World AIDS Day
“I found out that I was HIV-positive 11 years ago when I was 59 years old. The diagnosis came about when I fell ill at home and my brothers took me to a hospital in Karatu.
The doctor told me the bad news, explaining that he had something serious to discuss. I thought he would tell me I had an infection that antibiotics could easily treat. However, he said, ‘I’m sorry, but you have HIV.’
After the shock wore off, I had a conversation with the doctor about HIV. He provided guidance, reassuring me that I wasn't alone and that many individuals lead fulfilling lives with HIV. He recommended that I start taking medicine [antiviral treatment].
Every three months, I'd go to the hospital for my medicine. I met many other people there, but everyone was trying to hide to avoid being identified. They'd hide their faces with scarves or pull sweaters over their heads, covering up as much as possible. I was sad because I was hoping to connect with people who shared my condition, someone to talk to who truly understood. But I knew why they were hiding: our community is not always kind to those dealing with our illness. If they know of your condition, you risk being isolated. The only reason I wasn't covering up was because the hospital was far from home and the chances of meeting someone I knew were very small.
After several trips to the hospital in Karatu, the nurse suggested I get my antiretrovirals (ARVs) from my local clinic closer to home, saving time and money. It made sense, but I worried about being recognized. That’s when I decided to tell my younger brother of my HIV status and luckily, he was very supportive.
After living with HIV for more than a decade, I don’t care if people know about my condition. I've met my neighbors at the local clinic and when they’ve asked what I'm there for, I’ve always told them the truth. Some are understanding and supportive, while others prefer to keep their distance and that's fine with me.
Recently, the family of a 20-year-old reached out to me, hoping I could talk to their relative who had become a heavy drinker after being diagnosed with HIV. It felt good to assist a young person through such a tough time, even though it had to be done secretly.
While FAME is not the hospital where I get my ARVs, I’m so grateful for the other support they provide. After my HIV diagnosis, I was also diagnosed with epilepsy. When facing difficult episodes, I rely on FAME for assistance. I've had the opportunity to seek treatment from specialists at FAME [Dr. Michael Rubenstein's neurology clinic] and I schedule appointments with them whenever they visit FAME. I feel comfortable here because the medical staff does not judge me or treat me differently because of my disease.
On World AIDS Day, my advice to everyone is simple: if you get diagnosed with HIV, focus on your health. Follow your doctor's advice and take your medicine as directed. Depression and unhealthy habits like heavy drinking can be more dangerous than the disease itself, so take care of yourself.”