May 4, 2021 BY imani leave a comment
Who is Javion Mounts?
Javion joined MASS two years ago as a Front Desk Receptionist working part-time. He has made his way to two complementary full-time positions, Finance Assistant and Non-Medical Case Manager. Besides billing, Javion handles appointments and helps people transition from jail to society at Minority AIDS Support Services.
“You actually see the good that you’re doing in people’s lives”, shares Javion. Helping people in such a dramatic way is a surreal experience for many people working at MASS. People who have encountered AIDS rarely know how to deal with it at first. Your life gets turned upside down by this awful and unfortunate thing that you were absolutely certain could never happen to you. Unfortunately for many, AIDS is a reality that most people avoid.
People battling AIDS need help, guidance, and support more than anyone else. Javion and his colleagues at MASS are happy to do that and let patients know that they are not alone. “It’s a common misconception that your life is over once you test positive. Life can still be good and it’s not over.” Javion reassures patients that AIDS is not a death sentence and encourages them to focus on getting on medication. “Your life can still be meaningful”, he says, and he’s not wrong!
“People should get tested because it’s best to know!” Know your body and your limits, and make informed decisions based on that. Depending on sexual activity, you should get tested once every 3-6 months, advises Javion. If you’re more sexually active, it’s good to stay informed and get tested every 3 months. If you’re less sexually active, consider getting tested twice a year. There is no harm in knowing where you stand. On the contrary, knowledge gives you the power to act.