Last Updated on July 29, 2021 by Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
The STI Project Was Asked To Interview on a Radio Station!
Full Show which includes an interview with Senior Science Correspondent from HuffPost – Cara Santa Maria!!! (She’s lovely):
Just my segment of the show – an hour and some change in length:
Can you believe it?!?!! I can’t either. Albeit, I’m thankful and completely and entirely geeked for this opportunity as it means our mission is reaching a larger populace and we are further working toward eradicating the stigma!!!
YES! Go us!
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On Tuesday, I went to WPRR’s studio to record an hour long interview with Reality Check host, David Fletcher. We met two weeks prior at West Michigan’s Pride Fest and he offered to have me on his show, which, of course, I accepted with enthusiasm.
This was especially exciting, because I’m personally a huge fan of public radio and the WPRR station and its programming – it’s progressive and open-minded, something not always easily found in the area I was raised. This was a welcomed delight, as you can imagine!
Surprisingly, I walked away thinking about all of the things I forgot to talk about and the interview was an entire hour long as it was…
Lately, everything coming out of my mouth is STI/STDs (how’s that for an odd mental picture!?), and Tuesday was none different.
Overall, I think the interview went swimmingly – as my own worst critic, I would kick some of my vocab out of the window, but largely, the message was consistent and was what I had hoped to convey.
WPRR – Public Reality Radio is a non-profit, listener supported radio station dedicated to providing quality educational programming to the public. In addition to locally produced shows and the best of progressive radio, WPRR showcases podcasts from around the world.
Reality Check covers a variety of topics from human rights to science and religion, from a progressive and skeptical viewpoint and is hosted by always interesting and engaging, David Fletcher.
Sally Lynn --- Jenelle Maries' Mom
I just finished listening to Jenelle’s interview with Dave Fletcher on WPRR’s Public Reality Radio. It is interesting to hear one of your children talk about a subject so candidly and knowledgeably, in a conservative city where the topic of STD’s is quite often considered a tabu in normal conversation.
Because most of you do not know Jenelle personally, you may not totally understand the personal condemnation she has endured by some friends, and relatives, when she admitted she had an STD. I am sure that many of you reading this have also felt this kind of condemnation and shame. As a Christian who believes in a loving God, a God that loves every living thing and every one of his creations equally, my heart goes out to you. For I believe God feels your pain, and cries a tear each time you are mistreated due to others insensitivity, and worst of all due to their ignorance!
This is the first comment I have made since my daughter launched her new website. It has taken a “Hell of a lot of guts” for her to publish her story and post her portrait for all the world to see. I am ashamed to say that I don’t think I could have done it if it were me. But what you don’t know about Jenelle personally, is that she really has done this for you. She’s full of life, and believes in this cause and will do anything to help you fight the stigma, and worst of all the ignorance of it.
Education is the key to understanding, and it only takes a stone to move a mountain!
You are that stone! Be proud of who you are, because God sure is!!
Jenelle, Dad and I are sure proud of you!
To all who read this, keep your chin held high, and know that for each one who shames you there are ten that will hold you high!
Jenelle Marie
Thank you for this beautiful message, Mom. I love you.
Anna
Sally Lynn, I think anyone who has an STD needs a family member like you. I haven’t told anyone in my family because I’m afraid it will change how they feel and act toward me. It is comforting to read your words of support, unconditional love, and encouragement.
Sally Lynn --- Jenelle Maries' Mom
Dearest Anna, One more note. You stated in one of your replys that you have not told any of your family members because you’re afraid of what their reactions might be. You also said that you do believe in God. If you have living parents and decide to tell either of them, or both, I am offering this suggestion. Ask God to show you the right time to do this and that one or both will except your information with an open heart. I have already said this prayer for you today but it is more important that you ask it.
Since I don’t know your family background, be prepared for a negative as well as a positive reaction, but either way, don’t let it bring you down.
One or both parents may cry. If they do, don’t evaluate this as a sign that they think you’re dirty. I know as a parent that dearly loves my children, their pain is mine and I would do anything I could to reverse it to myself, if that were possible. Therefore there may be tears.
If the reaction is negative in any way, let it be for a while and give them time to digest it. If your family members love you, God will open their hearts. And if you have asked God for the right time to share this with them, and you sense that the time is right, then whether the reaction is negative or positive, you will know in your heart that it really was the time to share it, and the healing will begin.
Go with God, Anna. You have my best!
Sally Lynn
Anna
Thank you for the advice. Giving it over to God is a hard thing for me to do, but when I can truly do it I’m never disappointed. My past experiences with revealing less-than-stellar news about myself to my parents has not gone over well. I think what I need to deal with is being ok with people not being ok with me. I’ve been trying the last couple years to re-build my foundation on God and not on man, and it is hard! It’s made me realize how much of my self-worth is tied up in how others perceive me. Thank you again for caring and sharing your words of acceptance. I’ve been more hopeful the last few days than I have in a while.
Jenelle Marie
For those interested in reading the original conversation which began as part of the comments to an STD Interview, see this link – https://thestiproject.com/living-with-herpes-an-std-interview-genital-herpes/
For future readers, it’s important I point out that The STI Project welcomes all faiths/religions/spiritual identities and is not partial to Christianity or Western religions.
As the admin, I do not strictly identify with my mother’s faith and it’s important all of my readers know your beliefs and thoughts are welcomed and not judged based on your spiritual journeys. 🙂