Blackburn HIV woman targeted by yobs (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn HIV woman targeted by yobs

10:47am Thursday 8th September 2011 in Blackburn Exclusive By Neil Docking , Reporter

DEFIANT Adrienne won’t give in

A WOMAN with HIV has said she will not be bullied by yobs after her home was targeted by vandals.

HIV and AIDS awareness campaigner, Adrienne Seed, 61, from Blackburn, said she and her family have also endured personal abuse because of her condition.

She said: “My son had horrible, bullying texts sent to him saying 'your mum has HIV and AIDS'.

"Then I had eggs and ice cream thrown at my car and my house.

“It was horrible. It was during the day and there were lots of eggs.

“It really upset me and I was crying all day, because of how it affected him more than anything else.

She said she had not reported the incidents to the police and said she wanted to ‘remain strong’ in the face of intimidation.

“I chose not to contact the police because I didn’t want to make matters worse for my son," she said.

“I’m so mad about it. But I won’t give in. If nobody speaks up the stigma will never ever change.”

Adrienne was diagnosed with the disease 10 years ago.

The mum-of-one became infected after a former partner gave her the virus.

She nearly died in hospital before it was discovered that she had HIV.

After she recovered, she decided to give up her anonymity to champion the rights of other HIV positive people.

As chairman of East Lancashire’s HIV and AIDS support network, Thrivine, she helps other people who are living with or have been affected by the disease, in an attempt to bring an end to the social stigma and misunderstanding surrounding the illness.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said he was shocked by the incident.

He said: “I don’t expect this sort of thing in this day and age.

"It’s the first time I’ve heard of harassment of this kind for a very long time.

"I hope she contacts the police.”

Last week, a House of Lords committee said efforts to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS in the UK were “woefully inadequate”.

To find out more about HIV and AIDS and the support Thrivine provides in East Lancashire visit the website www.thrivine.org or call 01254 56557.