ƃuıpuɐʇsɹǝpun

People are often surprised to hear what it is really like to live with HIV. Advances in treatment mean that many people diagnosed today can expect a near normal life expectancy if they get diagnosed early and take treatment correctly. However, side effects of daily treatment can have an impact. For many people with HIV it is the social consequences that can have the biggest impact - dealing with prejudice or how to tell friends and family.

 

There is still a great deal of stigma about HIV, often as a result of ignorance about how HIV is transmitted, judgements being made about people living with HIV, a lack of understanding what its like to live with HIV, or an unfounded fear of becoming infected. A third of people living with HIV have faced discrimination. Whilst scientific understanding of HIV, and how to treat it, has developed rapidly over the last two decades, social attitudes are changing much more slowly.

 

I am fortunate to have a confident personality and have great support from friends and family but I can also say first hand the stigma does exist and it's not fun to experience. Not to get too personal, but try to imagine what it was like to be told disinfectant would be needed after I had stayed over with a friend. For a moment I felt dirty, then angry, and then I forgave and moved on. Aside from coming to terms and living with this virus, which quite honestly I look to as part of life's journey, it does take a certain amount of backbone when confronted with other people's fears and/or ignorance. Perhaps putting a face with this helps others to understand - as uncomfortable as it may be for any one of us.

 

Thanks to All Who Support Me.

If you have questions, please ask or educate yourself.

 

Let's Be the Generation Who Makes a Difference in Every Way.

 

World AIDS Day

01 December

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