About
Cindy was diagnosed HIV positive in November 2004.
She has survived and is now thriving after the challenges of HIV, Cancer, TB Meningitis, Pneumonia, Shingles and two Strokes, (between 2004-2008) and a double bypass in 2018.
This is ample authentication that she is in a unique position to present on ‘Owning your Balance & Bounce’ through lifestyle skills management that has spanned her enterprising and unusual vocation.
Cindy is invariably asked how she bounces back after her many life-changing incidences.
Some of her habitual characteristics are:
- A positive attitude.
- Confidence and calmness.
- A willingness to ask for help.
- Acceptance of her situation.
- Persistence and determination.
- Challenge – Resilient people view difficulty as a challenge, not a paralysing event.
- Commitment – Resilient people are committed to their lives and goals and have a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning.
- Personal Control – Resilient people spend their time and energy focusing on situations and events that they have control over.
Having a natural ability to bounce back has been part of her recovery.
Balance put her in a position to validate, that facing and owning, the many adversities that came her way could turn any disaster or trauma into a rewarding and educational experience.
Cindy currently lives in Cape Town after a sixteen-year stint in Durban. She travels around South Africa to share and encourage others to live positive lives and be supportive of HIV-positive individuals, as well as create awareness for those uninfected, to remain so.
Yes, I’ve found that same phenomenon here in the US. It’s always ‘someone else’. It’s not ‘us’; it’s ‘them’. I’ve had some close friends honestly acknowledge that this is why a mutual friend has spoken the way she has in the past. As another friend of mine says, “Low-risk is not the same as no-risk”, and that’s a distinction that many in the white hetero community still don’t want to make. Which puts them at-risk.
Glad to meet you. I also have a blog @ http://angiedub.livejournal.com
Firstly I would like to say you inspire me very much Cindy. Reading your story made me want to chat to you- it made me connect to you. I’m a 19 year old lady who is hiv and pregnant and I think I have accepted it but not fully but the thing is that the father of my unborn baby was the one who infected me and he doesn’t know that he’s got the virus,so I’m the one who will have to tell him and try to explain to him that I was negetive @ the time we met. But what I really need help on is how to let him know and understand that this is not a death sentence and we can still carry on with our lives regardless of our status. If you would be able to assist me can you please reply via the blog as I can’t check and read my emails and your help will be greatly appreciated-lots of love and take care
Hi, I am so sorry to hear of your predicament. I trust you will come to terms with your status as it need not be a death sentence if you take care of yourself.
What I would suggest is that you and your partner see a counsellor together as it will ease the process of disclosing your/his HIV status.
Where are you based, I could possibly assist in giving you someone in your area to contact for counselling.