World AIDS Day 2013 commemorations
BALANCED LIFE Magazine – (Foschini Group)
Written for the LONGEVITY Magazine by Nazareen Ebrahim.
A different observation. Thank you Nazareen,.
About
A bold and honest account, Cindy Pivacic shares her story about how she came to contract HIV & AIDS and how she responded to it. Not only is she living healthy years later, but her vibrant and energetic character has been poured into helping others who are experiencing the same situation.
Cindy presents talks and workshops on living positively with HIV & AIDS and those, with this book and her online presence, gives her the opportunity to create awareness, give testimony concerning the HIV & AIDS issue, and to assist in de-stigmatising this secret killer.
ABSA
Account Name Cindy Pivacic – AID My Journey
Account Type Flexi Account (Book Account)
Account Number 925 85 006 77
Branch Code 632005 (Pinetown)
Price R150.00 + R30.00 postage & packaging (R180.00) South Africa
Delivery 4/5 days
Courier Service counter to counter additional R 75.00 = R225.00 (SA) next day
Door to door additional R130.00 = R280.00 (SA) next day
Requirements:
Your name as reference
Email proof of payment
Your delivery address to:
cindy@cindypivacic.co.za
Thank you.
Regards
Cindy
What about the other 364 days of the year!!!
How can YOU support AID My Journey-Support’s World AIDS Day initiative, 365 days of the year?
AID My Journey-Support a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 093-243) based in KwaZulu Natal aims to assist individuals living with the HI virus to empower themselves by generating an ongoing income to sustain their wellbeing.
Support our Skills Initiative Projects – sms the word THINK to 38665 to donate R10.00
The Projects are namely;
1) Computer Skills Initiative
2) Training Support Group Facilitator
If you would like to DONATE directly into the bank account, details below.
FNB – Westville
Account Name AID My Journey Support
Account Type Cheque Account – (non-profit)
Account Number 6233 080 2712
Universal Br Code 250655
ABSA
Account Name AID My Journey-Support
Account Type Savings – (non-profit)
Account Number 9266 809 550
Branch Code 632005 (Pinetown)
I find it intriguing and somewhat overwhelming that so many people are eager (admirable I might add) to support a cause. On one site over 6,290 people ‘like’ the page of a beautiful animal but when it come to the human race, that’s us; you, me, your brother, sister, mom, dad, aunt, uncle, cousin and the list goes on, are not nearly as important a cause to support.
Is it FEAR, ignorance or just plain……………..it’s them not me?
What has happened to your compassion for the human race, pray tell, I would love to hear.
I can guarantee you, you may not know it but someone you know IS living with the HI virus but because they are fearful of rejection they choose not to share their status with you.
Eventually they find themselves in poor health with nobody to turn to and guess what? They seek out others like themselves and hope for the best! OR they also become…….EXTINCT.
Not everyone has ’brought it upon themselves’ as some will warrant their lack of support by saying.
My question to you is; what’s hidden in your closet? (before you judge, think!!) We all have something we don’t want let out of the bag. Yours is just different to mine and theirs 😉
There are organizations out there like AID My Journey-Support that are trying to be a sustaining force and empower individuals during this unplanned phase of their lives, don’t think it will not affect you, it will in the long run.
I hope those of you that are so benevolent and concerned enough will think about your fellow men/women that also need your enormously generous goodwill.
What are you going to do?
If anyone would like more information I have some projects that I wish to get up and running which will assist in people being able to have skills to generate an ongoing income for themselves and their families.
Project 1: Computer Skills Initiative
Project 2: Training Support Group Facilitator Course
Thank you for taking the time to read this. May you share the care!
I often get asked ‘how do you ask someone to wear a condom’. You just do! If you have got to a point in your relationship and taken the next step to have intercourse, which is a very intimate issue in itself, how can you NOT ask your partner to go with you as a couple for pre-counselling and a test or condomise.
If he (from here on out I am talking from a woman’s point of view) says he doesn’t like wearing a condom, he is selfish, stupid or inconsiderate. You have an alternative option; get the female condom and if you are concerned it will ruin the moment, make it work. I ask you would you rather be infected with this virus…..it’s permanent, not like your average cold, two weeks of antibiotics and hoo-ha, its over. Its there for life, once you have it, you have it, best you make it your friend then!
I have a friend (you will know who you are) whose ex from a year or so back, came to him for some business advice. He looked rather sheepish and I inquired as bluntly as always ‘did you sleep with her?’ the answer of course was ‘Yes’.
Now, you need to know, he is completely aware of my status and we have had lengthy discussions on the HIV/AIDS subject.
I subsequently wanted to know if he had used a condom to which the response was negative, when asked where his condoms were, was told in the drawer next to his bed.
I asked why he didn’t use one and the response was ‘I don’t like them’. Sorry, NOT good enough!
My question to this is:
• Do you like the virus more?
• What part of permanent does a person not understand?
• Am I wasting my time creating/educating awareness?
• Do you even understand what you are leaving yourself open too?
• Do you want any of the following acquired diseases?
a) Pneumonia
b) TB (Meningitis)
c) 2 x Strokes
d) Shingles
e) Cancer – Angioimmunoblasticlymphadenopathy
Yes I have had all of the above but do YOU want them?
If not apply the ABC Rule:
A Abstain
B Be faithful (get tested partner/self you can’t get IT if you are in a single/faithful relationship)
C Condomise!
Do it for you, test, always with pre-counselling. Stop the spreading of this disease.
After all that, have a wonderful day ?
WHEN AIDS SETS IN
It is not possible to say exactly what symptoms and diseases will be associated with HIV-infection in a specific person. Because of the unique way in which HIV attacks and disarms the immune system, all kinds of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses and cancers are able to invade the body. That is the reason why we talk about AIDS as a syndrome – a collection of many illnesses and infections.
Cytomegalovirus
When the immune system is compromised (for example, by HIV/AIDS), Cytomegalovirus is activated and can cause infections.
Lymphoma
Lymphomas are cancers that develop in the lymph system, which is part of the body’s immune system. Therefore, people with HIV/AIDS are susceptible to lymphoma.
Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by a pox virus. The infection produces pearly nodules that can occur in clusters anywhere on the body. Although it normally only affects children, among adults with HIV/AIDS, the infection can be extensive.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, is a disease that attacks the brain. It is caused by a virus called JC virus (JCV), which is common among the general population and normally harmless. In people with advanced HIV/AIDS, JCV attacks the myelin sheaths around the nerve and brain cells, and causes lesions in the white matter of the brain.
Shingles
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster virus, or VZV).
Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS)
Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a type of malignant tumour of the blood vessels that develops most commonly on the skin and mucous membranes, but may also affect internal organs.
Cryptosporidiosis
One of the opportunistic diseases that can strike down people with HIV/AIDS is Cryptosporidiosis (“crypto”) is caused by a germ called Cryptosporidium parvum.
Candidiasis/Thrush
Candidiasis, also known as “Candida” or “yeast”, is an infection caused by strains of Candida fungi, especially Candida albicans. Candida normally lives harmlessly in the body
Mycobacterium avium complex
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is caused by a group of environmental bacteria called Mycobacterium avium complex. These bacteria live harmlessly in the bodies of people with healthy immune systems. In persons with advanced HIV, MAC can spread throughout the body and damage tissue.
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)
Pneumocystis carinii is a fungus that is the most important cause of pneumonia in people with HIV/AIDS.
Sebborheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory scaling of the skin. In its milder forms, it is visible as dry, itchy dandruff.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Humans can contract toxoplasmosis by swallowing organisms from contaminated food or cat faeces.
Resource: Heath24
http://www.health24.com/medical/Condition_centres/777-792-814-1758.asp
