[procaare] HCC:Post Conference discussion -48

[Insight Initiative Team <insight@hdnet.org>]

HCC: Post Conference discussion - 48
- HDN Key Correspondents/Rapporteur Team,Thailand
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'Acceptance and Disclosure - Keys to Positive Living'

Susan Paxton, APN+, Australia, opened the session by saying "it is really hard to be open
with ones' status". Disclosure of HIV status is not as easy as telling somebody that you
are suffering from a chronic illness or even other terminal diseases. Although disclosure
helps dramatically to release the anxiety and burden of keeping a secret, without help and
support, it remains difficult and facing and dealing with many related negative side
effects complicates matters more.

Stigmatisation related to HIV/AIDS impacts heavily on disclosure. The negative portrayal
of PLHAs was blamed as a means of increasing stigmatisation. Additionally the taboos
around sex in many countries have resulted in PLHA's being seen as immoral. The lack of
proper information as well as counselling for both PLHAs and their families creates
further barriers.

'Helping mechanisms' to overcome these barriers so as to promote acceptance and disclosure
were cited. Kaushalya Periasamy, from India mentioned that support from peer networking
and "unconditional love" from their families had helped them to come to terms with their
situation and live positively.

Some PLHAs accepted their HIV status and disclosed to the public because they felt that
they would not only like to improve their own lives but also provide support to other
vulnerable people. This was clearly demonstrated by Jon, Thailand, who used his life to
mobilise community participation and AIDS action. His words are a testimony to this,
"Before I was diagnosed as HIV positive, I spent my time uselessly only thinking of
myself. HIV has made me think of my family and my community. I think that this is my
rebirth to a new life. Thanks to HIV. "Marie Bopp, French Polynesia, Kaushalya Periasamy,
India, and Susan Paxton, Australia echoed these sentiments.

Finally it was felt that the solution to self-acceptance and disclosure is primarily based
on the self-education and self-awareness of PLHA's along with the psychological support
from family members, peers, and all others who are around to support them.


HDN Key Correspondent Team
Rapporteur Team
E-mail: correspondents@hdnet.org

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The Insight Initiative Project is managed by Health & Development Networks (HDN) in
collaboration with the Thailand Red Cross Society, the World Health Organization and the
Royal Thailand Government, with financial support from AusAid and UNAIDS.

For more information about this project (the 'Insight Initiative'), visit the HDN website
at: http://www.hdnet.org

Fifth International Conference on Home and Community Care for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS
Chiang Mai, Thailand - 17-20 December 2001
Website: http://www.hiv2001.com


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