Personal stories
Living well with HIV means more than prescriptions and appoiontments. Managing relationships, preventing transmission of HIV to others, childbirth and pregnancy, and travelling with HIV are just some areas where being HIV positive presents special challenges. PLHIV in rural and regional areas often find these challenges magnified, particularly when it comes to social impacts and access to services.
HIV can have a big impact on a persons life, especially at the time of diagnosis. It can be frightening, confusing and challenging. It can bring about big changes in how one views their life. Reading personal stories of people living with HIV can help us to understand some of the issues and challenges as well as learn from the strategies they have used to overcome them. Each individuals journey is different but there are also many shared, common, experiences.
The stories shared here by PLHIV have had names and identifying details changed to protect the confidentiality of the people involved. We are very grateful to the people who have been brave enough to allow us to publish their experiences. If you would like to share your story with us please let us know.