Magic Each of us throughout our lives encounters or discovers a person who exhibits that he/she is an excellent person.

They are superior to those we consider normal people. They show that they above most and will bend over backwards if they must. They are the people who'll "take the bullet" or "give the shirt off their back" and will not bat an eye. During my eighteen years of life, I've met many people and heard many stories. Though many are great, I cannot praise many people more than Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who has shown that he is and will be an amazing person for years to come. In 1991, Magic found out that he had gotten the human immune deficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. People thought that his life was over and he would become ostracized by society, but he keeps fighting and has had a very large impact on the lives of others. AIDS is defined as, Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It was first recognized in the United States in 1981. AIDS is the advanced form of infection with the HIV virus, which may not cause disease for a long period after the initial exposure (latency). Infection with HIV weakens the immune system which makes infected people susceptible to infection and cancer (healthline). AIDS is considered one of the most devastating public health problems in recent history. It is estimated that there are around 33 million people in the world with HIV/AIDS. That is why its so important for people to be educated about it.

Magic married Cookie on September 14, 1991. On October 25, 1991, he learned that a test for the HIV virus done on his blood had came back positive. Luckily, Cookie and their baby,

Earvin the third, didnt get the virus. Magic was then advised to quit basketball. He then had to decide when to break the terrible new to everyone. He decided to call a press conference. It was originally scheduled for November 8th with November 7th reserved for phone calls to alert those close to Magic to the news that would soon envelop the basketball world. But at 8:30 on the morning of November 7th, Rosen, Magics agent, got a call from KFWB reporter Randy Kerdoon. He had heard, he told Rosen, that Magic was retiring because he had HIV. Rosen told Kerdoon he'd get back to him. Rosen immediately called Magic. "We've got to go today," Rosen told Magic, "The story is about to come out. Good afternoon," Magic said in a calm, but serious manner. "Because of the HIV virus that I have attained, I will have to retire from the Lakers today ... I plan on going on living for a long time ... I'm going to be a happy man. Sometimes we think only gay people can get it or it's not going to happen to me. Here I am, saying it can happen to everybody. Even me, Magic Johnson." Magic showed a lot of courage during this press conference. He stood up for himself and others, in order to achieve a greater goal. But it is hard to imagine that Magic could have been that confident about living for a long time. The people around him were definitely doubtful. Magics doctor, Dr. David Ho wasnt so sure, At the time of Earvin's diagnosis, therapies were inadequate and patients with AIDS died fairly quickly. Without good treatment, HIV infection progresses to AIDS and death in 99 percent of the infected individuals. It was natural for Earvin to expect the same fate. 99-1 odds really werent really in his favor. However, new drugs began to emerge in the next few years following his diagnosis, and Magic was fortunate to get on some of those immediately. They kept him going until the dramatic improvements that occurred by 1995. Magic did well because of the therapies administered to him, but he also took good care of himself, which helps.

Magic stopped playing ball for a little, but when he found out he was invited to the allstar game after missing most of the season, he couldnt resist. He worked relentlessly to get back into shape and the basketball mindset. His dedication was easily seen throughout the game. Magic not only played in the All-Star Game, but was the star among superstars, scoring 25 points, handing out nine assists, hitting a trio of 3-pointers near the end of the game, including the last shot, and winning the game's MVP award (Fifty Greatest). Magic went on to play on the Dream Team in the 1992 Olympics, then attempted an NBA comeback for the 1992-93 season. But it was still the dark ages as far as perceptions about the disease, an erroneous but persistent belief lingering that the virus could be spread by coming into contact with the blood of an HIV positive person in the open air. Karl Malone, then with the Utah Jazz, said he wasn't comfortable being on the same court with Magic. This hurt Magic a lot, since Malones public statement made it obvious that he wasnt the only NBA player who felt that way. Magic retired for the final time, and continued building a business empire and devoting himself to his HIV/AIDS charity work. A woman named Elizabeth Glaser contracted HIV from a blood transfusion while giving birth to her daughter, Ariel. Her son, Jake, also got the virus. After Ariel died at age 7, Glaser began her foundation with the help of friends, focusing on pediatric HIV/AIDS. When Magic made his announcement, Glaser contacted him and a bond was formed. What Elizabeth taught Magic more than anything was to not be afraid of the disease, but rather to embrace it. They were dealt really bad hands, but look what they have done with it. He has painted a picture of hope. Elizabeth knew she was dying, but in Magic, she saw someone who could bring enough attention to the disease to spur research that might help keep her son alive. She must have known what she was talking about because her son is alive and well today. Magic then began to inquire more about supporting HIV and AIDS research.

Magic became a member of the National AIDS Awareness Group. Through this, he expressed how he made bad decisions, and how those bad decisions can affect you through life. Magic spoke to students at Cardozo High School in Washington D.C. Magic challenged the students to put as much energy into their academic work as into sports, and to save sex until after marriage. Magic now brings a strong message to students and young people across the country on sexual responsibility. He told the assembled students at Cardozo High that although some students would not take his advice, he urged them: "You shouldn't have it [sex] until you're married." One female student created a stir in the audience when she questioned Magic why he wasn't "responsible" in his many sexual encounters with women during his basketball career. "That was my mistake," Magic responded "I was not responsible. I didn't do what I was supposed to do. It was wrong first of all for me to do the thing I was doing. I can't correct that. All I can do is try and save your lives."(The Forerunner).

In addition to his other work, Magic also spoke at an international meeting at which he urged Japan to join in the fight against AIDS with increased research and education, in addition to more compassion for those who have the disease. He called the meeting "Living Together in the Age of HIV and AIDS." He said he was widely supported when the public learned of his condition, but that was because of his celebrity status. "It is important to treat people the same way as before they were diagnosed as HIV -positive," said Magic. He called for Japan to be more supportive of HIV-infected people and emphasized the significance of candid discussion about AIDS and safe sex with teenagers. His main point at the meeting was that people with AIDS and/or HIV fights two battles: one against the tragic disease and the other against the social stigma attached to it. As part of his "I Stand With Magic" campaign, Magic encouraged Howard University

blacks residing in Washington, D.C., to be tested for HIV. The "I Stand With Magic" campaign, a partnership between the Magic Johnson Foundation and Abbott Laboratories, aims to reduce the number of new HIV cases among minority communities by increasing awareness and knowledge about the disease. In 2006, the district had the highest rate of new AIDS cases among blacks in the country. Magic said it is a challenge within the black community for people to get tested for HIV. He added, "We finally get over the fear of getting tested, and then we finally go get tested, and then people say, 'Uh-oh, I don't want to know the results.'" Magic noted that if the black community "did know, in terms of educating ourselves about HIV, then we would know we can still high-five [an HIV-positive] person, we can still play basketball against them." He has also reached out to many other groups, in order to help spread correct information about HIV/AIDS. Every person has his or her own views of what makes a person iconic. Some think that a person needs to be a heroic figure, others think that they have to be a person viewed as a high social figure. Some people may even consider their parents to be iconic people. I believe that it is a cluster of many things. Magic was popular person in the NBA, but then went downhill for a while. On his rebound, he brought onto society that using protection with sex is very important, abstinence even better. He also showed that people with AIDS/HIV are no different and that they should be treated with the same respect in society. Though people came down on him, Magic's dedication to show that people with AIDS/HIV are no different then anyone else except for having the disease has never diminished. He showed all of us that they don't look different, they have social lives, they go to school, and they play sports. His dedication and fighting attitude has affected society greatly and that is truly what makes him iconic.