Schools, universities, community groups and organisations sometimes invite a person with HIV to provide a personal perspective on living with HIV. Fortunately the WA AIDS Council provides training for individuals with HIV who choose to share their personal story with others. I have found the opportunity to increase the acceptance and respect for HIV and provide accurate prevention education immensely empowering. By telling my story and sharing my wisdom I, like others, have grown personally. It is difficult to measure the impact of a personal story; the feedback is almost always one of gratitude and privilege for having the chance to develop a greater understanding through a real life story.

A favourite question that often gets asked is, “how did you get HIV?” My answer is “by being loving and intimate with another man and having unprotected anal sex”. The variety of questions can be challenging. “Why didn’t you use a condom?” or “do you regret getting HIV?” and “how sick did you get?” are some examples of questions asked. Most questions provide an opportunity to be real and share personal insight and wisdom. For example, I have had to explain how through having to face my own mortality, I have gained experience in learning to love and accept myself. I have also told people how much more I appreciate the loving people around me and how I indulge in life’s simple pleasures with great appreciation. I tell them how by not choosing suicide as an option, I have gained certainty in the love I have for myself, for others and the desire to live now.

- Advertisement -

Sharing profound human experiences can be life changing for everyone. I was relieved to discover which people in my life were really non judgemental or choose to love even if they kept judgements. The fear of reaching out to others and the gratitude and acceptance felt when it is given with kindness and compassion is a gift. I normally get emotional when I describe how only half the people who were in my first support group back in 1994 are alive today. (How wonderful it is to live through that changing for people diagnosed with HIV today). I learnt to be resilient and stand tall in the face of prejudice and pervasive sexual rejection amongst many of my peers. I also learnt to be open and welcome them when their understanding evolved.

Everyone has their own unique story of wisdom and inspiration. If you are interested in sharing your wisdom, please contact me at the WA AIDS Council on 9482 0000 or through email on cmartinez@waaids.com.

Cipri Martinez