Keep your letters rolling in...this issue we start with a very special letter written by one of our readers, a 19yr old daughter of a carer for an HIV+ person...

What is it? Can I catch it? Is it safe to touch him/her?

That is what most people think when they hear the words, HIV/AIDS. When I hear those words I think of a person who I know, and who I have grown to love as an added member of my family. You see, for the past 17 months I have shared my mums house with a special person whom I shall always care for, as he has shown me that there is much more to life than boybands, magazines and boyfriends, although they come a very close second (only joking).

He has made me realise that every day lived is to be cherished, as nobody knows what is around the corner. I have realised that petty fights with my brothers and sister rate o when it comes down to thinking .... What is around the corner. Will I be around for another day, week or month? Nobody really knows, which is why I am glad I have had the chance to share my life with this person. I mean, who knows what is out there? Life can be cruel sometimes which is why you have to take what life offers you, no matter how terrible, and just think to yourself “this is my life and I was given this life for a reason.”

Over the last 17 months I have watched this person go from bad to worse. Every day it seemed that there was something wrong with him, and all I could do was sit back and watch. It is terrible to see someone you care for go through so much pain and heartache, but saying that, time has gone by and, even though miracles have not occurred, things have got better.

There have been times when I wished that I could separate him from this part of my life because I know that one day this person, whom I care for, will not be around for me to talk to or ask advice. That brings tears to my eyes because I think “Why? Why should this person have to go?”

I can say now that knowing this person has been the best thing that has happened to me, because it has made my relationship with my family stronger. He has made me realise that HIV is just a word. I mean, I know that you cannot catch it by touching or sharing cups, even my little brother knows that , but you will always get someone who will treat you differently.... someone who has not shared their life with a person who has HIV. At least I can say now, with my head held high, that I have, and I am honoured to have had the pleasure of sharing it with who I have, and if I had the chance of living the last 17 months all over again, I would, and I would not change a single day.

I will end now by saying thank you to that special person. Thank you for sharing your life with those who are your family now.

 

(name and address supplied)

Toxoplasmosis

A Hanley reader has sent in letters on the subject of Toxoplasmosis. It seemed impracticable to include them all in this space. However, we think it is important to draw your attention to some points raised in them.

Toxoplasmosis can be a particular problem for people whose immune systems are damaged

There are errors in the new nam directory about Toxoplasmosis

We have leaflets in the Hanley resources room produced by The Toxoplasmosis Trust which tells you about the disease and how you can avoid catching it.

Irene, the writer of the letters has promised us an article, for a future edition of the newsletter. If you would like further information or would like to talk to someone about Toxoplasmosis, please contact

THE TOXOPLASMOSIS TRUST

61-71 Collier St London, N1 9BE

Office 0171 713 0663

Help line 0171 713 0599

@bsolutely f@bulous!!
I have just been and visited your website and felt compelled to write and congratulate you on your new-look. Wow! It must have taken a lot of time and effort to produce such a professional looking site.

I love the new “look” with its soft, gentle graphics and simple, yet very professional feel. Too many websites these days are full of complicated graphics and effects that often I cannot be bothered to spend time (and money) trying to find my way around for the information that I need, so I give up after a few minutes and find another site which will give me the information that I want.

I found your site to be extremely “user friendly” (a much over used and often misunderstood term) and was able to get the details I was looking for in a matter of minutes. I was looking for information about the different drugs available and being able to type one or two words into your search page meant I found it in seconds instead of spending hours ploughing through complicated indexes (which I’ve done at other websites.)

Finally, I looked at Positive Lives “on-line” and was amazed at the difference it made being in colour. Being used to reading it in black and white meant I was almost shocked when I saw how different the photographs looked! And I’d never have thought about background music! It was interesting too to see how Positive Lives has changed and matured since the early days, and slightly nostalgic reading all the back issues.

Well done Staffordshire Buddies!

(letter received by email)