It's a wet rainy day in Durban, almost as if the heavens are mourning the loss of so many lives to HIV AIDS in the last few decades. I have read that cures for new diseases take at least 40 years of research and development, so hopefully we will see some sunshine on the horizon in the not too distant future.
Glimmer of Hope
One glimmer of hope is being portrayed on the Umhlanga lighthouse this morning as a huge condom was pulled over the lighthouse in an awareness campaign causing one happy woman to win $10 000 and many people to stop and think with a smile brightening their faces .
HIV Positivity
Another ray of positivity would be the countless men and women worldwide who live with HIV positively. They are HIV positive and they are still positive about life, full of the joys of possibility. They live with gusto and they inspire many around them with their attitudes.
I personally know some of these courageous people and would like to make World Aids Day a day to honour them and the many others I have not met. I would also like to honour the many selfless volunteers throughout the cities, townships and rural areas who work with the disadvantaged AIDS sufferers and give them dignity, love and hope on a daily basis.
May today bring some sort of change to diverse lives all around the globe as we proudly display our red ribbons in support of them .
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The impact of HIV was really brought home to me today - I met a tiny Indian lady in a medical centre in the middle of Durban - we got chatting while waiting for a lift, and she poured out her heart to me. She has been with the same man for 14 years (the last 7 of which were long-distance), and 2 weeks ago was diagnosed with HIV. She is naturally completely devastated and has no idea where to turn, she is afraid to tell her 19 year-old son as she thinks it will destroy him, and in her community HIV positve people are shunned. Her partner is not answering his cellpohne. She was so heartbroken and desperate for love, and she felt incredibly guilty at being HIV positive. My heart went out to her, and it made me realise how this disease can happen to anyone, and how incredibly devasting, frightening & isolating it is.
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