal impact on the lives of many people, including my own. After finding out I was HIV positive, I found myself confused, angry and feeling lost. I felt the deep pains of being HIV positive and yet could not find the words to express my feelings. I was introduced to an incredible author, Shelton Jackson, and The Second Chapter: Acceptance and The Dawn of a New Day. The words on the pages provided a sense of relief for what seemed like an overwhelming situation. His poems filled my mind and my heart and was like music to my ears.

Shelton Jackson brought a smile to everyone around him. His sense of humor and ability to make any situation better were always welcomed relief. I remember sharing an RV and being horribly afraid to use the restroom in the woods late at night. There was no fear because Shelton brought a machete for protection. He wasn't a fan of camping -- obviously. He patiently waited while I used the restroom and then escorted me back to the RV under the light of the moon. This was a symbolic gesture and a testament to his personality. It was clear that he loved and protected those he cared for.

I learned much from Shelton. He was a man that deeply and fully committed to those he loved and his life. I learned his story shortly after meeting him and found myself laughing, crying and feeling inspired. His story was filled with love, pain, struggles and dreams. A man that could have been defeated, was so determined to show the world that it is not what our challenges are, it is how we respond that shows who we are. He was a man that lived, laughed and loved harder and more deeply than anyone I know.

Shelton Jackson was an Ambassador with the Does HIV Look Like Me? US Camapaign and his story was one of triumph and the need to never regret but to move forward. He would share his story with students and I remember watching them react with a sense of compassion that they had never felt. They were connected and inspired to make a difference in their own life and the lives of others. He was a man that was determined to not let this disease define him, but defined the disease. His story and words touched countless young people and though we will never know the number of young people who's lives have been saved by his work, I am confident that he has saved many.

It is hard to comprehend this loss and I am angry that he is gone far too soon. I know that Shelton's faith and trust in God was a driving force for the person he was. As young people, we must never tolerate or accept that the way it is, is acceptable and that we can simply be content. Shelton was a man that always believed that we could make things better and was committed to living his life by example.

Shelton will be missed, remembered and never be forgotten. It was truly an honor to know and work with a man that educated, inspired and gave hope to so many, including myself. In honor of Shelton 's life let us all take a moment to recognize the work ahead and share our love with those around us. You will be missed my friend.

Todd Murray
Board of Directors, Does HIV Look Like Me? International

If I were to describe the kind of person Portia was, I would run out of words. As a friend, she was a great person to be around, had a great sense of humor and there was never a dull moment in her presence, a person of few words who would rather speak with her actions. I still have to meet someone who uses the word "jolly" as often as she did, it was a major part of her vocabulary so much that at times we would throw it into any part of our conversations with her just to make her laugh. She was one of the most peaceful people I have come across. As a colleague and activist, she showed dedication in everything she did. I had the opportunity of being her supervisor for two years and ended up learning a lot from her, those lessons will forever be in my heart as she taught me diligence, faithfulness and how to deal with difficult situations, we called her the peace-make as she never harbored hard feelings against anyone and always made people feel at ease around her. She was a very supportive person who has taught me what being a true friend means, she stood by me when my dad passed away and was with me in the dark days when my fiance decided that it was time to part ways. She always told me that whatever happens in our live is not because we are bad people, but it"s because we are strong enough to face anything. I never understood it at the time. But now my eyes have been opened and I know what exactly she meant.

What I liked about Portia mostly was her strength and the way she regarded her being open with her status, I remember at some point in my life when I confided in her that I regret ever being open about my HIV status, she looked at me as if I have said something very terrible. I realized then that the words I've just spoken really hurt her and had to apologize for feeling that way. She was a person of few words at time and would rather let her actions speak, she is one person. She always said that what people say about her living with HIV means nothing to her because at least she knows the enemy she is fighting and knows how to defeat it as opposed to walking around not knowing your status.

She had dreams, and one of her wishes was to see at least one game in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, unfortunately that would not be. Portia refused to be defined by HIV, she always told us that yes she knows she will leave this planet someday, but it won't be because of HV. That is one thing that happened because she lived with the virus and only to be taken away by cancer.

Portia was not just a friend and activist, she was a sister, a daughter and a mother. Not only to those related to her by blood, but to everyone in her community. When you go to her neighborhood, you will find that she was a well known community leader and a beacon of hope to the youth in the area who looked up to her and wished they had her strength and compassion. She was well suited to being an Ambassador with the Does HIV Look Like me Campaign? Campaign. It is not only those who were close to her who lost someone special, but the whole community has lost.

It is quite difficult to see the people you look up to fall around you, but what keeps us going are the words they spoke to us, the strength we saw in them and their drive to make a difference in the lives of other people. Portia may be gone, but she will forever be in our hearts. It is now up to us to continue in her quest to end stigma and discrimination associated with HIV, encourage openness and positive living. Through her I have learned that "life is not calculated by the number of years one has lived, but by how one has live and contributed in the lives of others". And her contribution will always be visible in the lives of those who knew and heard about her.

Luckyboy
South Africa Ambassador