When my parents grew up, it was in the era that people believed education was key. It would get you a good job so that you have a salary, a pension and a good stable life.
When I was growing up, Education became about options. It gave me the option to chart my own course, start a business, choose a vocation or take on a salaried position.
Nowadays, Education is about so much more than job security and pension plans. We are in the information age where knowledge is power. The world of HIV is a great example of this. Think back to the eighties when this scary 'gay disease' was discovered and we all ran away from gay men believing it was a plague. Here we are today, armed with a lot more knowledge and with tools that have developed as a result.
If you are HIV+ in 2010, your life is different to how you always envisaged it to be sure. But, thanks to information and education, your life can still be normal (different can still be normal, it's just different). You are armed with thousands of websites, articles and specialists around the world who are living with HIV or working with HIV. You can empower yourself and make informed decisions about your future and about your health. You can take back control over this cunning virus that was previously so mysterious.
The more you know about living with HIV, about living healthily and exercising, the more choice you have to assume control of your life. There are thousands of supplements out there, and it can be confusing with conflicting opinions - but you have a great opportunity to choose. Even the ARV drugs are varied and there is some leeway to choose which regimen you take. You have a choice of doctors and healthcare providers to team up with on your journey to optimum health. In the bad old days, there were few doctors who knew about HIV, and fewer doctors prepared to treat patients with it.
The revolution in the information age with the explosion of the internet is a great tool. The mere fact that you are reading this is a testament to this. You can find words of encouragement, tales of personal stories, outrageous myths and reliable research results and drug information all from the comfort of your home. This also allows you to remain anonymous which is another important factor in maintaining your quality of life. The privacy to manage and travel this road with the supporters you choose without wearing a giant label on your head, this is thanks to the information available that allows you to make your own decisions and lead a normal life.
The benefit of HIV research has shown us that it is possible to live for another 43 years after starting ARVs, a piece of information that may just bring hope back to someone coming to terms with his diagnosis. The wealth of education we have gained from treating pregnant women with HIV has helped us to confidently support women in conceiving and having children, allowing HIV couples to reclaim their right to a family and a future.
Thank goodness for the education we have, we need to spread it and get the information out. It is the information that will help to rid us of stigma. Ignorance and stigma are so closely tied that I believe it will be impossible to discriminate against people with HIV once the ignorance is removed.
HIV Support in South Africa - bringing information, Dr Gail Ashford's thoughts and opinions to people affected by or living with HIV.