Image credit: RitaE from Pixabay
One of the more heartwarming stories to come out this week was that of gay couple Damian Pighin and Ariel Vijarra of Sante Fe, Argentina adopting a baby born with HIV.
As told by British news and entertainment site Unilad, the story began in 2011. Pighin and Vijarra had decided to expand their family after becoming the first gay couple to get married in Santa Fe. Their search for a child would only end in 2014 when they received a call about a newborn baby ready to be adopted.
The baby girl ready for adoption had already been rejected by 10 families because she was infected with HIV. The couple, however, immediately took her in, telling local media that the connection “immediate.”
It’s been five years since and so much has changed for the HIV-infected baby girl. Now named Olivia, she responded well to her HIV treatment and in 2017, the couple was told that HIV was no longer detectable in Olivia. Olivia now also has a sister named Victoria. Both are set to celebrate their birthdays this February.
Adopting a baby is a big responsibility, even more so if it’s a child like Olivia. There are many parents — gay and straight — who are more than willing to take on that responsibility, especially now that adoption by same-sex couples is legal in all 50 states.
Living with HIV in this day and age is also no longer a death sentence like it was in the 80s. PrEP has made it possible to live with HIV, and 2020 will see a cheaper generic version of the treatment enter the market.
But what we’d like to ask Adam4Adam blog readers is if they’d be willing to make the same decision that Pighin and Vijarra made. Would you welcome a child infected with HIV into your family? Why or why not? Tell us what you’d do in the comments section below.
This is a wonderful story. To answer the question, yes I would adopt a hiv child. I think it depends if a person has the emotional and financial means to provide the medication and care for a child that is hiv positive. Children need to be loved and supported no matter what their condition. This couple choose to open there hearts to this child and love her oppose to stigmatize her for something she had no control in contracting. Because of them she will live a long and healthy and hopefully, happy life. Because of her, their lives will become… Read more »
This is not related to the story here, but about the statement “PrEP has made it possible to live with HIV.” I got confused, because my understanding is that PrEP is used by people who are HIV negative and want to prevent acquiring the virus. Is that right or I’m wrong?
Yes you are right…
Can’t say anything more than what has been said. Yeah, I would had things turned out differently in my own life in time. I think it just draws something more even, out of someone whom has lost some of the best friends ever had or ever will have in one’s life, you lavish all the more love and affection on this innocent little child.
We absolutelty would without a second thought….This for me is a very selfish decision on my part…My reason for saying this is because my husband of 38 years is a physician and because of him we have lived a very good life…He has allowed me the financial stability to not work thus being the sole care giver of friends that have died from HIV…Finally, I would LOVE to see a different outcome to this insidious disease and raise a child with love support and understanding with a positive, not “positive” future…We have two children and 3 grans..I know what the… Read more »
I would so adopt an HIV+ baby because a disease doesn’t define a life. If anyone can’t see past a status is obviously someone who can’t see past their own obstacles in life to overcome something that could really shape a child’s life. I want to say that the article was very good, not that there are many bad articles that are written but this one seems especially touching so thank you for that. Love is universal and a disease is singular. Much love everybody!
Yes ,I would adapt a HIV + child , as long I was able to provide she/ him with the proper medical care that the child would need, I myself am HIV + , I have been so since 1992. Today, I am very healthy and the virus is undetectable in my body. thanks to having excellent doctors and HIV meds. based on my experiences living with HIV , I would not have any reservations about adopting a HIV + child.
Deff would. All children need a home and love
I would adopt because as a person living with HIV I know what it takes to manage the disease firsthand. Also as he/she gets older I could help the child learn to manage the disease and deal with the stigma that comes with it, eventually allowing him/her to become a happy and well rounded member of society.
If I was able to, yes. I would do it in a heartbeat. There is no justifiable reason for a child to be held accountable for the poor choices their parents made if that was the reason. A child needs to have unconditional love and acceptance regardless regardless of the circumstances. It’s a shame that so many children are in foster care or are wards of the court, and if I was able to provide love and a stable home for child, I certainly would. I have to give a shout out to those who are adopting and caring for… Read more »
I agree Brian, when I sas this on the news I immediately post it on my personal FB and wrote “some humans are beyond exceptional” and I really mean it.
I agree 100% Brian as well!!!
Are you all crazy? No, non and nyet. That’s a job for professionals, and all this touchy feely stuff doesn’t change that fact
yes it baby boy.or girl u gay so yes
Children suck and as a gay man I’m glad I relish the fact I won’t ever have a squawk box to drive me crazy.
Doesn’t matter if they have HIV or not – hard no!
Well, at least we know you haven’t left any progeny thank goodness. What makes bitter ole queens?
Maybe you should look in the mirror.
When I look in the mirror I see a man who is happy in life and not some bitter ole queen, you?
I would. The child didn’t ask to be born the a disease or any other disability. With the advances in HIV treatment, the child will live a long a hopefully full life given the love and guidance every child needs.
No.
Im disappointed in who ever wrote this article and using the term “infected” in 2019! to truly end HIV we have to end the stigma, the correct term is “living with HIV” or (LWHIV). A4A needs to train their employees on social awareness. LANGUAGE MATTERS!
I’ve lived with HIV for 10 years. I was infected with HIV. I didn’t wake up one morning and decide “I want to live with HIV.” It’s an infection, not something I want to live with. The only stigma is ignorance. I’ve never even heard of LWHIV. Who the hell even comes up with this shit? I don’t live with it because I want to, I live with it because no one has found the cure to get rid of it. To live with it means you accept it as a part of your life. I don’t want to accept… Read more »
some what odd story. PrEP is helping people live longer? ok. and babies with hiv, not many this days
As a person who has lived with HIV for the last 10 years, I would have no problem adopting a child born with HIV. It’s not as difficult as people want to believe, and these children need just as much love and a family environment as much as a child who is negative. Why not?