Open House Staging

Living with HIV.

Author: Asasira Donata

My name is Asasira donata. I have been positive for five years.am now 24 years. I was so frightened when I first got news. I was dating a guy who I really didn’t know and he knew about his status.

I think that’s what messed me up in the head when I realized it was that guy who infected me with the HIV virus. I was at the university when I got the news and was living away from home. I had to be strong regardless of being at the university. Although I think my friends were concerned about me losing weight, pale, not healthy at one point.

When I finished my course at the university I went back home. I went through a few years of denial that I was not infected. Not even reading anything that deals with HIV. I was going out and drinking a lot to avoid the truth and depression. There was a turning point in my life. I renewed my life, myself and HIV.

I took a step and went to the hospital for regular check up.it wasn’t long when I was on my medication, I wasn’t sure of my viral load at that time because I was still in my twenties. I would still associate with friends, but take the medication in the toilet, never forgetting to take them.

Though my social life has changed as I have grown up. I no longer like to stay out late, taking my medication is no longer a burden. I completely don’t drink as I have such a low alcohol tolerance and hate feeling hungover.

I have learnt a lot about myself since my HIV status and how I go about things. Through this I have become strong and I don’t give up easily. I have always been private but because of my status, I talk to my very close friends about it. It’s of use at least to have a friend who is not a doctor because it’s helpful. I work out, eat and workout on maintaining my health. The lost weight has come back, and I am pleased about it.

I will never forget how my life changed and no longer hold onto the past. I have days when I feel depressed about the whole situation but then I look at my life and the things I have achieved that makes me feel better and more determined to do something with my life.

I have not been in a long relationship because I fear the reaction if I tell the person that I am infected. Yes I get enough short relationships but I have never felt I know the guy enough to be open to them. I got a guy and we talked about our experiences. It was nice to exchange our experiences and I could talk openly about how I feel about it. I do think regardless of knowing my status, (and that’s the important thing) am open to tell any guy that HIV positive I guess I know myself on a deeper level and more comfortable in my status.

HIV is part of my life but it does not control my life. When you get to know your HIV positive it is the most difficult experience you can go through in life. You feel sad, angry, scared but you have to copy up. But remember HIV does not have to stop you from being happy and fulfilling your dreams in life.

This journey is tough and you need support.my friends went out of their way to help me and get along with other people. Today HIV is not a big deal to me. I can take my medicine in public and am healthy.

If you fight stigma and denial within yourself first it’s so easy to live a positive life. Do not trust anyone when it comes to status, abstain, use preventive methods and don’t discriminate anybody because of being HIV POSITIVE.