- November 18, 2024
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Jack Garcia, 49, looked into the camera and shared his story as a reminder to the public that those infected with HIV and affected by HIV are in the fight together.
Garcia, of Palm Coast, is one of the Florida residents participating in the Florida Department of Health’s Faces of HIV project.
Through captivating portraits, interviews and poignant journal writing, the Faces of HIV project examines the effects of stigmas, the personal relationships and care issues associated with being HIV-positive.
“What keeps me going is I’m here for a reason and I’m not dead, so I need to keep living, helping and being part of society,” Garcia said in his video segment for the project. “Make people realize that just because you’re HIV positive it doesn’t mean that you are a thorn in the world.”
Participants of the project address how they became infected with HIV and first dealt with their diagnoses, as well as their personal relationships and effects of HIV on the body.
To expand the impact of the project, a mobile art exhibit has been traveling throughout the state and will make a stop Saturday, May 24, at the Blue Crab Festival, in Palatka.
The exhibit gives visitors an up close and personal glimpse into the lives of those living with HIV in hopes of promoting awareness and understanding about the disease.
“I want to assist the community in knowing that you can be infected or affected by this disease and we should help each other, be good to each other, and be a shoulder for each other,” Garcia said.
Garcia not only filmed his interview in English, but he also participate in the Spanish language version of the project. He said that by being a participant, he has realized that all those involved in the project have a common goal to make everyone aware and responsible for their actions, to get tested and to protect themselves.
In addition to video interviews and portraits, another part of the project is journaling by the HIV-positive participant, which gives a more personal look into their lives. While talking about his journaling experience on camera, Ormond Beach resident Jeff Allen paused to compose himself and reel in his emotions.
“Why me,” he said. “Not why me do I have the disease, why me was I spared. I've seen so many beautiful, gifted individuals that had so much to offer and their light went out so quickly. Here I am able to write into this wonderful journal, and feel these emotions, and work through them, and so many aren’t.”
At the mobile art exhibit, visitors are invited to bring their smartphone with a QR code reader to view videos and journal entries at the exhibit.
“People are still not educating themselves,” Garcia said.
He is hoping that by becoming a Face of HIV, his story will help show people that complacency is not the way to go and how important education is.
IF YOU GO
What: Faces of HIV mobile art exhibit
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 24
Where: Blue Crab Festival, 210 St. Johns Ave., Palatka
