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Thanks for this great story. I had a similar experience. I'm baffled as to why this website's officiators omitted my previous posting about it. Having been forcibly returned to the US, and now doing HIV social work in the US, what do you do with that Ukrainian chapter of your life? Can you just walk away from it, or were you never intending to think about that country again anyhow? I have struggled with this. I had already deeply invested myself abroad when I tested pos 20 years ago.
The Peace Corps was a bitter point for me for a long time; I'm so glad you could change that. I had been overseas in developing countries for years, when testing was not even available outside the US. I tested positive after returning to the US; the worst thing of all was the feeling of doors shutting behind me after I'd invested my life in these distant places. I'm wondering if you've integrated your Ukrainian experience in your life nowadays, or if you've turned away from it.
Thanks for good article! I so agree that the stigma, ignorance and prejudice is what we must focus on working with. After some years of activism I have come to the conclusion that government funded hiv-agencies often do NOT wish to end stigma. It is an essential part of the problem, that they get funds and jobs to "work on". Hiv+ people themselves are the best advocates, as exemplfied in this article. Best of luck and hugs Jeremiah! -R
Katarina
I thank you for your great efforts in working at making a difference in peoples life's educating informing and helping others understand this better...great for you as well that you stood up for your rights and refused to be treated wrong...I fully understand your situation I have lived with hiv for twenty years doing very well healthwise...Unfortunately due to my profession and the stigma behind hiv I am not able to come out in public so to say, if I could I would...So thank you...
January 17, 2013 • Dunedin