AIDS Issues Update:
Justice Is Served for HIV-Positive Caleb Glover; Exclusive Interview with his Mom
A happy Caleb Glover, now age 5.
More than two-and-a-half years after an HIV-positive toddler was denied access to a swimming pool in Silverhill, Alabama, justice has been served—or at least resolved. The U.S. Justice Department announced today it has settled an Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit requiring Wales West RV Resort owner Ken Zadnichek to pay $10,000 to the United States and $36,000 in damages to the family of Caleb Glover.
According to a press release from the Justice Department, under the terms of the agreement Wales West LLC will establish policies, procedures and training practices to ensure that patrons and their families are not discriminated against on the basis of disability.
“Ensuring that individuals with disabilities are not subjected to discriminatory, stigmatizing treatment based on unfounded fears and stereotypes is critically important. The ADA protects individuals with HIV and other disabilities from this kind of discrimination,“said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
Caleb was banned from the resort’s pool and shower in May 2007, after his then-foster mother Silvia Glover told a Wales West staffer her Caleb has HIV. Frustrated, Glover told the local tv station, and the case gained national attention. When Zadnichek failed to fully apologize for his actions, the Campaign to End AIDS “organized a Labor Day family reunion, of HIV-positive people from across the country to raise awareness of HIV stigma and discrimination. Around 60 members of the C2EA arrived from as far away as San Diego and Columbus Ohio, for a day of camping, barbecuing, and, of course, swimming with Caleb, as his foster mother Silvia looked on.
Caleb soon became symbol as of discrimination, gracing the cover of POZ Magazine with Project Runway alum Jack Mackenroth and being flown out to Disneyland in 2008 for a World AIDS Day bike ride.
Silvia Glover speaks
In an interview with the Update, Silvia Glover, now Caleb’s adoptive mother, said she never filed a civil suit against Wales West, but is grateful for the Department of Justice lawsuit.
“I’m really pleased by the fact that they did acknowledge discriminated against Caleb,” Glover said. Under the terms of the suit, Glover, whose husband died in 2008, will receive $12,000 a year for three years from Zadnichek, money that will go to Caleb.
“I’m blessed that I can meet my everyday needs. But I’m an older lady raising a young child. I might not be around always,” Glover said. She worries about when Caleb will age out of Medicaid at 18. She also wants to put down money for his college fund. “Right now he says he wants to be a doctor.” She added jokingly, “I can’t imagine why, with all the doctors he sees.”
Caleb eats through a feeding tube and has cerebral palsy. But he attends Pre-K and is doing well. “He loves school,” Glover said. “He bounces out of here every morning. We’re thoroughly enjoying him. He’s been the best blessing.”
Your inside source for in-depth activism news is updated daily by Staff Writer, Julie Turkewitz
Comments (1)
To think that people still think that swimming in a pool with someone who is Hiv positive puts anyone in danger of contracting this disease shows how desperately the need to educate the general is needed. Just a sad note.We lost the majority in the senate in a state that has always been democratic.It just shows how disapointed people are with the democrats performance.Lets hope this doesnt become the norm.
Posted by philip popenik, January 22, 2010 at 12:08pm
I love this story and I have been following it for 2 years now. I am so happy for Caleb and His Family. God Works!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Naomi Walker, February 01, 2010 at 1:55pm