The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. When the women of this project report what makes them healthy, their answers represent all of these meanings. They talk about the value of relationships, with all their trials and tribulations, as well as how they might support those around them even as they sometimes need support themselves. HIV is a virus that may cause ill health for these women, but it has also given them access to care and treatment that they may never have experienced otherwise. Their experience with HIV reveals how our society currently lacks the systems needed to build truly healthy communities, but their lives also give us a roadmap for how to build those systems. Many report that HIV has saved their lives.
The women living with HIV/AIDS who have narrated this project describe a variety of romantic and intimate partnerships, often with men, that have shaped their lives. They have lived lives filled with joy, hardships and struggle because of, and despite, the men they have been involved with. Those who are not currently in a relationship, express a longing for one that can provide comfort as they grow older with HIV/AIDS.
The women living with HIV/AIDS who have narrated this project describe a variety of romantic and intimate partnerships, often with men, that have shaped their lives. They have lived lives filled with joy, hardships and struggle because of, and despite, the men they have been involved with. Those who are not currently in a relationship, express a longing for one that can provide comfort as they grow older with HIV/AIDS.
The women living with HIV/AIDS who have narrated this project describe a variety of romantic and intimate partnerships, often with men, that have shaped their lives. They have lived lives filled with joy, hardships and struggle because of, and despite, the men they have been involved with. Those who are not currently in a relationship, express a longing for one that can provide comfort as they grow older with HIV/AIDS.
Addiction and recovery play central roles in the stories shared by the women narrators. They discuss their use of various substances and often link that usage to HIV exposure. For all of them, addiction goes hand in hand with recovery as all of the women in this project are actively engaged in a recovery process. Recovery makes way for discussion about taking charge of their own health and wellness.
Addiction and recovery play central roles in the stories shared by the women narrators. They discuss their use of various substances and often link that usage to HIV exposure. For all of them, addiction goes hand in hand with recovery as all of the women in this project are actively engaged in a recovery process. Recovery makes way for discussion about taking charge of their own health and wellness.
Addiction and recovery play central roles in the stories shared by the women narrators. They discuss their use of various substances and often link that usage to HIV exposure. For all of them, addiction goes hand in hand with recovery as all of the women in this project are actively engaged in a recovery process. Recovery makes way for discussion about taking charge of their own health and wellness.
Most of the women narrators are long-term survivors, or people who have lived with HIV/AIDS for more than 10 years. They are able to survive because they are part of networks that provide support and seek their input as to what support might look like for other people living with HIV. To give and get support, either through formal groups or individual relationships, sustains these women and makes them critical to attempt to end AIDS in the 21st century.
Most of the women narrators are long-term survivors, or people who have lived with HIV/AIDS for more than 10 years. They are able to survive because they are part of networks that provide support and seek their input as to what support might look like for other people living with HIV. To give and get support, either through formal groups or individual relationships, sustains these women and makes them critical to attempt to end AIDS in the 21st century.
Most of the women narrators are long-term survivors, or people who have lived with HIV/AIDS for more than 10 years. They are able to survive because they are part of networks that provide support and seek their input as to what support might look like for other people living with HIV. To give and get support, either through formal groups or individual relationships, sustains these women and makes them critical to attempt to end AIDS in the 21st century.
Even as many of the women narrators have lived with HIV for decades, most of them report that the illness does not have them. They follow their medicine regimens and report that they maintain, for the most part, an undetectable viral load, meaning their treatment is suppressing the replication of HIV in their bodies and they can keep the virus at bay. In the process of recounting their stories, the women define what it means to be a person living with HIV.
Even as many of the women narrators have lived with HIV for decades, most of them report that the illness does not have them. They follow their medicine regimens and report that they maintain, for the most part, an undetectable viral load, meaning their treatment is suppressing the replication of HIV in their bodies and they can keep the virus at bay. In the process of recounting their stories, the women define what it means to be a person living with HIV.
Even as many of the women narrators have lived with HIV for decades, most of them report that the illness does not have them. They follow their medicine regimens and report that they maintain, for the most part, an undetectable viral load, meaning their treatment is suppressing the replication of HIV in their bodies and they can keep the virus at bay. In the process of recounting their stories, the women define what it means to be a person living with HIV.
Healing is about much more than controlling your viral load. The women of this project name the need for both physical healing and emotional healing if they are to continue to survive and thrive. They call out the need to address old and ongoing trauma and hardship in order to forge new paths for their future well-being. They see HIV/AIDS as a central driver for the changes they make in their lives.
Healing is about much more than controlling your viral load. The women of this project name the need for both physical healing and emotional healing if they are to continue to survive and thrive. They call out the need to address old and ongoing trauma and hardship in order to forge new paths for their future well-being. They see HIV/AIDS as a central driver for the changes they make in their lives.
Healing is about much more than controlling your viral load. The women of this project name the need for both physical healing and emotional healing if they are to continue to survive and thrive. They call out the need to address old and ongoing trauma and hardship in order to forge new paths for their future well-being. They see HIV/AIDS as a central driver for the changes they make in their lives.
It is one thing to say that HIV is not a death sentence, it is entirely another to say that HIV saved my life. Taking seriously how the women narrators describe their life experiences before and after their diagnoses, can help us understand what we must have in place to make health and well-being a reality for all.