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Published Sunday June 15, 2008
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados
By Body Health Resources Foundation
STEP 2: Getting Connected to Support
No matter how strong you might be, an HIV diagnosis is something that
nobody* should face alone. Make sure you connect with the community of
HIV-positive people. It's one of the best steps you can take to begin to
solve both the emotional and practical problems of living with HIV.
Chicago native Greg Braxton is the perfect example of someone who
successfully reached out and got the services he needed. An alcoholic and a
crack cocaine addict for 27 years, when he left drug treatment for the last
time five years ago, he knew he needed to stay away from his old
neighborhood. He found a place that offered day programmes for people with
HIV and he applied for supportive housing. He said it was a critical
stepping-stone. "I doubt if I would have made it, if I had gone straight to
independent living, because I wouldn't have any support or any restraints.
And I probably would have relapsed."
Start by Contacting Your Local HIV/AIDS Organization.
Knowing *when* you need help is vital. An HIV/AIDS organization can be a
lifeline. Many organizations have case managers who can help you move
forward on many of your health care issues. You'll find most or all of the
following at HIV/AIDS organizations:
HIV support groups
Mental health and substance abuse counseling
Case managers who can connect you to government aid you may need, such
as Medicaid, disability insurance, medication assistance
Expert information on HIV and nutrition, fitness and other issues
HIV treatment information and adherence workshops to help with taking
HIV medications
HIV prevention counseling, safe sex workshops and free condoms
Most big cities have several HIV/AIDS organizations geared to meet the needs
of different populations.
STEP 3: Finding Quality Health Care
Even if you don't need treatment yet, you'll still need to find a medical
professional experienced in treating people with HIV. Regular checkups with
an HIV health care provider are extremely important, even when you don't
feel sick.
You'll need to find a health care provider (this could be a physician, nurse
practitioner or physician assistant) with special training in HIV who has
treated 20 or more people with HIV in the past two years. You'll want
someone who stays on top of the newest information about HIV medications,
tests and other issues.
However, it's just as important to choose someone you *like*, someone you
feel you can trust and be open with. This means you'll need to find someone
you can be honest with about sensitive issues -- everything from sex, drugs
and alcohol use to missing doses of HIV meds.
Your health care provider is your *partner* in fighting the virus. She or he
will be your ally for a long time, helping you deal with the ups and downs
of HIV disease, the drugs that control the virus, the side effects that may
come with the drugs, and many other health issues. You need to be completely
open with your health care provider in order for him or her to do their job
-- which is to help you stay healthy.
Every person living with HIV deserves the best care possible, regardless of
ability to pay. The good news is, not only do you *deserve* the best care,
you *can* get it.
There's a nationwide network of services, programs and resources to help
people with HIV remain healthy -- even people who have no insurance or low
incomes.
Many big cities have state-of-the- art HIV clinics for people who have no
insurance. When you enroll in these clinics, you get medical care from a top
team of HIV health care providers as well as counseling and support for
mental health, substance abuse and other issues. You may be assigned to a
case manager, who will become the person you can turn to first for whatever
help you need -- such as figuring out which government programs can pay for
your HIV medications and HIV care.
Live in a rural area? Getting the best HIV care possible may mean traveling
to the nearest city several times a year -- an extra effort, but one that
will repay you with better health.
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