Cindy shared how she overcame her war,living a life of purpose & educating those she can to live positively.
Speaking at International Women’s Peace Group
“We need to educate that there is life after diagnosis”
#OvercomingYourWar #ConversationsforPeace
‘AIDS Season’: The term I use for this time of the year.
What……is wrong with the rest of the year? Have people become complacent?
Is nobody at risk of HIV infection during the period of 11 months prior to WAD as I only receive an influx of enquiries and all for the same date, 1st Dec?
I am quite sure that Wellness Days are implemented throughout the year, if they aren’t, they should be, as communities need reminding. People believe ‘IT’ doesn’t affect them and turn a blind eye to the possibilities and in many cases engage in risky behaviour. (Not just SEX but alcohol and drug abuse amongst some of the issues that cause risky behaviour leading to HIV infection as well as STI’s)
I do appreciate the attention #HIV & #AIDS receives around this time of the year but to think that ‘IT’ has been taken care of until the next year is like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand, pretty useless!
If the pandemic is given the attention it deserves we would not have the HIGH number of infections that are happening in #SouthAfrica 400 and 350 THOUSAND respectively in 2012 and 2014. (Those that tested and know their status). #just saying
On that note:
I am pleased to say that I have a week-long diary filled with speaking engagements, a total of TEN Speaking engagements and an order for 40 of my books titled ‘The Deadly Seducer’.
Even though all the NPO/SARS documentation is delayed, I am going ahead with two engagements where the remuneration will be delayed due to this minor issue.
And to TOP the run up to the end of 2015 I will be hosting an ongoing Public Chat on Viber (check viber.com also on FB) when the South African forum is officially launched.
Get ready to follow the conversations which will include various guests and HIV involved celebrities that are willing to chat and contribute.
If you have input of value that is related in any form to HIV & AIDS feel free to contact me and get your name on the ‘hit’ list ASAP!
Email: cindy@cindypivacic.co.za
Wishing you all an informative
World AIDS DAY
😉
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
THINK
OPEN your eyes and see what is going on around you.
OPEN your mouth and speak about what is happening in South Africa.
People will not THINK you are HIV Positive if you talk about HIV they will thank you for taking the trouble to discuss and share any any information you have.
At the same time you will be assisting in removing the #Stigma & #Discrimination that still exists.
#DoYourBit for #SouthAfrica #worktogether
I speak OUT as an HIV Positive person, will you speak UP for others?
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
Interviewed for SANAC – South African National AIDS Council
#zerostigma #zerodiscrimination
Cindy Pivacic, 56. Her partner infected her whilst he was aware of his HIV status.
“It took me six years to actually go public about my status. Rejection, that I think is probably the greatest fear that you are going to be rejected, however, after the six years I decided well you know what, if people don’t want to be around me well, I don’t need them. ”
With the advent of my HI virus status hitting the TEN year mark on the 11th November 2014, I would like to share the following:
HIV & AIDS is NOT a Shame,
Cindy Pivacic is this Babes name,
Trainer-Speaker-Author-Activist,
Living positively with HIV and AIDS,
In 2012, 400 thousand new infections strong,
South Africa, we are doing something wrong,
We can change AIDS – A. I. D. S,
Action Involves Doing Something,
#TakeCareBeAware
Furthermore, I plan to commemorate this milestone with a 10yr tattoo, watch this space….. Cindy Pivacic
