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Unfortunately for Christine, her life has still more challenges ahead. You see, she once tested positive for HIV, then negative, then positive, then negative. Now, she's pregnant, which she says, "defies conventional HIV wisdom and daring to exercise my rights as a human begin to have offspring." No prenatal facility would take Christine in. "After a month of humiliating and disappointing experiences, " says Christine, "I found and open-minded midwife. Plus, anyone could report me to the health department as an 'unfit' mother for not taking AZT [which Christine feels is unhealthy]."The risk for Christine and many mothers in similar situation across the country that deny taking AZT or other anti-HIV medication is that the state can take their kids away at birth to give them AZT against mothers' orders. For Christine, if that happens, at least she's got the support of CNN (among others) who said they'd follow up on anybody harassing her. For more information on HEAL or to get a copy of Christine's book, check out: www.epcnet.com/heal; 11684 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604; 24-hour hotline: (213) 896-8260.--K.G.
illustration: mark reusch |