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Piason Maringwa
God in his infinite wisdom created us in such a way that we are not pre-occupied with certain realities until we come face to face with them.
Every day people pass through or near mortuaries, hospitals, prisons, and other such places without ever thinking that one day they might be guests at such places.
In hindsight, this is good for our mental health because if we spend our time thinking about these things our lives would be very miserable.
It is beneficial however to occasionally think about those places because one day any one of us might be shocked to find ourselves there.
I had never imagined myself in a hospital bed but in September 1999 I was admitted at St Luke’s Hospital near Lupane and I spent nearly four months there undergoing TB reatment.
I can say with certainty that some people have died from the shock of just being in a hospital bed.
The fear of sleeping in the same bed where someone has died before can sometimes shock someone to death.
Good health is a season that passes and is usually followed by a season of poor or ill health.
Everyone should be prepared for both sides of the health calendar so as not to be taken by surprise when they eventually fall ill.
Many HIV+ people find it very hard to accept their new status even though they expect others to be brave when they fall ill.
I remember how I felt when my friend who was living with Aids used to groan and moan with pain and how I thought he was a nuisance because he used to seek attention from all around him even when we wanted to go out and enjoy ourselves.
Despite the untold suffering that HIV/AIDS has brought to those living with it and those close to people living with it.
It does not discriminate it affects anyone, whether tall, short, rich, poor, powerful, a child or adult.
It was not long after my friend died that I also learnt that I had HIV. This was after I was diagnosed with TB.
The problem with many HIV+ people is that they suffer from the victim mentality which makes it difficult for them to cope with their new positive status.
Most of them want to find someone to blame for their affliction yet most have themselves to blame. In my case, I brought the disease onto myself.
There are many disadvantages of adopting the blame mentality because it makes one a real victim and diverts one’s attention from reality making treatment and coping difficult.
One should learn to accept reality and learn to cope with the new situation. Feeling sorry for yourself or expecting sympathy from other people will not help at all.
HIV/AIDS can come with many horrible afflictions which can make even your friends and relatives shun you.
AIDS weakens your immune system and exposes you to debilitating diseases like cancers and other very frightening conditions.
Doctors are very strong people because they are confronted with such conditions almost on a daily basis.
I know of a young HIV+ lady who was struck by cancer that destroyed much of her private parts making going to the toilet very difficult or almost impossible.
In such a situation only those who love you can spare the time to be with you and to take care of you. Most people in such situations normally die alone.
Usually, death takes very long to come under such circumstances and all you have to do is wait patiently.
Most adults have many frightening stories to tell about the horrible diseases they have witnessed since the advent of HIV/AIDs.
People must all try to avoid negative feelings that make us victims hence creating a feeling of pity for ourselves.
Every HIV person should be brave enough and face their situation bravely. Feeling pity for oneself will only worsen the situation.
Online Reporter