Stephen Fry : HIV and Me

[Dymetrie]

Well I've just watched the second part of this documentary and have been astounded at some of the stories and facts which have been revealed by it.

Most notable is the fact that a third of the people with HIV in this country are unaware of it (although not surprising considering the current levels of promiscuity amongst the youths of this country) and the fact that over 25 million (yes, a figure which is worryingly close to half the population of this country!) people in Uganda are infected.

The way in which the documentary was handled was amazing. Stephen Fry was the perfect person to present it as he is such a reassuring and empathising person. The way in which he presented the facts and spoke to those people who were open about their status was brilliant and he has earned even more respect from me than he already had.

The courage of the people who were included in the programme was heartening as, due to new drug treatments, the most debilitating thing about HIV/AIDS now is not the disease(s) itself but rather the stigma which comes with it.

The final story had me almost crying out in astonishment. A man who was born a heamophiliac, contracted HIV in the mid/late 80s through a blood transfusion, was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma at the end of the 90s and has now been told that he is going to die of liver disease. Yet through all of this he has not only married but has two children (both of whom are HIV negative, as is his wife) and refuses to give up.

More information here.

Although I was completely open minded about not only the disease, but also about those with the disease before watching this two-part documentary it has opened my eyes even more to how devestating it can be, not only to the physical health of an individual, but also their mental health and self-esteem because of the reactions from others.