The World AIDS Day Limburg Foundation is organizing an extensive program in the Schunck library on Friday.
With the theme ‘Is AIDS still relevant today’, the foundation wants to draw attention to the disease and in particular the stigma that many people with HIV face.
Experienced expert Henk Offermans was diagnosed in 1995 and understands why many people do not dare to talk about it. “I had less trouble with it in my private life, but at work I was playing hide and seek,” says Offermans. “I couldn’t handle it anymore and asked my manager if I could tell my colleagues. I was allowed to and it was a great relief. Many people also do not know that if the virus is no longer detectable in your blood after a year, you can no longer transmit the virus to anyone else. I think that if many people know this, the stigma will be reduced.
Chairman Antoine van Lune says that shame is most prevalent among people who work in healthcare. “That is striking, because these are the people who should normally have the most knowledge about HIV.”
World AIDS Day has set up a program for anyone who is interested. The program on December 1 will open with an opportunity for participants to eat together at De Twee Gezusters.
This will be followed by a reflection service in the Theresia Chapel. This service is a long-standing tradition on World AIDS Day. During the service, loved ones from the past and present are remembered.
After the reflection service, a lecture and panel discussion will take place in the SCHUNCK Library about self-stigma in people with (chronic) illnesses under the title “why would you be ashamed of your illness?!”. The lecture will be given by Prof. Dr. Arjen Bos (Open University).
After the lecture there will be a panel discussion with Prof. Dr. Arjen Bos, Armand Winthagen (director Toon Hermanshuis Parkstad) and an expert by experience. After the program, a closing drink will take place in Café Tess. During the drinks there will be an opportunity for visitors to the program to chat. The full program on Friday, December 1 is freely accessible to everyone.
2023-11-29 13:27:52
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