Below are some of the responses we have received to the series.

1. Thanks for working on this series. It obviously takes a lot of compassion and empathy to be able to pull out this story from someone. It is so important that this kind of story is told so that people can look beyond their petty daily troubles and make an effort to think of those truly in need.

- C. A., Jamaica

2. Thanks for publicising this issue about stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. As a young epidemiologist and a public-health professional, this and many other stories like it, are very heart-rending for me. This form of discrimination and ignorance must come to an end. I understand that it is very difficult to change or influence a person's behaviour and perceptions, especially when they are heavily embedded in cultural norms. However, it is important to educate a population on issues, such as infectious diseases and their natural history.

I find it very hard to believe that with the advent and improvement in technology, people are still so uninformed about HIV/AIDS.

There is a lot more that can be done in making the lives of these individuals more bearable and it starts with the heads of government. This problem must be tackled as a community.

- T. R.,

Florida

3. I just cannot imagine what Gabrielle is going through. HIV/AIDS has no respect for anyone and we don't know when we could find ourselves in her shoes. She said something in one of the articles that I can't forget, "Sometimes mothers take breast feeding for granted and persons like me would love to breastfeed my child."

I am an expectant mother and I dream of the day to come when my baby will feed from my breasts. She says that she has no one to talk to and so on. I would like to be her friend, but it's all up to her.

- D. W.,

Jamaica

keisha.shakespeare@gleanerjm.com