The 2023 theme for Women’s History Month is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories."
HIV activist Ana Oliveira is sharing her story to inspire others and help to break down HIV stigma and discrimination. Read part 1 here.
Here is part 2 where Ana shares her status with her loved ones and starts to move forward.....
I shared my HIV status to my children at different times and they were very supportive. They were the ones who encouraged me to become an advocate and my Instagram page was set up with their help.
Then I progressively shared my status with my extended family and close friends. Telling my mum was nerve wracking but it turned out to be a very positive response.
To my surprise, she knew all about the difference between the virus and the late stage of HIV, she just wasn’t too sure about the treatment itself. I explained that I only take one pill a day. She lifted up her shirt and said “better than my treatment for diabetes… look at my belly ruined by insulin injections”.
Then she hugged me tight and said: “Don’t cry my daughter, I know you will not fall ill, as you are on treatment, but if you fall ill I will feed you”. Then she said how proud she is to have me as her daughter and that she would never turn her back on me.
I knew this day was the beginning of finding myself again.
My faith and the unconditional love of my children, family and friends are my rock.
Attending therapy, getting involved with George House Trust and developing strong links with the HIV community has created miracles.
With time, I started to realise that the labels imposed by others don’t define me. And by looking at stigma in this way I kind of understood that the first change needed to come from within. Only then I could find strength to fight the stigma of others.
I learned how to deal with my emotions and day by day I’m detaching myself from the pain that once drove me to the edge. I would say that I’m still going through the healing journey in terms of how I become HIV positive. I call it the hidden pain of HIV.
But I can firmly say that accepting my diagnosis and being public about it has definitely changed the narrative.
I share my story to inspire others and help to break down stigma and discrimination.
Ana Oliveira 14th March 2023