SA: HIV Women Sterilised

On 2 March, 2020, in Health and Wellness, HIV & AIDS, by Cindy Pivacic

Disgusting! Agreeing with ‘forced’ sterilisation is not an option.

How dare anyone try to coerce or ‘forcibly’ sterilise someone else because they are HIV positive!

http://bit.ly/dozensHIVwomensterilised

Sadly, this is not a ‘new thing’ as I recall back in my KZN days, some ten plus years back, was a huge issue with people being half comatose, and in many cases right after giving birth, coerced and ‘advised’ to get themselves sterilised.

Many of these sterilisations were done without consent. Just because South Africa has the biggest epidemic in the World does not give anyone else the right to decide for you.

People have been treated with very little or no empathy or humanity and have been told that they are annoying the medical staff by having babies, knowing that they are HIV positive.

Women have been told that if they do not have the procedure, they will not be assisted when giving birth.

http://bit.ly/SAhospitalssteriliseHIVwomen1

It is an infringement of basic rights to be pressured and discriminated against because of their HIV status, and even more so, whilst in labour and nervous enough to agree to such barbaric treatment.

Follow these links to read what is currently happening with regards to ‘forced’ and coerced’ sterilisation in South Africa!

HIV: Balance & Bounce (6)

On 26 February, 2020, in HIV: Balance & Bounce, by Cindy Pivacic

There are many facets to wellness around HIV and AIDS. Here I speak with Toni Zimmermann, a long-term HIV survivor of 29 years, living an energetic and productive life.

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HIV: Balance & Bounce (5)

On 26 February, 2020, in HIV: Balance & Bounce, by Cindy Pivacic

There are many facets to wellness around HIV and AIDS. Here I speak with Patronia Luzipo from Yabonga whose vision is to provide a sustainable model of holistic care and support to families and communities affected by HIV, enabling them to live independent, productive, healthy lives.

HIV: Balance & Bounce (4)

On 26 February, 2020, in HIV: Balance & Bounce, by Cindy Pivacic

There are many facets to wellness around HIV and AIDS. Here I speak with Dr. Emille Reid who is a specialist physician with an interest in Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine. He also practices general medical-, ICU-, and Cardiac Care Medicine on an in-hospital basis.

Living Intentionally

On 31 January, 2020, in Health and Wellness, by Cindy Pivacic

Living Intentionally after a Major Setback

How do you do that?

This is a question many people ask as they, themselves, have had difficulty coming back from a major setback, be it a health diagnosis, divorce, an untimely death in their family, job loss, and more.

There is no straight answer as we all deal with trauma differently and we all have a variety of characteristics that add or dim our ability to move forward.

Many people do not have the capacity to go it alone, so here are a few pointers to consider, if you are struggling.

Keep in mind, it is NOT a shame if you are unable to cope on your own!

Firstly, evaluate your situation and decide just when, how, what and why you require support.

Secondly, approach either a professional, mentor or trusted friend/colleague who will ensure that your discussions will be confidential.

Important

Failure: is a part of thriving and moving forward.

Introspection: recognise that you will need time to process what has happened.

Timeout: get away from your immediate situation and do something fun OUTDOORS.

Reflect: Ask a credible mentor to give you sincere feedback on your situation and allow you to vocalise freely, offering support and encouragement on a positive way forward.

Lessons: Learn how you can use this situation to tackle potential future challenges.

Control: Consider what is in your control, if you have been unsuccessful or unproductive, read relevant books, take a course and upskill yourself in some constructive manner.

Serious: It may sound impossible, selfish and uncomfortable but put yourself in situations where you are ‘forced’ to laugh and enjoy yourself. It may be a temporary situation but will clear your mind. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Chance: Take a risk! Be adaptable and take a chance as being too cautious can lead to failure and isolation.

Positivity: A positive outlook is not easy for everyone. It is important to ‘force’ yourself into that space and it will gradually become the norm and is a critical part of moving forward.

Reflect: Reflect, reflect, reflect! Keeping a journal is one way of monitoring your progress and can provide evidence of how you have progressed as well as an archive of previous setbacks and how you dealt with a specific situation.

While setbacks can discourage you, this is also an occasion to review your current dilemma from a unique perspective, through your own, and your mentors’ eyes.

Create your own power to focus and adapt.

 

GET YOUR Balance & Bounce BACK!