Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald; Thursday, October 17, 1991
Jon O'Neill, Herald Staff Writer
Zamora, 19, is HIV positive. He knows all about the suffering that comes with the disease. Which is why he was at Centennial Middle School Tuesday.
"I don't want anyone to go through what I went through," said Zamora, who works as an educator for Body Positive, a resource and support center for people with AIDS. "That's why I say what I feel in the moment, and I try to be as honest as possible."
Zamora spoke to two groups of students at the school, 8601 SW 212th St. Most were from Centennial's dropout prevention program. Zamora's talk got their attention and held it.
He spoke frankly of his own experience, and tried to give students a sense of what options and protection are available for them. He discussed intravenous drug use, sex and condoms.
"I tell them that abstinence is an option, but it's not the only one," he said. "They need to know what else is available to them."
Zamora was brought to the school by counselor Elisa Develasco. She wanted students to hear the facts from a peer, rather than an adult lecturer.
"The facts can't be sugarcoated," she said. "I wanted to give the kids something they can relate to."
Zamora also told students they didn't need to become statistics.
"AIDS is a hard disease to get," he said. "Whether you get it or not is up to you."
His story elicited a number of questions and made a real impression on the students.
"He's the first person I ever met with AIDS," said Dwayne Robinson, 14, an eighth-grader. "There was a lot I didn't know, so what he said affected me a lot.
CAPTION: PHOTO Peter Zamora talks to students at Centennial Middle School.
911017
MH911007
Copyright © 1991 - Miami Herald. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Miami Herald, Permissions, One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132-1693 TEL: (305) 376-3719. http://www.herald.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1991. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1991. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .