Plodding along in the hope that everything will turn out just fine, is not an option.
If you are faced with challenges, whether physical or emotional, will affect your mental state and jeopardise your ability to function normally.
Facing your challenges or fears is the only way to make practical choices in order to change your circumstances. The question is; how do you do that?
Not everyone has a personality type to cope with challenges on their own so acquiring the valuable and experienced counselling/guidance is paramount to get you through tough times.
If you have been through a traumatic event or face issues at work, or even in your personal life, the best way to approach it is head-on and as soon as humanly possible.
Over and above my health issues, many years ago I was on holiday and my then husband had my 18 month son in a backpack carrier and decided to get a view of a mountain from a closer viewpoint. He stood up on a low wall overlooking a sheer drop. I freaked, lost the plot and screeched for him to get off the wall. Prior to that I had no issue with heights, little realising how that one incident would affect me for over thirty years.
Once I decided to own and face my fear of heights, I firstly went on a 1,5km Zipline Tour in Ballito, KZN. After a leisurely nature walk to the top of the cliff I was introduced to the “1st in the world” – all new “Parazip” proceeding to slide on a 400m cable from the top of the mountain. That was around 2014.
I then decided, in 2018 that zip-lining was for sissies, so on World AIDS Day, I proceeded to tandem paraglide off Signal Hill. What a blast and I can honestly say I would do it again.
My life, my choices!
Don’t be ashamed of what you’ve been through or what you’re dealing with.
What are your challenges and what are you doing to defeat them?
There are ways to overcome each and every obstacle; you just need the right tools!
About Cindy: In 2004, Cindy was diagnosed with HIV & AIDS. By 2008 she was subjected to Cancer (stage 3b) and TB Meningitis. Cindy had two Strokes and Shingles, four times in one year. And a hefty bout of Pneumonia… all that in a space of four years. In March 2018 Cindy had a massive heart attack leading to a double bypass.
I often ponder which rock some people and/or organisations live under so I can hopefully go and drag them out before it is too late.
We have a pandemic in South Africa as far as HIV & AIDS is concerned but we, as a community have become complacent and blasé about the situation.
With World AIDS Day (WAD) coming up it has become ever more noticeable as companies are reluctant to make much of an effort to create awareness. This should be an ongoing contribution throughout the year, now WAD does not even seem to garner much interest.
South Africa had 400 and 350 THOUSAND NEW infections in 2012 and 2014 respectively. (Those are the people we know of and have tested). That is ¾ of a million people; some countries don’t even have that many citizens to boast about. You would think there would be a serious concern for the future of this country other than taking up the ‘fight’ for education. Before long there won’t be enough ‘solid’ individuals to continue the future in governing this country.
Do not for a minute think it does not affect YOU; we are all affected one way or another. You may think it does not concern you but I can guarantee you, you do know somebody ‘close-to-home’ that is infected, they may just not have disclosed their status to you , living in fear of rejection.
Many of the ‘big’ stakeholders in the HIV arena do not agree with advocating fear (and for the record, neither do I) as a deterrent of becoming infected with HIV, perhaps it is time we rethink that idea!
Obviously some of these institutions and communities have not seen the devastation it can cause to a person. The consensus seems to be ‘Oh well, I will just go onto ARV’s’, seriously……
If you want to live a life that does not involve daily medication, even if it is the ONE pill, you need to ensure that you DO NOT become infected.
Becoming infected ensures the following:
- You will have to go for either monthly/bi-monthly/four-monthly/bi-annual/yearly checkups.
- You will have to take medication and supplements for the rest of your life.
- You will have added costs to your life.
- You will lose working hours, like it or not.
- It will affect your lifestyle.
- There will be blood taken, tests done resulting in further costs of time, money and stress.
- It will compromise your immune system making you vulnerable to other dis-eases such as flu, pneumonia, TB, Cancer to name but a few.
It may be at the beginning or the end of your diagnosis that you experience these issues, possibly both, who knows what your system can cope with. You will be able to live a pretty healthy life in-between but at some point you will wonder what you were thinking to put yourself at risk.
Having said that, HIV is a manageable dis-ease but you will eventually die from an AIDS related dis-ease, maybe not for quite a while after diagnosis but it will eventually happen.
Yes, we are all going to die and you may say ‘so what’ but why put yourself in a position where you could in actual fact have made the CHOICE not to accelerate the situation.
My final word is to the corporate sector as well as individuals, be informed, learn from those that have travelled that road.
Solution:
Retain the services of a person living with HIV and AIDS who is in a position to engage with staff at branch level and at their weekly meetings.
This will create a personal relationship where individuals will feel a connection to a ‘face’ where they can ask questions immediately or interact via alternative methods at a more opportune time to receive the information they require.
#CindyHIV
Once upon a while ago………….
As an HIV positive individual I had to look at ways to enhance my well-being.
Writing is an outlet to document my thoughts and share with those needing reassurance.
By authoring a book with the title, The Deadly Seducer I managed to incorporate a positive attitude, healthy foods and the experience of dealing with the effects of AIDS that I acquired, namely TB meningitis, pneumonia, shingles, two strokes and Cancer (Angioimmunoblasticlymphadenopathy) which has given me insight into constructive ways to counsel, mentor and live a healthy lifestyle through educating myself and followed up by sharing the same values with others.
Having lived through the numerous health challenges puts me in a fairly unique position to add value to any educational information provided.
I have since written various articles which have been posted to a number of health and education websites, local magazines and a range of newspapers
Later I developed a training manual on some of the latest trends on HIV and being an avid social media participant have posted educational information on a regular basis.
I would like to deliver ongoing education through the media on a weekly/monthly basis as this will encourage conversations around health and wellness as well as the ongoing HIV situation in South Africa.
I see this as an exercise to generate an income for the Non-Profit Organisation I founded as the sponsorship and fundraising is non-existent and there are individuals who are unable to afford counselling and healthy lifestyle guidelines.
Contact me if this is of interest to you and falls in line with your newspaper, magazine or online presence.
cindy@cindypivacic.co.za
Greetings!
I would like to present my course of HIV & AIDS in the Workplace to staff as it is still a considerable concern in the work environment.
Recent stats reported by the government beginning April 2014 stated that there were 400K registered new infections since 2012 and 6.4 million people are infected.
Those are the known persons and affects individuals from all walks of life, everyone is at risk.
Retain experienced workers by educating and avoiding the plunge into additional costs of training new people, their Health & Wellness should be your priority not just theirs.
If you would be so kind as to share the information with the relevant person/persons or point me in the right direction of who manages this form of training, I would appreciate immensely.
Overview
Upon completion of the programme, trained HIV & AIDS coordinators will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of HIV & AIDS in a workplace, and its effects on a business sub-sector, own organisation and a specific workplace.
This provides a broad introduction to HIV & AIDS in the workplace.
It introduces a broad case of knowledge about HIV & AIDS that will enable learners to be informed and caring towards workers in an industry.
The focus is knowledge, skills, values and attitudes in relation to the learner’s own context and experience of the world of work.
Training outcomes:
After completing the training programme the learner is capable of:
• Understanding the effects of HIV & AIDS on the immune system.
• Knowing how HIV & AIDS is transmitted.
• Knowing what behaviour is safe and what behaviour carries the risk of HIV & AIDS transmission.
• Knowing what guidelines and assistance are available to support workers with HIV & AIDS and recognise own role in creating a caring work environment.
• Understanding the implications of the HIV & AIDS pandemic for society, the economy, a business sub-sector, an organisation and a specific workplace.
This programme is also available as a certified accredited option: US 13915 SSETA
Please feel free to ask for more details on this option. I look forward to your response
World AIDS Day 2013 commemorations
BALANCED LIFE Magazine – (Foschini Group)
Written for the LONGEVITY Magazine by Nazareen Ebrahim.
A different observation. Thank you Nazareen,.
Cancer and HIV & AIDS Awareness
Place your orders now to ensure prompt delivery.
Hard copies available. See detailed information link below.
Book – website short link: http://wp.me/p1hie1-lN
Corp
orate/Christmas – year end Gifting
OR
World AIDS Day hand-outs
‘The Deadly Seducer’ Author – Cindy Pivacic
‘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 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’.
~Charlotte Kemp~
Book – Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheDeadlySeducer
Speaker HIV – Facebook www.facebook.com/CindyPivacicSpeakerHIVAIDS
Email: cindy@cindypivacic.co.za
Also available in double disc AUDIO version including 36 FAQ’s that everyone needs to know.
OR
Single disc AUDIO 36 FAQ’s
Brave at heart – Shannon Hopkins
A piece written to share the launch of my book The Deadly Seducer
I don’t understand a word but I am sure Nosipho Mkhize was kind.
This is the third piece she has done on me (various papers) and I hope it gives courage and hope to others.
Double click on picture to enlarge. If you still can’t see and would like a copy or wish to share, pop me an email: cindy@cindy.pivacic.co.za
Keep an eye on this SPOT for the AUDIO release date!
1st DAY launch promo of ‘The Deadly Seducer’ will get you a copy at the introductory rate of:
- R90 from the online store, thereafter R100
- CD’s R100, thereafter R120
- CD and Hard Copy Book combo R250
Preface into the upcoming release of the AUDIO version of The Deadly Seducer
LOOK & LISTEN! http://youtu.be/M0AWlFNWHHA
Cindy Pivacic is a Speaker, Trainer, Author, HIV Activist and IEC (Information-Education-Communication) Facilitator on HIV & AIDS.
Living with HIV & AIDS since November 2004, surviving numerous health challenges Cindy is in the unique position to add value to the training and speaking engagements provided, having presented regular talks and training sessions on a range of essential HIV & AIDS issues.
Require gifts for World AIDS Day? This will be the ideal informative option.
