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We, aBigSAM and Lyric, were seeking a term for people with HCV that was more suitable than the common term "hepper". We noted that the term was uncomfortably close to the term "leper", which indicates a disease so highly contagious and feared that people with leprosy were shunned and sent to live on
islands where they couldn't infect the rest of the population. As we all know, HCV is not that contagious, but there is still a stigma attached to the term and those who are uneducated are frightened by it.
Over a period of time, with many different forms of the word being proposed and rejected, we finally hit on "HEPPO". We immediately saw the potential for this word to be a play on the word "hippo". After much trial and error, we finally found a graphic of a hippo lounging in a tub of water and knew we had found our avatar. We refined this until we had exactly what
we wanted. Our first graphic attempts were somewhat crude but we had the look we wanted. Eventually the idea caught on and our original "heppos" have been expanded upon and greatly improved by several members, notably Wannabalive.
Our purpose in creating these avatars is to give people with HepC an image that is not frightening and can show others that we are not "lepers". These images can be used to educate children on this disease as they find them as appealing as we do. It's our way of trying to spread the word in a positive manner. Heppos are not something to be frightened of...but the disease they have IS. This is the message we are trying to convey.
Several categories of "heppos" eventually surfaced over time. We have the standard hippo figure in a tub which is used for most people infected with Hepatitis C. We try to personalize these images and show a little of what the person behind the Heppo is really all about. We also have the Transplant Heppos, which appear in a flower pot with a bag of potting soil and a shovel nearby, indicating someone with HCV who has received a liver transplant. The ones who have a flower pot, shovel and potting soil
by their tubbie are awaiting transplant. Then we have our Heppo Angels. These are people without HCV who are caretakers, friends and family who have joined us in our fight. These "Angels" are shown in a tub like the standard heppo but with the addition of wings. Anything goes with our "Heppo Kids", whatever they want!
We are pleased at the positive feedback and response we have gotten to this image and have plans to expand upon it in the future. We hope to create a line of stuffed Heppos which can be sold to benefit HCV patients and research. We are also interested in publishing an educational book for children, with Heppos as the main characters, to help educate them on how to avoid ever catching this disease.
| "Heppos" and the basic image are the property of the aBigSAM and Lyric HepCnet.net site and may be used with permission. Once a heppo is assigned to you, it is yours to use as you like. We only ask that if you use it on another site that you give credit to HepCnet. |
aBigSAM and Lyric
New Site Policy!!
Heppos will only be created for those who are actively posting on the HepCnet message boards. They are created specifically for this purpose. Wannab has spent hundreds of hours lovingly creating Heppos that have never been used or seen on the boards. Please do not request a Heppo unless you have posted at least a few messages to introduce yourself and you intend to use it. This doesn't mean that you have to post constantly, it just means that we need to know that you are going to be around once in awhile before hours are expended creating your heppo. We will be glad to help you if you have any problems posting them.
Thank you, aBigSAM, Lyric and Wannab
A FEW WORDS FROM WANNABHEPPOMAKER:
Hi, I'm chief Heppo-maker at HepCnet. I want you to know that I create each and every Hepppo by hand. They do NOT just appear with the click of a button. When I draw Heppo's, I put my heart into them. With that said, I would appreciate a couple of things from you...
First, PLEASE be reasonable in your requests. Understand that I am working with a limited space and NOT ALL things can be put in the picture. I will do my best, but not everything you ask for can be done. You will only get ONE Heppo, unless a major change takes place, like being put on a transplant list. Otherwise, I will have to charge you for the changes.
Next, when I email you with a question, a Heppo will NOT be made for you until I get a response, and if your email addy is NOT valid, a Heppo will NOT be created for you.
Most Importantly,
PLEASE USE YOUR HEPPO once you have received it. It hurts my feelings to work hours and hours making your Heppo just for you, and then you never use it. So, if you are not going to use it, don't ask for one. I only get paid in Bubble-Gum for making heppo's and I don't get a fresh piece until we see you using your Heppo! If you would like to see the Heppo's I have made, or have nothing better to do, or just want to get some ideas, CLICK HERE!
Thanks soooooo much for listening...Wannab
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