Magic And The HIV-Positive Girl Who Changed Him 20 Years Ago

NewsOne.com:

When Magic Johnson announced to the world that he was infected with HIV in November of 1991, he instantly became the face of the virus. But not too long after he made his announcement, the world focused its eyes on another face: a sweet, 7-year-old girl who had a hard time dealing with her HIV-positive status.

Read the whole story at NewsOne.com

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Comments

[syncopation]

03:43 PM on 05/21/2012

Hey Topperfalls,
Let's get something straight. I believe in second chances all day long, as long as that is what is in the heart of the person looking for it. First of all, he had no choice but to tell the world because if he didn't, the NBA would have. We all know if something is to be said about you, to keep the damage to a minimum, you tell it yourself. Second, just after he told the world, I watched him recieve a 10 minute standing ovation on the Arsinio Hall show because of it, before he did any good as you would say.............Disgusting.

[thinklogical]

03:09 AM on 05/21/2012

Does anyone know if doctors have found medication to find the HIV strains in Washington DC? I do recall reading of several cases of HIV strains that has mutated and their was no treatment for? Anyone recall such?

[BloodGlutton]

09:32 AM on 05/21/2012

Hmmm... trying to figure out the angle on your comment. It ALMOST seems like you're trying to call him a thug. Magic, the very astute businessman who has made a fortune AFTER basketball and is by all accounts a decent guy. So what reason would you have for calling him a thug? I bet I can guess. I think the real reason is quite apparent to the eye.

Or maybe I've got you wrong and you're not calling him a thug. Maybe you're just connecting this story to Trayvon Martin in the most hamfisted manner possible. Neither angle particularly reflects well on you.

[gaellk]

12:08 AM on 05/21/2012

If I recall, Cookie married him after he revealed to her her was infected with the virus.

[n2mypony]

01:41 AM on 05/21/2012

wrong!they were already married when he made the announcement.

[n2mypony]

01:46 AM on 05/21/2012

Wrong! They were married in 1991...Magic made the hiv announcement in Nov 1991

[thinklogical]

03:08 AM on 05/21/2012

wrong, wrong, haha, and you do not specify a marriage date, just 1991, that 11 months unaccounted for, haha

[pozmatch]

08:57 PM on 05/20/2012

Magic Johnson saved so many lives. Mine included. Stigma was/is such an overwhelming issue. Way to go Magic! Matt: PozMatch.com

[topperfalls]

04:31 PM on 05/20/2012

some of you are so cruel judgmental and ignorant, its downright scary ... how many men cheat on their wives or girlfriends? and are forgiven? do you wish he was dead instead of healthy? educate yourself, be educated, and stop judging people, already! magic took a terrible mistake and has helped countless people since by raising money, awareness and being a good citizen, what have YOU done for your fellow man?

[Shanda Smalls]

08:30 PM on 05/20/2012

I don't wish death on anyone but sleeping with 100's of women none of whom are your wife isn't one terrible mistake. It 100% speaks to a person's character. Non-judging others, well in a perfect world would be easy. I don't think it's the judging that is so horrible but the condemning of others or non-objectivity to see a person outside of what you "think they are."

Magic has done tons of great things...I would hope no one disagrees with that.

I do wonder how much of his good deeds are driven out of guilt though...just wondering.

[Joseph 123]

09:20 PM on 05/20/2012

a good deed is a good deed...even if motivated by past mistakes! It shows the person is maturing.

[gunslinger012000]

08:35 PM on 05/20/2012

and you are just as judgmental yet look how you condemn everyone else for doing exactly what you just did. I bet you're a Christian huh? Oh don't worry, I know I'm judgmental, I admit to it, so should you.

[eriar76]

11:24 AM on 05/21/2012

don't bring up Christianity into this.

[joportja5]

02:50 PM on 05/20/2012

All his money bought his good health. Too bad everyone with AIDS can't get the same treatment. I don't like it when people who do bad things are condoned by the media. It's the wrong example to put in the news for our teenagers to see.

[n2mypony]

02:06 AM on 05/21/2012

Wrong! my brother was diagnosed hiv positive in 2009 and is receiving his meds through a state run program along with his medical insurance.He has gone from 137 pounds to 205. He works out 3 times a week and looks and feels great. He has not any side effects so far in the 3 years on his meds. He is geting the same treatment and having the same results!

[topperfalls]

04:35 PM on 05/20/2012

how is it bad to show that people can stay healthy and that modern medicine is actually coming up with workable treatments? honestly, are you kidding? safe sex messages are great and necessary, but you seem to prefer people like Magic to be dead, rather than a prodcutive member of society... shocking and backwards thinking to say the least...wake up!

[thinklogical]

05:41 PM on 05/20/2012

You are right, i recently watched a documentary called I Love being HIV+, its a 6 part series on BBC on Youtube now. Its a story about Bug Chasers. these people seek out people that re infected and get infected. This documentary mainly focused on the Gay Community, not sure if it exists in the Heterosexual communities. These young Naive young people they interviewed. They did not care about catching it, medication will help they think. Then they interviewed the older already infected, and PEOPLE, the side effects are something that will make you think twice. These side effects are horrible, try to be safe and protect yourself.

[jgamble28]

01:04 PM on 05/20/2012

He's the poster child of why cheating on your wife without using protection is a very bad idea. I'm sure his wife was badly hurt by this.

[LiBra99]

02:18 PM on 05/20/2012

Is she also infected?

[LeftRightCenter]

03:29 PM on 05/20/2012

no

[amcconn13]

03:45 PM on 05/20/2012

No, his wife is not infected..

[LeftRightCenter]

03:30 PM on 05/20/2012

she wasn't hurt bad enough to (ever) leave

[Shanda Smalls]

08:33 PM on 05/20/2012

What's the point...how many women don't leave their abusive husbands?

Still doesn't make it right.

[Joseph 123]

09:05 PM on 05/20/2012

Hmmmm wonder why.....$$$$$$$$

[TOMARIO]

12:29 PM on 05/20/2012

Hate it when you have to keep clicking to
get the friggen' story.

Tomario

[DEBRET]

10:30 AM on 05/20/2012

I remember watching on TV, Magic Johnson announcing that he was HIV-positive. I found it starnge that he said, "The HIV virus which I have "attained". "Attained"? No, he "Contracted" HIV from unprotected sex from someone other than his wife. Keep it real.

[thinklogical]

05:46 PM on 05/20/2012

Yes i remember, I believe he used the word " obtained ", but yes i see your point. Why not just tell the truth. You slept around on your wife and caught this virus. Children these days are riskier then people in the 90's. Growing up, we seen people dying, fear was driving people to be safe. I do think it is one thing to inform people that yes, you can take medication to keep you alive. But also, MAIN importantly that 1. the medication works differently in people. 2. The side effects of people on these medications is something that should not be played with.

[DEBRET]

11:39 PM on 05/20/2012

He definitely and clearly used the word "ATTAINED". I have seen that tape a number of times since then and no doubt, he said the word "attained". I agree with you that people can become reckless with their behavior if they have the wrong mindset that, "Oh well, if I get sick, I can just take a pill". You and I will always remember the onset of AIDS in the 1980s and I'm sure you know of (directly or indirectly) people who died from that horrible disease.

[n2mypony]

02:18 AM on 05/21/2012

Why do so many of you think he has cheated on his wife! You make the comments on the internet and don't even use the internet to find facts..ie when they were married,when he made the announcement..etc. Again-they were married in 1991 he made the announcement on Nov 7, 1991. The virus can be dormant for years.You may have it and not even know it ...Have you been tested?

[icey27]

01:35 AM on 05/21/2012

Yeah a man. It's terrible how these men have sex with men and then hide thier sexuality behind women.

[syncopation]

09:22 AM on 05/20/2012

Sorry................But making a lying, cheeting, unfaithfull husband the "FACE" is beyond me, thanks.................

[Kindred]

01:00 PM on 05/20/2012

Good point syncopation,its amazing how people idolize people who do wrong things,we give no credit to those who try to do the right thing.

[Shanda Smalls]

08:32 PM on 05/20/2012

Now the last point you brought up was so true. How many people get praise for just doing the right thing period. We (society...especially parents) have a tendency to give bad behavior attention and praise when the bad becomes good...we forget to praise the ones who made the right and difficult choices from the beginning.

[topperfalls]

04:41 PM on 05/20/2012

do people ever get forgiven, or a second chance, in your world? Im sure his wife forgave him long long ago, and now he's a wonderful example of doing good in the world, but of course that's besides the point, right?

[Joseph 123]

09:07 PM on 05/20/2012

Yeah right!.....$$$$$$$$$$$