In much of the world people go most of their lives without ever meeting someone who is openly HIV positive and therefore carry around a preconceived notion that the majority of those who are infected are gay men, intravenous drug users, sex workers, or promiscuous individuals living alternative lifestyles. In South Africa, and around the globe, these preconceived notions and cultural stereotypes are just not accurate.


Now that HIV is no longer something that people have to die with and is rather something that people can “live” with, I believe it is important for the world to see and come to understand that people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds are infected and living with HIV. Unfortunately, most of those people are now living with the disease and all of the stigmas and stereotypes that go along with it, making living with something that is already difficult, almost impossible. It keeps those who have it from acknowledging it, speaking out about it, and educating others. This causes secrets to be kept, keeps infection rates high, and makes the possibility of living normal lives inconceivable.


The cultural barriers for those living with HIV don’t have to be present forever, but they are never going to change if the world doesn’t get a clear picture of the actual population living with HIV. Stereotypes and preconceived notions are hard to change in an isolated area, let alone globally, but the best way to make the change is visually. People need to be able to relate to those living with HIV and the only way to do that, without personally getting to know someone, is to visually see that those infected are similar to yourself and are also professionals, students, mothers, babies, and children.


I currently live in Pretoria, South Africa where HIV/AIDS is very real for everyone. The Human Sciences Research Council, in South Africa, estimates that 10.9% of all South Africans have HIV/AIDS. Within the adult population the rate is estimated to be 18.5%. South Africa is thought to be the country with the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the world. It is true that certain demographics of the South African population are affected more than others but the reality is that the effects are felt through all demographics in this country and globally.


It is here, with the help of many brave individuals, that I hope we can we can make a "positive" contribution to all of those who deserve to live open and healthy lives, free of stigmas and discrimination. This will be a platform for them to tell their stories and show the world that they are normal people, with normal lives, that live with unfortunate circumstances and don't deserve to be judged for it. Additionally it is my hope that these faces of hope will encourage people to get tested and, if positive, choose a life with treatment.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Jackie - Living with HIV for 4 Years



 Jackie has been living with HIV for 4 years. After getting tested as a routine precautionary measure, Jackie’s positive result came as a giant shock.  She was so afraid of others finding out and how they would look at her once they knew, that she, for a brief period, found life not worth living.  



She gathered her courage and called her family together to give them what, at the time, felt like devastating news.  And although her family was caught off-guard, they responded with love and support.  Soon after, she began to gradually tell friends and colleagues and was once again overjoyed by their warmth and support.  Jackie remained open and honest about the new challenge in her life and those close to her became closer. 

 
After her diagnosis Jackie began taking ARVs and has been generally healthy.  There are, however, several unpleasant side effects from the medication such as dizziness, loss of balance, insomnia, nightmares, headaches, and trouble concentrating.  Jackie manages the side effects and continues to lead a full life enjoying golf, traveling, and photography.

 
Not long after her diagnosis, Jackie got married to a man who is also HIV positive.  They support each other through the challenges of their illness but enjoy their daily lives to the fullest regularly surrounded by their children, grandson, dogs, family and friends. Jackie and her husband speak to schools, churches, and companies, with whom they share their story and personal experiences about being HIV positive.  It is their goal to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and change the perceptions associated with HIV/AIDS.  

 
Jackie changed jobs within the last few years and was transparent about her status.  She began her job with her boss fully aware of her status and without the secrecy and shame that can often follow new employment.  Jackie is open about her status in all areas of her life. Her husband, however, remains selective and discrete with whom he discloses his status.  Jackie supports his decision and recognizes that although being open was the best way for her it is not the best route for everyone.  

 
Jackie is a happily married, career woman, mother of 3 beautiful children, and granny to an amazing little boy.  She has not allowed HIV to define her.  She has met the struggles head on and with the her positive attitude and the love and support of her husband, family, friends, and work colleagues she is planning for and looking forward to the future.  

 
“It ‘s not something that happens to other people anymore, it can happen to anyone of us.  It does not discriminate between color, culture, religion, gender, or age.  I want to share my story to make people aware.  Take every precautionary measure possible and get tested on a regular basis.  It’s been a hard lesson, no mistake, but life does go on, even with its challenges.”



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Monday, July 6, 2015

Shawn - Living with HIV for 19 Years



Shawn discovered his status at the young age of 17 and has been living with HIV for 19 years.  He was abandoned by his mother at birth and forced to leave the home of his adoptive parents at the age of 15 because they could not come to terms with Shawn being gay.


After leaving home at the age of 15, Shawn was forced to live on the street for periods of time and turned to a life of prostitution.  After discovering his positive status at age 17, Shawn decided to use his illness as motivation to find a new direction in life rather than as a reason to give up.


Despite the challenges, Shawn became a successful DJ and played clubs and events throughout South Africa.  Over the past 19 years he has had three long-term relationships with negative partners and has found that being open about his status from day-one has allowed him to have fulfilling relationships with no secrets.


Seven years ago Shawn met his life partner, Georg.  Georg has spent much of his time collecting and caring for exotic birds on his extensive property.  He is proud to say that he is the only individual in the world to own all eight species of swans.  In September of 2013, they pooled their talents and passions to create a wedding venue on the grounds of Georg's magnificent bird collection and Heaven's Gate Event Venue was opened.  It has been a success by all measures and Shawn does the bulk of the wedding/event planning, as well as being the DJ.


Shawn has been blessed with a strong immune system and has never been sick as it relates to HIV.  However, he struggled with the stigma of ARVs and spent 14 years of his positive life without them.  With the help and encouragement of Georg, Shawn was finally able to move past the stigma of being on ARVs and began taking them about 5 years ago. 


Shawn does not allow his HIV status to define who he is.  He owns and runs a successful business, is in a happy and fulfilling relationship with his negative life partner, Georg, and lives happily with Georg and their five Scottie dogs.  He is currently up for Positive Hero of 2015 through the "Change the Stigma Project: and is actively involved with an HIV charity called Nkosi Haven.  Shawn is proud to be positive!


"I'm glad I am HIV positive, becoming positive game me the motivation I needed to change the course of my life in a positive and healthy way."



 
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