Summary
At present 230,000 in the Caribbean are HIV-positive and, no doubt, each has a unique story to tell. This month's episode brings you several of those stories that will inspire and surprise you. Join us as we travel across the islands - all the way from St. Maarten to Grenada to Anguilla. Along the way we will meet a number of amazing people LIVING UP and Living Positive. We will learn a lot of new facts and figures in "Did Ya Know". Finally, we will end up by meeting with Rosemarie Stone of Jamaica in "How I LIVE UP'. What an amazing story!

We are greatly indebted to those who shared their stories with us. We know it is not an easy decision to make because of the stigma and discrimination so often associated with HIV, sadly right here in the Caribbean.

St. Maarten
LIVE UP THE SHOW kicks off in St Maarten with our broadcast partner St. Maarten Cable TV. Reporter Ronnie Busby and producer Davey Woods report on how one man's diagnosis, after having unprotected sex, leads to a new and unexpected life. Gerrit Koelers, an office administrator, came out several years ago and at the same time acknowledged his HIV status. He was embraced by his family and became an ambassador for change. We will learn about how important family members are to those living with HIV.

Grenada
We then travel to Grenada where reporter Amanda John of Grenada Cable Vision introduces us to Errol. Errol is a former handyman who has seen some real ups and downs since being diagnosed with HIV several years ago. Even though he obviously has some tough days, he is often out and about, talking to high school students about he became HIV positive and how they can protect themselves. You know one of the things that the Live Up campaign emphasizes is "Take Action" and Errol is certainly doing that.

WATCH April's Show! And check back in May for the next episode of LIVE UP THE SHOW.

Anguilla
Finally it's off to Anguilla to meet an inspiring fellow who went from outcast to role model. John Lake shows us that living positively is not only possible but can be rewarding – for him and his community. Last year John founded the Anguilla Community Action Network, an organisation that gives support to HIV positive people. Anthony Pickering, from Kreative Communuications Network, brings us the story of a man affectionately known as "Pow".

Special Guest Rosemarie Stone: How I LIVE UP
It is said that every life has its own unique story and occasionally a powerful story meets an eloquent writer, and we are all uplifted by the experience. Rosemarie Stone of Jamaica is one such writer. She was married to Carl Stone, the political pollster, columnist and college professor. Like a bolt out of the blue she learnt her husband had HIV and then she was diagnosed as well. Carl died in 1993 and Rosemarie, a mother of two and a teacher, retreated from society then slowly re-emerged. Her book, No Stone Unturned, takes us on what she calls her journey of exploration .

Learn more about Rosemarie Stone and her book here:
GO JAMIAICA: The Gleaner Online Weekly Newsletter
Jamaica Cleaner: Rosemarie Stone - A story of love and courage

Summary
The pilot episode of LIVE UP: The Show features stories from Barbados (CBC), Jamaica (CVM) and Belize (Great Belize Productions), as well as a special guest appearance by popular Jamaican entertainer Tanya Stephens.

Barbados
In Barbados, reporters hang out at Reggae Lounge, a popular Barbados nightclub, and talk with local party-goers about where they get the facts about HIV/AIDS, how they protect themselves and then challenge several of their commonly held misconceptions.

Belize
There are many ways to LIVE UP, and in Belize, Channel 5 reporter Janelle Chanona investigates how the local government and businesses are training their workers to live up by respecting everyone that they work with, no matter their HIV status. As many HIV positive people still face the challenge of stigma and discrimination, Belize's Labor Department is working hard to educate workers to respect one another, correct common misconceptions and support HIV positive people and their families.

Jamaica
"HIV/AIDS is everybody's concern," says Novlet Dougherty-Reid, the Support Services Coordinator at Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JAS) in Kingston. And, in a country of over 2.7 million inhabitants, it's a critical time for Jamaica to raise the public's awareness of HIV/AIDS and reduce new infections, while increasing access to treatment for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Inspired by a personal connection to the cause, Dougherty-Reid talks to LIVE UP show host Garfield Burford about how she and others at JAS devote time, energy and often their own resources to serving their HIV community.

Tanya Stephens makes a special guest appearance on LIVE UP The Show:
Tanya Stephens (born Vivienne Stephenson on July 2, 1973) was one of the most promising female reggae artists to emerge in the late '90s. Stephens caught her big break in 1996, when her ladies anthem, "Yuh Nuh Ready fi Dis Yet," caused quite a stir (later spotlighted on the Reggae Gold 1997 compilation), as she soon after began working with such acclaimed producers as Barry O'Hare, Bobby "Digital" Dixon, Harvel "Gadaffi" Hart, and Dave and Tony Kelly. Future singles followed, including "Draw fi Mi Finger," "Freaky Type," and "Cry and Bawl," as well as the full-length releases Too Hype in 1997 and Ruff Rider a year later (Stephens also contributed backing vocals on Garnett Silk's 1998 release Journey). She then moved to Sweden and began recording a series of alternative rock tracks. Unhappy with her new direction, she returned to reggae in 2004 with Gangsta Blues and its big hit single "Boom Wuk." The ambitious Rebelution appeared in 2006 with female empowerment as its focus. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide