Category Archives: Accessing Services

A Woman Living With HIV

Accessing Services, Action Tips, Emotional Health, Inspiring Stories, Lessons Learned, Physical Health, Support

My name is Pattie and I am living with HIV since 1992. It’s not easy living with this disease,  but you can live a pretty normal life if you want it. You have to work at it. You have to be your own advocate -no one will lead the way for you. I think the more you worry about the disease- it the harder it will be for you. Try to live a normal life and make sure you take your meds every day -at the same time everyday -no matter what. There were many times in my past that I would party all weekend and didn’t eat- but I still took my meds at the same time and that is one reason I believe I am still living today.

 “Your tracks will never end as long as you go to meetings and make friends.”

The support groups really helped me to understand what my body is going through. You are not alone -there are a lot of women living with HIV. You have got to have the will to live when things start to go wrong with your body. My friends from the groups, that I go to, really help me in life- where to get help with any problems that I have. Talk to people in your situation who are HIV positive.

For the first 20 years when my husband and I were diagnosed, we didn’t tell anyone. So all of those years we never talked about it unless there was an article in the paper or we had a doctors appointment. I didn’t know anything about HIV- only that it kills you. When the word HIV or AIDS came up I would freak out and leave the room and conversation because it wasn’t good things -it was always bad things people said. All the people were so uninformed- it used to get me so mad. They always talked down about people living with HIV. Some doctors didn’t even want to touch me or take care of me- they looked at me like I had leprosy. But when I found out about the support group on HIV, I was the first one there. I wanted to know and learn about everything that went along with the disease.

I still have a lot of life in me and many good, good friends that have helped me get to this point in my life. I am Happy and most of all UNDETECTABLE of this disease because I always took my meds every day at the same TIME.    “Your tracks will never end as long as you go to meetings and make friends.”

 

Toni and Danny: Ready for a Baby?

Accessing Services, Action Tips, Communicating With Providers, Emotional Health, Inspiring Stories, Lessons Learned, Physical Health, Uncategorized
 All fouir for blog_Page_3

Stolen Innocence

Accessing Services, Advocacy, Emotional Health, Resources, Support, Taking a Stand
Nearly 1 in 5 women in the United States will have experienced rape or attempted rape during their lifetime.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), sexual violence is defined as any type of unwanted sexual contact. This can include words or actions of a sexual nature against a person’s will and without their consent. Consent is a mutual agreement to take part in sexual activity.

Unfortunately, survivors of sexual abuse often know the person who assaulted them. Studies also show that people who sexually abuse usually target someone they know — a friend, classmate, neighbor, coworker, or relative.

In 2005-10, about 55% of rape or sexual assault victimizations occurred at or near the victim’s home, and another 12% occurred at or near the home of a friend, relative, or acquaintance.

Together, we can change the conditions that contribute to sexual violence.

You can learn the facts about sexual violence and play an active role in changing misconceptions. Prevention starts with believing survivors when they disclose. In your personal life, you can model supportive relationships and behaviors and speak up when you hear sexist, racist, or homophobic comments.

If you are unsure of how to speak up, simply saying a statement like “I feel offended by you saying that” or simply expressing your discomfort with a matter would be a good way to start that conversation.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual violence, please contact the following:

Resources:
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
877-739-3895
www.nsvrc.org

Hotlines:
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
800-656-4673
https://rainn.org/get-help                                                                     

The National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233
http://www.thehotline.org/help

 

 

National Women and Girls HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day!

Accessing Services, Action Tips, Advocacy, Awareness Days, HIV Testing, Uncategorized

March 10th

Happy International Women’s Herstory Month! I am sure many of you know that this month is dedicated to commemorate all the accomplishments women have made and the initiatives we’ll continue to build!

With this in mind, it’s also important to note that today is the 11th Annual National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day! This year’s theme is ‘The Best Defense Is a Good Offense’ which seeks to ensure that women and girls have the proper information to make the best decisions about safer sex.

Whether you’re in a relationship, actively dating or having casual sex with other people, for both you and your partner’s health, you should take safe steps to prevent HIV transmission by:

1. Using a female or male condom during anal or vaginal intercourse
2. Being monogamous (having only one partner)
3. Abstaining from drugs and alcohol (which affects your judgment and increases chance of transmission)
4. Getting an HIV test
5. Consider the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to reduce the risk of HIV infection

For more information, please visit: http://www.womenshealth.gov/nwghaad/