Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - October 29, 2006
Nomvula Shale
For nine years I lived without ARVs, eating healthily, exercising and praying. It has been a long, painful walk. It has been difficult to cope with life since testing positive.
My social worker told me I would live for six months after testing positive. Nurses in the ward where I was admitted were gossiping about me before giving me the results - they said I was a prostitute.
I was living with the fear that I was going to live for only six months, so I told one of my friends. She promised to support me. The week after I told her, we were invited to a party. I noticed that my friends were not as friendly as usual.
We ran out of glasses for drinks and no one was prepared to share a glass with me. One of my friends called me to the ladies' room and told me that she had heard that I had the HI virus. I didn't enjoy the party after that.
The worst part was that I was even rejected by members of my church.
Some family members accepted me, but others rejected me. I was so stressed that I nearly committed suicide. The partner I was going out with ran away without testing after I disclosed to him. He blamed me for being positive.
I thank God that I joined a support group. I started counselling courses. I got information about HIV/Aids. I know how to deal with negative attitudes.
I am now a qualified counsellor who has been on Christian community radio stations like Radio Khwezi, Radio Highway and Ukhozi FM. I do Aids awareness in churches and in schools. I am a motivational speaker on HIV/Aids issues.
I have been on ARVs for four months and they are helping me a lot.
Advice for people living with Aids:
* Test your status;
* Check your CD4 count;
* Once your CD4 count is under 200, start taking ARVs;
* Have hope in God;
* Forgive, and face the truth that you are HIV-positive
I thank myself for being strong in the face of anger, fear, stigma, discrimination and rejection.
If we can have one heart, and love one another, this world will be a better place.
061029
ST061010
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