Maurice's
Making
it into the 21st Century after living 17 years with HIV is a cause
for celebration. It also presents a time for thought. Too many friends
and people I admired are not here to share that celebration. I hope
that whatever achievements I have in the future I will always remember
those that were denied the chance. Maybe that thought will help keep
me focused on what is important and worthwhile in what lies ahead.
Counselling
I have recently benefited from one to one counselling
at the local branch of MIND. Counselling offered by MIND, allows you
space to sort yourself out with the aid of a listening ear and a supportive
soul. I guess like most things, you get out of it as much as you put
in and for some people it may not work at all. The psychological impact
of living with HIV is an issue that affects not only long term survivors,
like myself, but newly diagnosed and everyone in between. If you are
experiencing mental distress, for whatever reason, I would recommend
MIND and the North Staffs Users Group as sources of help well worth
considering.
On the Dunes at Corallejo |
Winter
Break
There is nothing like a bit of sun in the gloomy depths of winter
to lift your spirits and cheer you up. I was fortunate to escape to
Fuerteventura for a week and do just that. Described as a place of
desert and oasis that you love or hate, I definitely fell in love
with this volcanic island and its vast wind swept beaches. The Atlantic
rollers make Fuerteventura an ideal place for surfing. It was no surprised,
therefore, to find that the annual world wind surfing championships
are held on the Sotavento beach, which was right in front of the hotel
where I stayed. A coach tour of the island took me over the narrow
mountain roads to the ancient capital of Betancuria where there is
a delightful small Romanesque Cathedral with bell tower and its own
pozo (well) in the foreground. The coach took us right up to the north
of the island to the port and English resort of Corralejo.Close to
the pueblo are miles and miles of sand dunes. The contrast between
the affluent tourist settlements and the poor villages of the interior
is disturbing. Tourism is essential for the prosperity of this desert
island, so I felt comforted that my short break and locally spent
pesetas may have helped a tiny bit towards providing running water
and electricity to the locals. At present Fuerteventura is still largely
undeveloped and provides a haven of tranquillity for those looking
for a space to be still and at peace.
Summer Holidays
Some of you will no doubt be planning summer holidays. If you are
intending to travel abroad, you may
find Marcel Wiel’s 3 part guide for the HIV positive traveller useful.
Part one appeared in the May edition of Positive Nation. It covers
important issues like restrictions imposed by different countries
as well as helpful advice on transporting medication, inoculations
and travel insurance. It is the most comprehensive guide for HIV travellers
that I have come across - and that’s after reading just part one.
The two Open University courses I am studying are stimulating and
frustrating by turns but I am enjoying the challenge. It is clear
that I am going to need a lot more time to cover the work than the
course guides suggested. This means that I will have to cut back on
my existing commitments more than I thought would be necessary. Reluctantly,
this will entail vacating the editor’s chair of Positive Lives that
I have occupied for perhaps too long. I will continue to give whatever
support I can with the newsletter and peer support for HIV+ people.
Gay Doctor at Piccadilly Project
There is a new GP service for gay and bisexual men (the Rainbow Practice)
According to the Spring edition of the Pink Lobby. Dr Simon Smith,
a gay man himself, hopes to offer confidential advice and or treatment
to gay men who otherwise may be hesitant to talk things over with
a straight GP. The surgery will be open fortnightly on Wednesday evenings
from 7.00 -9.30pm. You can just drop in to the Piccadilly Project
in Hanley or book an appointment on 01782 400519.
Fact Sheets
Following a visit to the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital London, I
managed to obtain a complete set of their Information Exchange fact
sheets. They contain up to date information about drugs and treatment
/ life issues on single sheets of A4 paper. You can find them in the
back room of the Hanley centre in a maroon file envelope. If you want
to take a sheet away with you, please make a photo copy.
Project Help
I would love to hear from anyone who would like to be involved in
my project of community benefit – an interactive multimedia website
on Lesbian Gay & Bisexual mental health website. I am looking for
people with stories to tell (confidentially assured) to help with
the content and people with computer and internet skills to help with
site construction. Please contact me by email:
mozg@madasafish.com
Stay
well and take care
Maurice
