apparently living off state benefits (PN 78). It's only
right and proper that PN should offer advice on travel
insurance and 'pampering yourself'. But not all of us living with HIV
can take advantage of these benefits. Less than a year ago I was working
as a freelance technical writer earning up to £30 an hour. Since
then I have tried (and failed) antiretroviral therapy three times, been
hospitalised, lost my clients, my house, my pension and nearly all my
savings. I receive only around £50 a week in income support, and
have been reduced to tears by the various benefits agencies. They have
recently refused me housing benefit, the appeal is taking weeks and if
they refuse me again, I shall be homeless. And please don't ask me about
Disability Living Allowance! I have applied twice and been refused both
times. Nobody applying for it nowadays is likely to get it unless they
are completely bedridden. Happy Holidays, Caroline!
Allan, Sutton
You can't say that, we're beautiful
I greatly enjoy reading Positive Nation, after a long time suffering burnout
of the gay/positive press, due to my feeling that it is not representative
of the wider variety of the "community". As a volunteer with
the THT, I was asked to model for their bareback campaign with my (negative)
partner. This did my 'skinny runt' self-image no end of good! However,
a London gay scene magazine's comment about the ad was: "Well, they
aren't exactly GYM trained are they?" Apparently, the gay press thinks
you are only the target audience if you are built like the proverbial
brick shithouse - so guys who aren't are not being helped to make informed
decisions
page 3 of 4
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about sex. I've managed to build my self esteem with hard work, the help of
