February 2011

Life in the country is oh so very different from the city, here the seasons prevail and given we try to keep a productive garden space in terms of food and fruit it is essential we feel to encourage interaction with insects and birds which in turn improves pollination with a natural control of pests. The pond is already alive with activity and in my meditation area the warm sunshine promotes a feeling of wellbeing with a lovely early blast of vitamin D.

In terms of our health within the HIV community well I count my lucky stars that for me another year is here enjoying good health which is managed jointly by myself with the support of my clinic.

I continue to maintain high CD4 in tandem with undetectable viral load which is great. It is only the trials of middle age that haunt me these days it seems.

Is this an issue for us long term survivors? is it the HIV or our ageing process of course we do not know entirely but it is a little to easy to assume our status is the root of any health worries and crucially there is no other measure of how we are today, given we are the longest living to date.

I do feel that psychologically we have some serious issues to confront us coming down the line which will effect how we are in older age but no doubt new ways of treating us will continue to be headlined.

The role of support services is of considerable concern right now given the savings to health budgets. What will be available to offer our community support in the next couple of years? Will the services of organisations like Terrence Higgins Trust continue as we know them? My own feeling is that change is inevitable and in some ways good as our own needs adapt to health management.

It is absolutely essential Terrence Higgins Trust and your local HIV network continue the great work the staff and volunteers are able to do especially around education, newly diagnosed, prevention whilst remembering the ones who have been living with HIV for many years.

The services at Terrence Higgins Trust in Brighton are a cornerstone of advice and support in this localised community, long may it continue.I am going to have my face filled with nufil in two weeks time which is going to be my 10th year of receiving this fantastic service which really helps to regain self esteem and worth. The gain is certainly worth the pain.

More soon.

Richard

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