Independent Living does not mean that we want to do everything by ourselves and do not need anybody or that we want to live in isolation.
Independent Living means that we seek the same choices and control in our every-day lives that our neighbors and friends take for granted. We want to grow up in our families, go to the neighborhood school, use the same bus as our neighbors, work in jobs that are in line with our education and interests, and start families of our own with self-determination, equal opportunities and self-respect.
The key to living with HIV is staying healthy and making healthy life choices. Staying healthy is preventative; doing those things to keep you from getting sick. Taking your medicines each and everyday; and exercising and eating healthy are just a few examples of preventative measures you can take to stay healthy.
The initial shock, disbelief, and fear of an HIV diagnosis can make those first days almost unbearable. For some, the answer is to run; an attempt to escape the inevitability of their diagnosis. For others, the answer is in the bottom of a liquor bottle or is mixed in a syringe.
The extent of stigma and discrimination against Malaysians living with HIV in the society is alarming. According to a survey sponsored by Synovate (M) Sdn Bhd in 2008, “Three out of four Malaysians said they would feel ashamed if they were infected with HIV, while one out of two said they would feel ashamed if someone in their family had HIV and AIDS.
“Medication is important, but equally important is that one needs support from friends and family, and an environment free from stigma and discrimination.
http://vimeo.com/14604778 Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michelle Sidibe speaks about what inspires him in the fight against HIV, the new movement of young people leading in the fight against HIV and how MTV Staying Alive are playing their part in creating a space for these young people to thrive.
To what extent do you feel young people are leading in HIV prevention? And what do you think is the most effective way of getting HIV prevention messages out to young people in your country?
AIDS has not gone away. In 2008, 1.7 million adults and 280,000 children under 15 years died due to AIDS, and 2.7 million people were newly infected. According to WHO and UNAIDS, the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age is still AIDS.
Although most HIV cases in Malaysia were due to injecting drug users, there had also been an increase of up to 29.9% due to heterosexual relationship. The rise in the number of women being infected with HIV is an indication that the disease has gone beyond affecting just drug users and sex workers.
We can all do to help stop the spread of HIV by getting an HIV test and urging our loved ones to do the same. It’s a small thing that will have a huge impact.
Did you know that 20 percent of people living with HIV have no idea they are infected? Did you also know that experts believe that those 20 percent are responsible for 70 percent of all new infections? The huge impact being unaware of an HIV infection plays in the spread of HIV. So getting people tested must be a high priority if the spread of HIV is to be slowed or halted. We can all raise awareness of the importance of getting tested for HIV. By spreading the word each and everyday, we can all help put an end to the spread of HIV.
Almost half of all new HIV infections in the world are among people under 25. Estimates show that more than 7,400 people become infected with HIV daily, 3,300 of whom are young people. Globally, 5.4 million young people are living with HIV. Young women under age 25 are… at an even greater risk for HIV infection and comprise 57.4% of infected youth.