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congrat's interesting perspective, the other side, triple diagnosis since 1987, never had the luck of dealing with one issue at a time. add kidney failure from taking meds, add immune non-responder with no hope of that changing. among those who admit advances, but the new stigma comes from the reality that our truth gets in the way of your celebration, that's not the intent so how to use progress to level the playing field for the minority without the privilege count us in
It’s understandable that folks may wish to push back on attempts to minimize HIV, or at least acknowledge it’s much reduced impact. But to deny the progress, often made by advocates, in the last few decades makes no sense. One has to ignore much reduced mortality from HIV/AIDS, improved life spans, more effective treatments with fewer side effect, change to a manageable condition, uequalsu, PrEP and arguably, reduced stigma. Progress is progress. Let’s not deny it’s existence.
Bob, thanks for your essay. Yes, many of us thought that AIDS was the worst thing we might have to deal with. Yet, life has a way of always surprising us. Like you with your heart disease and surgery, I was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue in 2020. This led to complicated surgery and radiation treatments. I am still recovering, slowly. However, what HIV taught us is that resilience is a matter often of attitude. It's key to believe you are stronger than anything challenging your health.
Dear friend the good news is that coronary artery disease as well as diabetes type 2 both could be reverse ! Whole food plant based diet is the key!! Look into it people ! There a lot of healing there!
What a positive, well written article with such a pertinent message. Positive feedback was my main intent in this comment but I’ll add to the discussion by saying that I had a similar epiphany a few years ago albeit without the shocker of heart surgery. I was mid 50’s and very overweight. My VA doc changed up my meds and I got busy with diet and exercise and have lost 40 pounds and have never felt it been better in my life. I’ve gone from big to cut and am happy as can be!
Having a heart event is horrible & I'm so sorry to hear what you wet through Bob. Unfortunately comorbidities is not a "buzzword". Many PLWH & adovocates many not fully appreciate the real impact of a comorbidity until it happens like a premature stroke at 63. Studies report comorbidities on average can occur prematurely & more often in PLWH & can occur an average 10-15 years earlier in age compared to HIV-uninfected. Be well Bob, best wishes, take good care.
Thank you for responding William. Individuals have every right - in fact I’d encourage it where possible - to minimize HIV. It’s key to removing stigma. If folks think an 80’s-style response is what is needed to address HIV today, they are mistaken. There are opportunities here to reshape our response to HIV a way that stresses prevention and testing while recognizing .HIV once contracted Is mostly easy to manage . We can beat HIV if we acknowledge the impact of the disease has changed.
WILLIAMWOODFINE
Advances have been made with HIV/AIDS, but many problems still exist today that existed in the early 80s such as poverty, homelessness, mental health, lack of access to nutritional food, and addictions. These problems prevent many people from accessing state of the art health care and treatment. Also, people like myself who have lived with the virus for years have multiple health issues including fairly serious side effects from the meds.
August 14, 2021 • Vancouver