Audrey Anne Grace R.

Lim

BSN 3G

March 17, 2012

As someone studying to be a health practitioner, we learn about HIV/AIDS. What it is, how it is transmitted, what it does, the management and other clinical and intellectual information. But what the lectures dont teach is how to live with HIV/AIDS. I remember thinking that being infected with HIV/AIDS would mean a life of misery, isolation and shame, ending in certain death. It goes to show how ignorant and nave I was to this condition. In 2 nd year, we were able to watch a documentary about HIV/AIDS, about real people living with HIV. How they have to fight to survive. How they have to take daily drug cocktails for life to suppress the virus, monitor their viral load to check their status, and for a lady in the film, to be able to conceive HIV negative children. The simple everyday things we take for granted are sources of worry for them. In truth I admire Maam Nidge, because not only is she living a full life with HIV, but she uses that life to save others as well. It takes a special kind of courage to confidently admit to a roomful of people that youre HIV positive and do something about it. She completely blew away my misconceptions about having HIV. She is able to help not only herself but other, to come to terms to the reality if the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Davao City. If it werent for her, I would never have known about their support organization or that the local government takes an active part in supporting the movement against HIV/AIDS. I completely agree with her that one reason I dont know about these things is because of complacency and indifference; the mentality of It doesnt concern me, why should I care?. But she made me realize that though Im not part of the statistics, I should care, I should be aware, I should so do something about this. Even though I cant, in good authority, go up and speak in front of a gym full of people, I can start with those around me, those whom I know engage in risky behavior to raise awareness and to offer support in difficult times. It also helped me realize that education is still our top priority and for us to be open and honest especially about these things. We should do away with the shame and pride ingrained in us by culture if it means saving your own or anothers life.