To death’s door ... and back again

LISA, an educated mother of three who is HIV positive, recalls the day her nightmare began — December 2, 2002.

She went for a regular check-up and was shocked at the HIV positive result. “I thought I would be dead or very sick before my three children grew up,” says Lisa. “The hardest part was telling my children and wondering how the news of their mother’s medical condition might impact their lives. I found I had to accept the diagnosis first before disclosing my illness to anyone.”

Lisa found herself living in isolation for the first few years after her diagnosis. It affected her relationships. “I would not allow myself to get close to people.” Lisa explains: “The thing with HIV is that you roll along fine until you have to disclose your illness to someone, and then you hit a block where you need the help of others.”