7 Stories That Make You Proud to Be a Runner

Amazing stories involving running surface by the hundreds every year. (Flip through any issue of Runner's World and you'll see what we mean.) From young to old, elite athlete to newbie, the running community continues to show it not only hits the road each day to stay healthy or PR a race, but also to help others and inspire.

Here's a look at some recent stories that will motivate you to continue to lace up your running shoes each day, and possibly find a great cause of your own.

Hogwarts Running Club Fundraises for Charity

This group certainly runs like "You Know Who" is chasing them. In March of 2014, the Hogwarts Running Club was officially launched by Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Biggs, 39, who admits to great fandom of the Harry Potter series. He's built a Facebook-based community of runners who hold virtual races at a variety of distances. (Often distances include sorcery-themed lengths, like the Department of Mysteries 6.2442, which spells out "MAGIC" if you type it on the phone.) In 2015, this online community has raised money for various charities, including some focused on cancer research, military pet foster care, and cystic fibrosis. More

4-Year-Old Girl Learns to Run on Prosthetic Legs

Ellie Todd knew exactly what to do when she put on her first set of prosthetic running blades. The 4-year-old, who was born with a genetic condition that kept her tibia bones from forming, ran straight to her mother, Miranda Todd. Miranda Todd was instrumental in helping her "always on the move" child acquire her new set of prosthetics. A Facebook group called Momastery donated $20,000 to offset the cost for Ellie's running blades after Miranda submitted an essay about her hero--Ellie--for the group's charity drive. Additional funds were later donated by the Hanger Clinic, which manufactures the prosthetics. All done to help this little girl run. More

11-Year-Old's Streak Raises $10,000 for Friend With Cancer

A 30-day running streak is a commitment at any age, but Ryan Tarapchak of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, ran for a month with more than miles on his mind. When Ryan heard that his friend's 6-year-old sister, Isabella O'Brien, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, he decided to run start a run streak along with a GoFundMe page for Isabella. To date, he's exceeded his initial goal by raising more than $13,000 to help with Isabella's treatments. "For an 11-year-old kid deciding to do something like this so selflessly for someone else, his parents should be very proud of him," Isabella's dad, Scott, said. More

Cross-Country Run Raises $100,000 for Racing Wheelchairs

The Evans family went coast-to-coast over the summer--at a pace of 50 miles a day for 60 days. Shaun Evans and his 9-year-old son, Shamus, who has cerebral palsy, ran with the rest of his family as they followed along in an RV. Because Shamus cannot run on his own due to his physical limitations, his father pushed him in a racing chair. From Seattle to New York, the family raised more than $100,000 so other children like Shamus could experience the feeling of running. Along the way, they donated 25 running chairs to families in need. "It's a little bittersweet it's ending," Shaun told Runner's World near the end of the trip. "It's been such a great summer." More

Halls Adopt Four Ethiopian Sisters

The elite running couple, Ryan and Sara Hall, made a big announcement that had nothing to do with their racing plans. The couple recently announced their adoption of four Ethiopian sisters--Ana, Mia, Jasmine, and Lily. This is not the first time the couple has lent a helping hand. Aside from running marathons in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston, the couple still finds time to help build hospitals in Kenya and fund health clinics in Mozambique. Their Hall Steps Foundation allows them to be active in these Africa charitable projects. More

Runner Equips His Teammates With New Running Shoes

Although high school senior Stefan Pressley longed for a car, he spent two-thirds of his summer job earnings on something more rewarding. Pressley spent $540 on running shoes for his cross-country teammates who needed them. "My team is my family, and I want them to have the best season," he said. Fortunately, Pressley's teammates aren't the only ones aware of their captain's act of kindness. Two car dealerships have written checks to pay Pressley back for the shoes. Pressley said having a car would allow him to drive to cross country practice and give his teammates rides. He just has to pass his driving test first. More

50 Ironmans, 50 States, 50 Days

James Lawrence definitely took his body to the limit for a good cause. The 39-year-old triathlon coach and personal trainer set out this summer to complete 50 Ironman-distance events in 50 states in 50 consecutive days. He completed his quest in July, raising $70,000 for the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation. Along the way, Lawrence's wife and four children traveled with him in a motor home. His 12-year-old daughter, Lucy, ran 50 consecutive 5Ks with her dad to make the trip even more memorable. "She's setting an example for the next generation," he said. More

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The Truth About Governor Christie's Weight

On September 22, news broke that governor and U.S. presidential candidate Chris Christie had given General Michael Cunniff, the leader of New Jersey's 9,000+ national guardsmen, a weighty ultimatum. The general had 90 days to slim down -- or he would face dismissal.

As it turns out, General Cunniff did not meet the military's basic combat-readiness criteria, and the governor was the one who had to issue the command.

In response, Cunniff said: "Many people struggle with weight control -- I am not immune from this."

The irony, of course, is that Governor Christie himself has had his own share of weight struggles. In fact, in 2013, the governor had surgery -- known as a gastric band procedure -- to close off a section of his stomach. At the time, experts believed he weighed in at more than 400 pounds.

Many people pointed the obvious finger at Governor Christie, accusing him of hypocrisy.

But I think these people missed the whole point.

Whatever you think of their politics or positions, there is no doubt that both Governor Christie and General Cunniff are smart, motivated, successful men.

And therein lies the powerful enigma of obesity.

More than two-thirds of all Americans are overweight. And right now, more than 108 million Americans are on a diet. The average dieter makes four or five attempts each year. And less than one percent of these attempts actually result in long-term weight loss.

We hear these statistics all the time, but I think we've become numb to what they're actually telling us. Is there any other sphere of endeavor where so many people try so hard with so little success? What would we think if fewer than 1 percent of people who enrolled in college ever graduated, while the other 99 percent spent billions dropping out and re-enrolling four or five times each year?

Many of life's problems can be solved by an onslaught of intelligence, ambition, motivation, and perseverance. But for the vast majority of people, that just isn't true for weight. So clearly our approach and commonsense understanding are flawed.

The fact is that, for most people, lasting weight loss takes a lot more than willpower or desire. According to recent research, it takes a fresh understanding of how the brain interacts with food.

Dr. Susan Peirce Thompson is a tenured psychology professor with a Ph.D. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences. For 16 years she struggled under a torturous relationship with food. She dieted again and again, only to watch her weight balloon back up. She was clinically depressed, and, in her darkest hours, would lie in the fetal position and weep for a solution.

Finally in 2003, Dr. Thompson's cognitive studies put her in the path of the answers she'd been seeking. She shrank from obese to slender in six months and today she's among the top .01 percent of successful weight loss maintainers.

Now Dr. Thompson has created a program called Bright Line Eating to share what she's learned about how the brain blocks weight loss and so far the results are promising. She reports that for the first 1,000 graduates, her program was three times more effective and seven times faster than Weight Watchers.

I asked Dr. Thompson if she had any insight into why Governor Christie and General Cunniff might be struggling to lose weight, despite intense scrutiny from the public and the threat to the viability of their future careers, not to mention their health.

She had this to say:

I don't know them, of course, but my guess is that they're both really high on the Susceptibility Scale. That's the scale that measures how susceptible someone is to the addictive properties of refined foods. They're not alone. Research shows that one-third of people are high on the Susceptibility Scale. It makes it nearly impossible to lose weight unless you understand what you're up against. If you're low on the Susceptibility Scale, indulging in a craving makes it go away. But if you're highly susceptible, indulging just makes the craving stronger.

In evolutionary terms, Dr. Thompson explained to me, being highly susceptible was a good thing. But today we're surrounded by cues to eat foods that have been refined to affect our brains exactly the same way as drugs do. We have a food industry that spends tens of billions of dollars every year marketing highly processed, highly sweetened, and highly addictive foods. In this context, being susceptible is seriously dangerous.

We live in a society that, all-too-often, blames overweight people for their suffering -- as if they lacked willpower. But, according to Dr. Thompson, the problem isn't at all a deficiency of willpower. The problem is that some of us are highly susceptible to food addiction -- and have no roadmap to conquer it.

Fortunately, there are answers that can help. And Dr. Susan Peirce Thompson has developed something that appears like it could provide tremendous help to a lot of people.

Perhaps even Governor Christie and General Cunniff.

To find out how you score on Dr. Thompson's Susceptibility Scale, take her free quiz here.

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This Is How Laughter Really Affects Your Body

You already know that laughing does wonders for you. You’ve felt it brighten your day, calm your mind and lift your mood to whole new heights, all thanks to an inside joke in the office, a hilarious comment from a kid, or a totally spontaneous mishap that makes you (and everyone around you) burst into peals of laughter. The kick it gives your mental health and emotions is awesome, but there’s something else we bet you haven’t considered yet: laughter’s physical benefits.

In the spirit of celebrating moments that make you laugh like you mean it, we’ve teamed up with Always® Discreet to look at all the ways your giggles, snorts and roars of laughter affect your body. Spoiler alert: It’s good for you, from your head to your toes. So laugh it up!


Image: HuffPost Partner Studio

Always® Discreet believes that you should never miss a chance to laugh, and you should never let a sensitive bladder stop you from enjoying life’s side-splitting moments. That’s why they’ve created Always® Discreet for Sensitive Bladders - a collection of liners, pads and underwear so you’ll never be held back by leaks. So go ahead, laugh like you mean it! See more from Always® Discreet at Purple Clover.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

What is Sciatic Nerve Pain

A large percentage of people with sciatica are eventually able to lead healthy, happy, pain-free lives.Sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain as well as tingling, numbness or weakness that usually willoriginate in the lower back and moves through the buttock and down the sciatic nerve behind the leg.

http://funnysupernaturalcaptions.tumblr.com/post/129874154709/how-to-properly-take-care-of-sciatica

What is Sciatic Nerve Pain

Many people with sciatica are eventually able to lead happy, healthy, pain-free lives.The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly numbness, weakness and tingling that usually willoriginate in the lower back and travel through the buttock and down the sciatic nerve behind the leg.

http://wolfram-alpha.tumblr.com/post/129874158419/how-to-effectively-deal-with-sciatic-nerve-pain

The 'Fat and Fabulous' Farce

There are terms tossed about in the media recently: "fat acceptance," "fat and fabulous," "fat-shaming." I am a woman of size. Fat. I don't follow up that word with a sparkly adjective because it isn't warranted. Why? Firstly, "fat" is a word offensive only to the people who decide it is offensive, which I don't. I find it merely descriptive. Secondly, "fat shaming" is a recent social construct/concept to which I don't subscribe.

Shame only works on a willing recipient.

I don't need anyone's approval to be who I am and look the way I look. No one does. I'm not being snarky by saying that-- we just don't need it, though it is nice to have. In its absence, I don't personally walk about bemoaning my body mass index, nor how I am received because of it, nor am I heralding my size as a moving part of my proposed fabulosity. I have other things on my mind. At least, I do until I am reminded by a fellow plus-sizer that I should redirect my attention to making society more tolerable of my fat.

If there are opportunities in life that I have missed based on some nefarious, behind-the-scenes fat bias, I am happy to miss them. There are plenty of others in spaces and places where I'd likely better belong if my dress size counts me out.

The spotlight is often placed on the same people of size who inadvertently helped plug the spotlight in. They spend as much time taking a stand for "fat acceptance" as their healthier counterparts do in the gym. The subject continues to abound with every support group, blog, article and reality show lauding "fat and fabulousness"; magazines with near-naked women flaunting their curves as a big "F-YOU" to their purported haters. Those women are all beautiful, but isn't the energy wasted? Who is the target audience? Why does anyone care?

Here's where I am really going to tell you the truth. Someone on the team has to.

There are some average-weighters who have concerns that may be worth a listen. A lady in coach may find the duration of a flight challenging when my thigh spread creeps over to her side of the seating. A fellow employee may be concerned when your fifth trip to the cardiologist drives his healthcare premiums up. These seem like valid concerns. Plus-sized folks are conditioned to avoid these topics, and any conversation related to their own wellness.

Not everyone who is fat suffers from diabetes, heart and blood pressure problems. I don't. But I will without a change. A high BMI indisputably causes medical melee on a body. In spite of what we hear repeatedly by naysayers, if you are obese, you are not healthy.

Another zinger: Most of us in the fat-body club are here because we choose to be here. We don't make good food choices; we don't move our bodies the way we could. The majority of us make excuses to the tune of: "I have tried every diet... They don't work!" and "I have a thyroid problem." Some have issues that cause weight gain, for sure. Disabilities and medications can significantly cause the pounds to quickly pile on, like prescribed corticosteroids and antidepressants. Even then, though, weight gain can be effectively managed with life adjustments. The majority of us don't suffer from those, if we are being honest, or didn't, until our bodies buckled under the proverbial weight.

A person who educates himself in the science of nutrition, who eats whole (unprocessed, unrefined) foods consistently and proportionately, with regular cardio/fat-burning exercise, is not likely going to be or remain fat. It is conceptually that simple. I know all of this. I know what I'm supposed to be doing. I am not currently doing it. I chose this for now, so this is where I am.

I recently watched a girl on a new reality show (based on her size) exuberantly espouse her love for her "fat and fabulous" body and its position in her life. Two scenes and 10 minutes later, she was sobbing, suffering because of her weight in dating, fashion, strangers' comments, and her parents' wishes for her to become healthy. Funny, isn't it, how we can turn genuine concern and love into "you don't accept me"? They do accept us, so much that they want to keep us alive longer, not bawling in front of a T.V. camera on a show centered on the least interesting part of ourselves like that girl who spends her life trying to persuade everyone that she is fat and fabulous. She's the one who seems to need to believe it, not everyone else.

She is not fabulous because she is fat. Neither am I. Neither are you.

You are fabulous because you're an amazing mother or friend. You're the guy who made someone giggle, or who shared his last dollar. You're fabulous for being that third grade teacher a student will remember as the most impactful when she is 35, who may even try to visit you in your retirement home years. You're fabulous because you're silly and fun, or reflective and wise. You're fabulous because you rocked those 5" sequined stripper heels on a night out with the girls. You're fabulous because you're 50, but your spirit is 19.

If you're not a total schmuck, you're fabulous because you're you. You have elements that truly embody (no pun intended) your unique spirit.

"Fat-shaming" is a media trend on an annoying upswing, fueled by fat people who keep it alive like a stoked fire. This is not a crusade in which we should want to be included. We're losing the points we're trying to nail down under the guise of self-love and acceptance. The world can't give that to us. We take that for our ourselves. When we do, the right ones will follow along.

THAT'S what's fabulous.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

What is Sciatic Nerve Pain

Many people with sciatic nerve pain are eventually able to lead healthy, happy, pain-free lives.Sciatica describes the leg pain symptoms as well as tingling, numbness or weakness that typically willoriginate in the lower back and travels through the buttock region and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg.

https://treatmentsforsciaticanervepain.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/how-to-effectively-deal-with-back-pain/

How To Tell Sciatic Nerve Pain

Many people with lower back pain are eventually able to lead happy, healthy, pain-free lives.Sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain as well as weakness, tingling or numbness that usually willoriginate in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the sciatic nerve behind the leg.

https://herniateddisknervepaintreatments.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/how-to-effectively-take-care-of-back-pain/

What is Sciatic Nerve Pain

A large percentage of people with back pain are eventually able to lead happy, healthy, pain-free lives.The term sciatica describes the leg pain symptoms and possibly weakness, tingling or numbness that willoriginate in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg.

http://girlpushedtothebrink.tumblr.com/post/129874139836/how-to-properly-take-care-of-sciatica

What is Sciatic Nerve Pain

Many people with sciatica are eventually able to lead happy, pain-free, healthy lives.Sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain as well as numbness, weakness and tingling that typically willoriginate in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg.

https://physicaltherapytreatmentsforsciaticanervepain.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/how-to-effectively-take-care-of-back-pain/

Hey Exercise: Why You Gotta Be That Way?

So yeah, exercise, amirite? Why is it such a jerk to us? The whole idea seems counter-intuitive. In fact, I dare say it practically goes against Darwin's well-tested evolutionary theory. Our bodies somehow get better when we subject them to prolonged periods of negativity? Whaaa?

We're talking muscle tears (needed to make them grow larger), profuse sweating, potential dehydration, spiked heart rate, and even shortness of breath. On their own, any one of these sounds like a symptom of some particularly lethal medical condition.

Yet there's a mathematical formula at work here: two negatives make a positive. As do four negatives. And six. And eight. It seems the more nasty physical crap you throw at your body (within reason, of course), the better the results. Cosmic joke? That's for you to decide. But clearly our physical beings are gluttons for all sorts of punishment.

The benefits of physical activity are very well established: a stronger heart, better looking hair and skin (ironic, given all the g-darn sweating), improved mood and cognitive function (extra dopamine, serotonin -- all that good stuff). This isn't speculation, of course: you'll never meet a doctor or researcher who'll suggest otherwise.

So why is exercise such a chore? It's because the benefits of sitting around doing nothing are also very well established: Netflix binges, hammock time, backyard BBQs, World of Warcraft -- the list is practically endless. Admittedly, none of these benefits are health-related. But man, they sure make us happy, and happiness is one of life's most endearing benefits, no?

So there's a real disconnect at play here: that which makes us immediately happy (the naps and video games) versus that which makes us happy in the long term (a finely-tuned mind and body). If you're like much of society, the 'immediate' option tends to win out, because -- at the risk of getting overly scientific here - it's wicked cool when we can feel good right away.

Yes, immediate gratification: the enabler of the id, the scorn of the superego. (I skimmed through a book on Freud one time.) It's the giant wall erected between us and our fitness goals. Sure, we can try to scale it, but wall-climbing is hard work, and hard work and immediate gratification don't mix. That's more or less a Catch-22, right? (I can't claim to have ever skimmed that book.)

The moral here? It seems that for any exercise regimen to 'take,' our outlook needs a hearty shift. We have to begin viewing happiness as a long-term prospect, and not something desperately needed right this second.

No easy feat, but here's the good news: there's zero heavy lifting involved in adjusting our attitudes. So hey, that's something, right?

Kinda inspired myself just now. After this House of Cards marathon is over, I'm totally gonna look into taking some action.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Top 10 Foods for a Better Mood

The food we eat can be an excellent source of vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. Growing research supports that the quality of our food is not only important to our physical health but also for our mood and can influence depression and anxiety.

Our Westernized so-called "cafeteria" diet unfortunately is calorie-loaded, nutrient-poor, and highly processed, leaving us with extra calories without real nutrition. Animal studies have found that a diet high in fat, sugar and processed foods leads to higher rates of anxiety and depression.

Foods that are high in sugar, fat, and sodium are also very addictive and particularly comforting. In fact, evolution has probably set us up this way. Researchers have even found that high-fat, high-sugar foods or "comfort foods" temporarily improve mood and relieve anxiety and depression but then create a cycle of self-medication with non-nutritious foods.

In contrast, a Mediterranean diet high in fish, olive oil, nuts, and whole grains has been linked to lower rates of depression. One study found that people who followed a Mediterranean diet for 4 years reduced their risk of depression by 40-60 percent. Another study found that using a diet rich in green leafy vegetables and berries called "MIND" (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay)-- a hybrid of a Mediterranean diet and a diet for people with high blood pressure-- was linked to lower rates of Alzheimer's disease.

Want to boost your mood with food?

Try these top 10 "brain-healthy" foods:

1. Leafy greens. Leafy greens like kale and bok choy contain folate, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K. Folate has been used as a supplement to improve depression. Leafy greens also contain compounds that help the liver process toxins better.

Try my partner Doug's Green Power smoothie recipe if you prefer to drink your leafy greens and berries. For 2 servings, blend together until smooth and uniform:

• 2 cups of Tuscan kale


• 1 cup baby spinach


• 2 small frozen bananas


• 0.5 cup blueberries


• 2 cups of soy/almond/hemp milk


• 0.5 teaspoon honey (optional)


• 1.5 tablespoons chunky almond butter (optional)

View image | gettyimages.com

2. Mussels, Oysters. Oysters and shellfish have high content of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is important for neurotransmitters in the brain and nerves, and a deficiency can lead to depression and anxiety. Vitamin B12 supplementation has been found to improve depression. If you are vegan or vegetarian, you want to ensure you're getting enough vitamin B12 because it's mainly is found in meat, dairy, and eggs. It's important to find alternative sources of vitamin B12.

View image | gettyimages.com

3. Fish and Fish Oil. Studies have found that high fish consumption reduces depression. This may in part be due to the fact that fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, an effective supplement to treatment for depression. For omega-3 fatty acid supplements, most studies for mood use 1 to 2 grams daily, and there should be more eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) than docosahexanoic acid (DHA) when you look at the label.

In order to avoid mercury exposure found in fish, pregnant women should be careful regarding how much and types of fish they eat. The The Food and Drug Administration recommends that pregnant women avoid: 1) tilefish, 2) shark, 3) swordfish, and 4) king mackerel. Pregnant women can, however, eat up to 12 ounces of other types of fish per week.

View image | gettyimages.com

4. Walnuts, Almonds, Hazelnuts. Nuts are a good source of Vitamin E. You can have them raw or unsalted. One study found that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with 30 grams of mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts) daily led to less depression.

View image | gettyimages.com

5. Blueberries and other berries. Berries, especially blueberries, have been found to protect the brain. In one study, eating two servings of blueberries a week was linked to a reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 35%.

View image | gettyimages.com

6. Lentils, chickpeas, beans. Legumes like lentils and chickpeas contain high levels of folate and zinc, both of which have been used as effective supplements for treating depression. Beans like black eyed peas also contain high levels of folate.

Getting enough zinc is particularly important for vegetarians and vegans since the absorption of zinc can be reduced by 50 percent from phytates, which are found in plants.

View image | gettyimages.com

7. Dark Chocolate, raw cacao powder or nibs. Dark chocolate and raw cacao (powder from unroasted cocoa beans) contains cocoa polyphenols, a type of antioxidant found in plants, has been found to improve calmness and contentedness in a study where people received dark chocolate drink mix. Raw cacao nibs and powder do not contain added sugars and can be used in smoothies. Cocoa and raw cacao powder can contain toxic heavy metals, depending on the brand, so check with sites like Consumer Labs.

My personal favorite dessert substitute is this satisfying raw cacao smoothie, made by blending:

• 1 frozen banana


• 2 tablespoons of raw cacao powder


• 6-8 dried dates

3 cups of water (or almond milk, soymilk, or hemp milk)

1 teaspoon of Dulse flakes

• 0.5 teaspoon of turmeric powder (optional)

You can also add a half cup of blueberries, kale, or spinach to pack more nutrients.

View image | gettyimages.com

8. Pumpkin seeds. A quarter cup of pumpkin seeds contains almost half the daily recommended dose for magnesium, an essential mineral to protect you from depression and anxiety. Pumpkin seeds also contain zinc, plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, and tryptophan, which help promotes sleep.

View image | gettyimages.com

9. Fermented Foods and Probiotics. Scientific research is shedding light on the important link between the bacteria in the gut (your so-called "second brain") and your mood. Fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut contain probiotics and have been found to reduce social anxiety. Fermented foods and probiotics can also help with depression and anxiety. Mice who were on probiotics behaved like they had taken Prozac. Probiotic powder supplements have also been shown to reduce negative thoughts during sad moods.

View image | gettyimages.com

10. Turmeric. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, an anti-inflammatory compound that has been found to help antidepressants be more effective in treating depression depression. You can drink it in tea or add it to your everyday dishes like chili or pasta sauce.

View image | gettyimages.com

Connect with me www.marlynnweimd.com or on Facebook / Twitter

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Inside The School Where Children With HIV Find Refuge From Discrimination In China

Kun Kun, a young boy living with HIV, was banished from his village in China last year by residents who described him as a "ticking time bomb." The case drew international attention to the severe discrimination faced by children with HIV in China.

Kun Kun has since found a new home, at the Green Harbor Red-Ribbon School in Linfen, China. The boarding school is a rare refuge for HIV-positive children in China, where infection rates are relatively low, but social stigma is high.

The school is the subject of an ambitious documentary project called "Children of the Harbor," which is following the students' passage through the boarding school until the first class graduates in 2017.

The project was conceived by Bryan Anker, a 27-year-old medical student originally from Los Angeles, who lived at the Green Harbor school in 2012 during an internship at the affiliated hospital.  

"It broke my heart to learn that these children had been shunned by society all of their lives," Anker told The WorldPost by email. "The level of awareness these children possess is mind-boggling. They fully comprehend their current situation and are well aware of how society perceives them."

Anker and his small team of filmmakers, including Myanmar-based photographer, journalist and cinematographer Ann Wang, started to document the students' lives in December and plan to follow their stories through graduation. "We want to film up to this point and see what road the students take after graduation. Will they go to university? Will they return home? Will they find a job?" Anker said.

"These children are smart and resilient, and some of them have thought up intricate plans for escaping the HIV stigma in China," he told The WorldPost. 

The school was set up in 2006, and is home to around 30 children and teenagers with HIV, ranging in age from 6 years old to 19.  The students have "very complicated feelings ... about themselves, about the school and about the disease they’ve been carrying since birth," Wang told The WorldPost by email.

Many of them are the children of patients being treated for HIV/AIDS at the affiliated Linfen Infectious Disease Hospital; others have been orphaned by AIDS or thrown out of their schools and local communities due to stigma.

This is a pervasive problem for children with HIV in China. "If their HIV status has been disclosed, it’s very common that parents of other children complain to the school and force the school to separate their children from HIV positive children," Xu Wenqing, an HIV/AIDS specialist at UNICEF China, told The WorldPost by email. 

Nearly 10,000 children in China live with HIV/AIDS, among some 500,000 reported cases in the country. (Experts estimate the total number of cases, including those undiagnosed, may be around 800,000.) This is relatively low compared to countries like the U.S., which has a population a quarter of the size of China's, and an estimated 1.2 million HIV/AIDS cases among people 13 or older. 

Yet discrimination is widespread, and affects old and young alike in China. Advocates say people known to be HIV-positive are often barred from attending collge or refused public and private-sector jobs. The main problem is a lack of information about HIV/AIDS, including how it is transmitted and treated. Experts point to China's poor sexual health education and the ongoing repetition of myths about HIV by public officials. 

China's leaders have made a high-profile effort to combat this prejudice in recent years, as well as stepping up free treatment for AIDS patients and measures to prevent mothers from passing on HIV to their newborn children. In 2006, a new law banned discrimination against people living with HIV, although it has been difficult to enforce. On World AIDS Day last year, China's first lady Peng Liyuan released a music video with the students of Green Harbor-Red Ribbon School, urging an end to the stigma they face.

Anker hopes that telling the stories of the children at Green Harbor can convince more people to leave their prejudices behind.

"I believe the children’s stories are so poignant, and their personalities so radiant, that our viewers won’t have any choice but to empathize with their situation," he said. 

To learn more about the media project and support the documentary, go to the Children of the Harbor website.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.