Give me time, not pity
I’ve just discovered your magazine at my local Clonezone and am thrilled
such a publication exists. Like the reader who questioned the manageability
of HIV [PN 114, August], I too was diagnosed in March and it’s been
one health and support problem after another. I’ve had problems with
housing, incapacity benefit and so on.
I was sent a letter from my local Job Centre requesting an interview to see
if they could help me back into employment; you must be joking. I sometimes
wonder if all the taxes I paid into the system were in vain
as the rules and regulations seem to be working totally against us. I don’t
expect that all HIVers go through the same problems, but those of us who have
not yet stabilised because of the therapy required to keep our viral load
down need space to adjust. I have had to consult a clinical psychiatrist for
depression and I get confused and forgetful. Every day I feel nauseous. I’m
sure one day I will feel better, but until that day comes...Why don’t
the government admit we are all only human and make mistakes instead
of making us pay for our oversight? After all, why did I pay National Insurance
in the unfortunate event I were to get ill? I don’t want pity, I want
time.
Daniel M Foster, London
Are my partners at risk?
I’d like to ask any reader who is HIV positive and has a partner who
is negative whether they have been told that if your viral load is undetectable,
like mine, then you are as good as negative yourself and that the risk
to your partner is nil.I have been told this by heath professionals who have
said that my partners are not
at risk through unprotected heterosexual sex if my viral load is undetectable.
Paul, East Barnet
The issues around transmission are complex: remember, all kinds of sex carry
a risk, however small. We are planning an indepth look at this issue for a
future edition of PN.
Do you take part?
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) believes disabled people and those
with long-term health conditions can and do make a significant contribution
to their families, communities and wider society by taking part in paid and
voluntary work, acting as school governors and/or participating in local politics.
Our goal is to break down the barriers which stop disabled people playing
their part, for example, the low expectations held by many in society of what
disabled people can do. We would like to hear from readers about recent positive
examples of how you are participating in your local community. We are also
interested in hearing of examples where bureaucracy, negative attitudes, restrictions
or changes to support have
seriously affected your ability to take up an opportunity. If you’d
like to assist with media work, please contact Will Dingli in the DRC press
office at will.dingli@drc-gb.org.
W Dingli, Disability Rights Commission, London
Attitudes stink
I
was very interested to read your feature on positive healthcare workers [Poz
Medics Unmasked, PN 114] but as an HIV positive junior/middle grade doctor,
I can see why no doctors ‘came out’ in the story.
My own experience of occupational healthcare at work around the South East
has been positive. But a tentative foray into disclosure to senior colleagues/mentors
in a previous job did not prove so nourishing. Although, I must add, this
coincided with a diagnosis of depression, which I think was possibly a more
difficult issue for them.Whatever the personal difficulties of these colleagues
in fulfilling their pastoral and educational responsibilities to me as a doctor
in training (albeit one with eight years experience), attitudes can stink.
One ex-colleague was reported to have said over dinner that it was
hoped no more sick doctors came to work for the unit. Another told me that
my depression was the result of an inability to cope with the work and development
and retention of new skills. Rather than, maybe, the other way around?
I hope for a change in the system but reports from doctors with other medical
conditions do little to encourage me that the medical profession is able to
change very quickly. The British Medical Journal recently ran
a series of features on ill-health that offered small comfort. I am afraid
to say the medical profession is one with its own parapets and glass ceilings
to avoid, although the attitudes of my peers offer some hope for change.
A Member of the Royal College of Physicians
Thumbs up for us
I had to write after reading September’s issue. What a difference! The
magazine is looking so much better. From the striking cover highlighting HIV
positive prisoners through to your opinionated columnists, it’s so much
easier to navigate. I particularly enjoyed your new Positive Eye section;
it’s bright, colourful and uplifting. Oh, I’ve also spotted fewer
spellings mistakes too, so keep up all the hard work. Lookin’ good!
Jordi, edinburgh
Passing the test
I found your feature CD4 Testing [PN 115, September] really enlightening.
I’d never thought about what happens to my bloods after they were taken;
I just expect the results. I learnt something about the process and now understand
a bit more about the accuracy of CD4 counts. As they say, knowledge is power.
Thank you.
Sarah, carlisle
Write to:
Letters, Positive Nation,
250 Kennington Lane,
London, SE11 5RD or email
editor@positivenation.co.uk
or fax 020 7564 2140.
Please include your address and phone number although these need not be published.
Letters may be edited for length. Views expressed in letters are not necessary
those of PN or the UKC
