Positive And Active; Follow John's Story

Life has to go on. You have a life and it us upon you to lead a quality life. You have heard these words. Perhaps they are your own mantra. Let us break this down frame by frame.

First there is what is known as context in which you find yourself thriving and serving. This is a broad range of factors such as your own personality traits, character in the face of relating with other people or challenges, sexuality, race, gender identity, socioeconomic conditions and how these impact your sense of being and mental health. It is this that shapes your background.

Your background is made more realistic, perceptible and is rooted in what you express as needs which you address, satisfy and define your understanding of a fulfilled life. It is this that service providers try to help you with when you approach them with any need. Addressing your needs is called therapy, counseling, guidance, support or formation. The needs fall in many categories and when fulfilled make one living with HIV positively focused and active:

Individual Therapy

Marital and Family Therapy

Life Transition Counseling

John (not real name) lives with HIV, he has frequent night sweats and he is on ARVs. His planned activities include seeing a health worker or check up. This is what he did. The clinic results showed he did not have TB and the fever was treated. His ARVs were refilled and he now has a supply for next three months. John has a wife and two children. The wife is a stay home mother who runs a busy grocery store. The children go to school and both of them are doing well. John finds time to help at the family grocery. John, was a social worker with the Uganda Prison Services and had to retire in order to concentrate on looking after himself. At first he found it hard to transition from a well paid regular job with perks to one where he needed to help his wife run a grocery shop. But, after 7 years they are managing well.

Grief and Loss Counseling

John (not real names) helps other people to cope with HIV. He gives testimonies and these have helped many face up with the life changing aspects of HIV.

Trauma-Focused Therapy

Child and Adolescent Counseling

John (not real name) helps other people to cope with HIV. He gives testimonies and these have helped many face up with the life changing aspects of HIV. John has helped many like him go to seek trauma counseling and this has helped many open up and face the reality of living with HIV. John works part time as a volunteer at the nearby youth drop by center. He helps train youth in life planning skills including intra-personal self determination; interpersonal relationship building; accountability and responsibility bearing.

Family/Domestic Violence Counseling

John is familiar with domestic violence following an HIV test results. In most cases it has involved concordant and discordant partners. John has made it possible for couples he works with to know that HIV is not a death sentence. He promotes dignity affirming skills and practices in the communities he works with.

Divorce, surrogacy and Step-Family Counseling

Many families have taken on responsibilities as a result of deaths of bread winners. Others have broken due to HIV diagnosis. John has

Substance Abuse Counseling

Many people take up recreational substance use but eventually this becomes an addiction. It is so common that even the who hide their stress are hard to notice until it is near too late or too late. When it becomes common to rely on substances, then people are depressed and they need help. John has been a go to person who has helped provide information, education and communication on how to use other alternatives to address life’s challenges.

Addictions Counseling

There are those who agree to make an effort to give up addictions and they in turn accept to be referred for further support. Further support includes: weight issues, infection prevention, genetic disorders and other complications.

Gender Issues in Counseling

These include gender roles, norms, preparation, sexuality, orientation, identity and health

Clinical Consultation and Supervision

This includes plans to attend clinics, escorting, nursing and care following discharge from hospitals, health centers or clinics.

Presentations and negotiating your anxieties, fears or achievements

This involves any other matters people bring up pertaining to leading a productive life.

Work related support

Work is important and through work, one is able to learn productive skills, earn money as well as transfer knowledge and skills to others. This makes one a mentor. John has been involved in this area quite a lot.

Community and social integration support

The work skills increase one’s participation in the affairs of one’s society. This improves on one’s social standing and esteem.

Civic duty and leadership roles

Participating in community or social affairs makes one a reliable and dependable person. One can easily assume responsibilities or guide others in being more productive to others.

Life has to go on. You have a life and it us upon you to lead a quality life. You have heard these words. Perhaps they are your own mantra. We hope in the pictures we are able to break this down frame by frame.