Your Health Comes First
In my journey with HIV, I found that the first step of self-acceptance was the hardest. I have seen how much embracing my HIV-positive status opened the door to a life that I didn’t know was possible. Like many, I first reacted to my diagnosis with shock and guilt. I hid my status from my mother until I could no longer keep it a secret. Once I told her, I did not want anyone else to know because I was scared of being judged and called names. Those were the saddest days of my life. It didn’t help that my partner also eventually left me, making it much harder to accept and deal with my situation. I revealed my status to my mother after she started showing concern about my weight loss. She accepted me with open arms and gave me all the support I needed, encouraging me to attend church more saying God will guide me in my predicament and every life situation going forward. After accepting the fact that I was living with HIV, I realized how close I came to losing my elegance and good life. I recovered very quickly, gained my weight back and was radiant as the morning star. I started embracing my ARVs, adhering to them well enough to the point that I started humorously calling them my “Jelly Tots.” I would even show them off while commuting in public transport and would shake them, pretending to be looking for my transport-fare in my hand bag, as I was amused by the sound they made in their container. Doing this inspired other people to take their ARVs without inhibition. Others would ask me where I get the courage to carry my pills without shame and I would say, “Put your health ahead of anything else because no one else will secure your health for you.” I told them about the new Treat All program- sharing that immediately after testing, those who test positive are enrolled on treatment right away, and some of them enrolled. This showed me that God was indeed using me to redeem people’s lives. My fellow countrymen, take your ARVs so that you may live a longer life, achieve your dreams, bear more children so that even your grandchildren may grow up to find you alive, walking with a cane. Being HIV positive can present certain challenges, but I have realized that embracing my status enabled me to live a wholesome and fulfilled life. POSITIVE LIVING is a column space for people living positively with HIV, who are generous enough to share the stories of their lives. If you also wish to participate in the column, give us a shout at suneditor@guardiansun.co.bw