I know very well there are a bunch of us who are glad they got through 1st Dec.
World AIDS day is marked all over the world and to some of us. On this day, we create awareness on the issues around HIV&AIDS as well as ask for everyones involvement especially the government in ending this pandemic.
This however, is a day some of us wish we wouldn’t be aware of. There are those of us who are definitely struggling with the blows this virus has had in our lives, struggling with the lies and stories we make up to avoid disclosure.
Somehow, the week preceding this date and maybe a couple more after don’t make it easy for us. What with all those stories about the current statistics, the calls for tests and yet again the opinions of people; some who sometimes have no idea at all about what living with this virus is all about fills our eyes and ears. I am a liaison of sorts in my office and therefore plan for all the media interviews and documentaries. This is the time that they visit our office the most. Not a bad thing because I believe the world needs to know there are people living with this virus and going on with their lives.
What surprises me are the kinds of questions they ask sometimes. One is left wondering where these guys have been in the last year or so.
“So tell me, how you feel living with AIDS.” One reporter asked me as I was setting up interviews for him with some of our members.
After a few seconds of psychobabbles I snub the serious need to lash out. So I decide to educate.
“First of all I am living with HIV.” I calmly say
“Secondly I don’t feel any different from you.” I wake up, come to work, kick butt, don’t settle for less and stay happy.” I go on.
On World AIDS day, I was in charge of our event at one of our centers in
“Hallo.Congrats 4 managing 2 stay strong and beautiful with the HIV virus; Keep it up happy AIDS day.”
First of all, I believe my friend had every good intention as she sent this message but all I felt was anger. Happy AIDS Day!!!
What is happy about having to live with this virus? I mean it’s not like its valentines day and we need to send text messages round. What next? We will have red ribbon mugs on sale and World AIDS day offers of products during Dec 1st?
I shared this text with some friends from my group and they had some crazy ones to show.
“I am thinking about you during this day. Happy worlds AIDS day.” Read one
“On this day may you find strength and renewed hope to fight on to reach your star and be an inspiration to others, Happy World AIDS Day.”
Most of the people who got these text messages weren’t amused. Some of them just like me decided to ignore them, other definitely spent some time crying about it. This is not a happy day for any person living with HIV. For some of us it’s the day that we have to confront this virus. We wish we could call in sick and not go to work. But we fight that horrible feeling and put on the fake smile and make it there anyway. We keep the smile on as much as we are screaming inside when our colleagues talk about nothing else but HIV&AIDS on that day. Getting such text messages from friends seals the box of one of the most horrible day.
There are those occasions that call for silence. This is one of them. There is nothing you can do or say on this day that would be deemed right. Believe me I know. “I am sorry.” Is irritating,
“I am thinking about you.” May work after I die so double irritating and “happy world AIDS day” is definitely infuriating.
My advice? If you have a friend living with HIV; don’t text on this day. You can make phone calls and talk about general things or have a fun thing planned out, without necessarily looking like it’s supposed to make up for them living with this virus. Anything that would take your pals mind away from this day and what it means to their life is welcome. If they want to talk about the day and how affected they are by everything then just be there to listen.
That aside, I am glad that the world has become tolerant; the reduction of stigma and discrimination is a key indicator. I hope that this will enable more people test for the virus. This is the only sure way to prevent more infections.
1 comment:
Happy AIDS day? WTF??? That threw me for sure.
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