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Pinup-turned-activist will share her story at KSU Stark event
By Jewell Cardwell
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Sunday, Nov 29, 2009
There was a time when Rebekka Armstrong didn't have a care in the world.
That was before she discovered she had contracted HIV as a teenager as a result of unprotected sex.
It was then that Armstrong's world came crashing down.
There came a point that she even tried to end her life.
But these days, she has a healthy outlook on life. She's working to save other lives, especially teens and college-age females who believe contracting HIV can't happen to them.
To that end, the one-time Playboy playmate and centerfold will be speaking at Kent State University's Stark campus on Tuesday as part of the World AIDS Day program.
''It only takes one time — one of having unprotected sex — to change your life forever,'' the now 42-year-old said in an telephone interview from her California home.
Her message now is, ''Do as I say, not as I've done.''
Armstrong said she naively thought being on a birth control pill was protection enough. It wasn't.
In addition to presenting a body-building workshop at 2 p.m., Armstrong will be the guest speaker at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Hall auditorium.
The Jackson Township campus also will offer free and private HIV testing through the Alliance City Health Department. The testing will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in the library.
''My mission, if you will, is to talk to as many young people as I can. To let them know the realities of HIV and AIDS,'' Armstrong said.
Everyone needs to know that AIDS is not just a problem in the gay community, she said.
''To the best of my knowledge, I was probably infected right around when I was 17 or 18. The reason I say 'to the best of my knowledge' is that I have yet to speak to him directly. . . . I know it wasn't from IV drugs or from a blood transfusion. I know who it was.
''I don't know if he's still alive. . . . I was 22 when I found out.''
The first symptoms were feeling ''really, really'' run down, she said.
Armstrong asked her doctors for a complete physical. The testing included, among other things, blood work and a pregnancy test.
''I even took an HIV test. I did it knowing that a disease like that wouldn't affect me as a young woman. But I took it anyway,'' she said.
The results were positive. Three different times.
''I was on pins and needles waiting for the results each time,'' she said.
After she picked herself up off the floor, Armstrong said, she sought the help of a specialist.
''I was scared to death.''
Emotional roller coaster
Armstrong said she had to seek out former boyfriends to urge them to be tested. Their results were negative.
''The next thing that happened was that I went on a pretty abusive roller-coaster ride, fueled with drugs and alcohol,'' she said.
The only drug available at that time to treat HIV made her violently ill.
''Since I thought I only had a limited amount of time on this Earth, I made a list of things to do before I checked out. It was 'Let's party and get crazy.'
''It was a five-year roller-coaster ride.''
Other illnesses ensued and as she beat each one, she became more determined to turn her life around.
She watched as others with the disease died.
Changing lifestyle
Armstrong invested in herself, taking the medications that were prescribed ''every, single day, not drinking, doing drugs or smoking, and staying as healthy as I could be.''
She credits her lifestyle changes and the advances in HIV drugs with making the difference.
Today, a remarkably healthy Rebekka Armstrong — although she does have AIDS — is busy trying to save lives.
She works as a personal trainer, is writing a book and is a competitive bodybuilder.
''The main thing I need the world to know is that I have accepted myself,'' she said.
''I became infected because I made the decision to have unprotected sex with someone. I was responsible for me.
''It only takes one time to change the way you look at life and your future. One time to put yourself at risk, to completely change your life.
''It's just not worth it. Protect yourself! Love yourself!''
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
There was a time when Rebekka Armstrong didn't have a care in the world.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, Ohio
Posted 03:52 AM, 11/29/2009
WADSWORTH, OH
Posted 06:22 AM, 11/29/2009
wasn't she on 'romper-room' ?
akron, oh
Posted 09:31 AM, 11/29/2009
I want to PUMP YOU UP.....NNNNNNNOOOOOOO.
Barberton, OH
Posted 09:33 AM, 11/29/2009
I wish this woman well, but she needs a new motto if anyone under 21 will listen. Everyone has heard the BS phrase "Do as I say, and not as I do" before. It will fall on deaf ears.
Posted 09:52 AM, 11/29/2009
Man ... She looks really old for 42! Don't know if it is the muscles or all the makeup ... But darn ... She's scary looking! Do you fellows REALLT find that attractive?
ProChoice, OH
Posted 10:25 AM, 11/29/2009
How brave of Rebekka to share her story. Aids can be contracted by anyone. Bravo to you Rebekka & ignore the sexist comments, you're a wonderful person for sharing your story.
Cuyahoga Falls, Oh
Posted 10:47 AM, 11/29/2009
Scared straight by her muscles.
Macedonia, Oh
Posted 12:02 PM, 11/29/2009
It's AIDS and not Aids Pro-predictable pseudo-liberal!
akron, oh
Posted 12:34 PM, 11/29/2009
Blood transfusions still transmit a share of HIV, inspite of all attempts to monitor the blood suplly. ANYONE can get AIDS.
akron, oh
Posted 01:18 PM, 11/29/2009
You still can get it, even if u live by the bible. People who live by the bible still cheat.
deerfield, oh
Posted 02:24 PM, 11/29/2009
She is speaking to young people.
The do what I say not what I Do speach. Has been a Mantra from the old to the young since the first people walked the earth.
Plus the kids are more likely to listen to someone With a story such as hers. Than a big fat old person that looks like no one of the opposite sex would ever have been interested in them... So I am glad she is trying.
Besides The only way to completely Risk free Without any chance of exposure to the hiv virus. Is IF you Have two COMPLETE virgins get together and Stay monogamous with each other....
Which would include ANY type of sexual Contact.
In the real world of this day and age the Likely hood of that is Extremely Low. No Matter What Religious philosophy they Follow...
So saying the one in a million situation makes it an easily avoidable situation. Shows a complete lack of common sense or understanding how humans have been since the dawn of time...
Since there is no way to really verify a persons history.
Its best to instruct the best way for the kids to protect themselves. Instead of the pie in the sky Just Dont do it.... What percentage of the college kids a the school she is talking to are likely to NOT have sex the whole time they are in school there? If they dont they probably Didnt need her speach anyhow....
Newark, WV
Posted 08:08 PM, 11/29/2009
May god bless her..shes a very brave woman to share her story.
akron, oh
Posted 11:59 PM, 11/29/2009
Well the Modeling was 20 years ago. Before the Steroids I am thinking
http://www.wilkesbeacon.com/2.7632/former-playmate-bares-all-to-educate-about-aids-1.1152201
http://www1.assumption.edu/news/RA.jpg
http://www.freejose.com/images/1/1986-09.jpg
Akron, , OH
Posted 07:49 AM, 11/30/2009
She looks like Mick Jagger's kid on steroids!!!
Akron, OH
Posted 09:24 AM, 11/30/2009
Looks mean enough to make even Old Man Grump behave himself.
Yeeeesh.
akron, oh
Posted 10:21 AM, 11/30/2009
Oh get down off of your high horse Ron Mexico and look around at the real world.
AKRON, ohio
Posted 10:51 AM, 11/30/2009
She makes a much better bodybuilder than a model.
COLUMBUS, oh
Posted 11:59 AM, 11/30/2009
Thats awful......
Akron, oh
Posted 12:37 PM, 11/30/2009
I cannot get mad at Ron Mexico's comment. If anything, I feel sorry for people that still think in the same manner that he does. AIDS is not a liberal, gay, black, poor, or ignorant persons disease. It is an everybody, holy, not holy, male, female, STRAIGHT, all creeds, and all backgrounds. It does affect the rich and the poor and brings heartache to everyone.
Sometimes when I read postings on subjects like this, I feel as though I am transported back in time to the mid 1980's. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but someone who contracted HIV/AIDS is not a terrible person!
I can also guarantee that SOMEONE right now in your office has it! It could be someone that sits and eats lunch with you, goes for afternoon walks, or grabs a drink with you after work!
Challenge: look for a posting in the next several weeks that could be considered "controversial" and post positive things. We are not here to criticize one another. I am not very religious but last I checked, God frowns upon that.
AKRON, ohio
Posted 12:43 PM, 11/30/2009
" I am not very religious but last I checked, God frowns upon that."
Who???
Richfield, OH
Posted 01:42 PM, 11/30/2009
Ron Mexico - you hit the nail on the head. 53% of the cases of AIDS are with gay males which represents a very small part of the population (per CDC). The CDC says the behaviour in this group is high risk.
I wonder if this group will have higher premiums - like smokers.
akron, oh
Posted 01:44 PM, 11/30/2009
That was before she discovered she had contracted HIV as a teenager as a result of unprotected sex.
Until people wake up and change their lifestyle, the will happen. I wish this person well.
Los Angeles, Ca
Posted 01:49 PM, 11/30/2009
You are right Ron. It is that simple. So, then why do so many people, young and old, still have unprotected sex? And isn't that precisely why Rebekka Armstrong is talking to people?
And as far as "fast and loose (liberal) lifestyle, I have two words for you, Bristol Palin. How did the daughter of the right wing, conservative icon get pregnant? Even conservatives have unprotected sex, shocking but true
Richfield, OH
Posted 01:58 PM, 11/30/2009
Tony - nobody said conservatives are perfect. The difference in many cases is how the problem is addressed once something happens.
Canton, OH
Posted 02:11 PM, 11/30/2009
a voice - LOL!!!!
akron, oh
Posted 03:07 PM, 11/30/2009
A young,female Hulk Hogan.
Posted 05:44 PM, 11/30/2009
Ron Mexico
So Ron lets suppose that you are walking down the street. A bus runs you over. You have severe internal bleeding and you did not put enough units in storage for your self. Your choices are A) Bleed out or B) get a transfusion for the public blood supply. I suppose you would chose B.
Unfortunately when you recover you go to the doctor for a physical he runs and AIDS test you are now HIV positive. But AIDS is avoidable right?
akron, oh
Posted 12:36 AM, 12/01/2009
I am not perfect. I college, I had plenty of casual sex partners. Those ladies and I took stupid risks. Thank God we survived without this, or any other disease.
Most who get this disease were living-it-up as open-minded liberals when they received their death-sentence.
(just like you did when u were young. I guess you fall into the do what I say not what I did when I was your age category. one bad night and it could be you trying to talk sense into the kids. If you lived long enough)
Over 98% percent of HIV cases are avoidable. Justify it all you want. If you have it, sorry about your life. I choose not to participate in high-risk behavior.
(now that you are older wiser and have it out of your system. )
(THats why she is Talking to College students. So kids that do the same thing you were doing.... What most kids do at that age. The same thing she did. But with Different results.
She is trying to prepare kids with what information is available.
Locking yourself in a basement never to be intimate with anyone ever again Just in case they have HIV. Might work for you. But It isnt going to be what 99.9% of the kids out there are going to do. So I think her trying to talk some sense into them is admirable. )
Hoodieville, OH
Posted 03:28 AM, 12/01/2009
53% of the cases of AIDS are with gay males which represents a very small part of the population (per CDC). The CDC says the behaviour in this group is high risk.
I wonder if this group will have higher premiums - like smokers.
This only makes (common) sense. If they aren't treated in the same manner as smokers, it's undeniably discrimination.
akron, Oh
Posted 05:15 AM, 12/01/2009
why is aids still a gay thing???? when i was stationed in s korea back in the middle 80's they told us about it then. "if yer gonna get wet, use a life jacket! thats an order!"
akron, Oh
Posted 05:16 AM, 12/01/2009
an yeah, chick bodybuilders are smokin hot.
akron, oh
Posted 10:48 AM, 12/01/2009
No "basement" for me. My monogamous relationship (wife) is one of constant sex.
I thought so. Its SO easy to preach Monogamy Or the jergens route you seem to know a lot about. when you have a regular partner..
It isnt what you did when u were young. By your own admission. She isnt out there Talking to the OLD married duffers.
She is talking to Kids... In which only a few can be classified as monogamous.
