Dwelling with HIV on Bonaire: Bella’s Story and the Taboo Surrounding it

By Caribbean Community | Marit Severijnse

* Bella (56) has been residing with HIV for 26 years. For the primary time, she shares her story underneath a unique title. “Bonaire is small, however hopefully my story will increase consciousness. You may stay a traditional life with HIV. However it’s nonetheless a giant taboo. “

Can you are taking us again to the second you came upon?
“It was an actual shock. It was throughout my being pregnant, after I went to the physician for a checkup. Happily, I’ve a constructive perspective, so I all the time look ahead. Nevertheless it was arduous to listen to. ”

It’s now 26 years in the past. ToWhat’s it wish to stay with HIV?
“I take my remedy on daily basis and I’ve to be examined twice a yr, however in any other case I stay my life usually. I am glad. There are worse issues, like most cancers.

At first it apprehensive me extra. Then it was arduous for me to just accept it. Now I solely need to take 1 tablet a day, however on the time I took as much as 12 typically!

Then typically I’d take it and different instances I would not, as a result of I did not know the way necessary it was. Prior to now, the steerage was not the identical as it’s now.

However fortunately I by no means thought of loss of life. I had no worry that I’d die from it.”

Are you able to discuss it? met your surroundings?
“I do not like to speak about it as a result of not everybody understands it. My present companion and my kids find out about it. If somebody near me comes out about it, I’d share it.

My companion, who gave it to me, most popular to not discuss it. He felt responsible for bringing it residence.”

Has sexuality and safety in opposition to STDs been mentioned earlier than inside your loved ones? Or simply after you’re constructive?
“To be trustworthy, it wasn’t a subject I used to be discussing with my kids on the time. I wasn’t conscious of myself and I did not have the identical mindset as I’m now. At the moment I feel that’s as much as the dad and mom. I’ll discuss to my grandson about this.”

Is there now sufficient consideration to HIV on Bonaire?
“No, that is lacking. There’s nonetheless a stigma round it. For instance, additionally within the office. For instance, I used to be rejected for a job due to my situation. I feel that must be carried out with sufficient information and perhaps worry of damaging a picture.

It is very important increase consciousness on a big scale. For instance with a long run marketing campaign. It will even be good if there was a assist group for people who find themselves constructive.”

Persons are nonetheless afraid of checks. What would you say to hin need to say?
“I feel that is largely resulting from disgrace. My disgrace that the group will discover out, worry of what the household will assume, fear about whether or not they are going to nonetheless be capable of discover a companion… However I’d say: simply get examined. Solely then will you recognize extra.”

And if they’re actually constructive? What ought to they know then?
“You may have quite a lot of questions, however you may get good steerage. If you happen to take your remedy, go to checkups and take excellent care of your self, you don’t have anything to worry. Then you do not have to consider loss of life. You’ll die sooner or later, however not from HIV.”

Do you additionally assume they need to discuss it with these round them?
“I feel it will depend on what your loved ones is like. Some is not going to settle for it. If your loved ones shouldn’t be conscious of the topic, it might probably create an disagreeable state of affairs. Then I might say I might quite not. Be sure you are nicely knowledgeable so that you could be robust.”

However when you preserve silent on function, whoCan we break the taboo then?
“That relies upon so much on enhancements in HIV consciousness. And what circle are you in.”

* A well-recognized title to the Caribbean Community editorial staff

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