Debbie Stacey who offers massage treatments to people who are HIV positive
Hands on
By Joanna Codd
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Debbie Stacey who offers massage treatments to people who are HIV positive |
MORE than two decades on from the first Aids death in the UK, people who are HIV positive are still experiencing the stigma of the early days.
"People don't want to know. They think you brought it on yourself. I shall be in church on Sunday and if half of the congregation knew, they probably wouldn't want to sit next to me," said Michael (not his real name), who was diagnosed as HIV-positive four years ago.
He has had few partners in his life, but then it only takes one. He believes he was given HIV by a girlfriend who concealed her intravenous drug use behind insulin injections for her diabetes.
Michael says: "I spent two years thinking I was going to die. People have seen Aids victims and have them stuck in their minds. If you have cancer, people have every sympathy. Generally the idea is that HIV is self-inflicted and people have no sympathy."
Despite public attitudes, Michael says: "I'm lucky I have HIV. If I had cancer, I would have gone three or four years ago, but I'm alive. The drugs are working and I feel quite good."
He is one of those to benefit from complementary therapy at the charity Body Positive's centre in Bournemouth. Michael has found that the treatment gives his immune system a boost, as well as making him feel better.
Debbie Stacey trained as a masseuse before setting up a company. "I don't get a lot of time to do massage so I wanted to find a local charity where I could do it," she explained. "I come in once every three weeks for three hours.
"It helps people relax - life can be pretty hectic for all of us, but it's doubly hard for people who are suffering in some way or another. This is their time. They don't have to worry about anyone else's feelings."
She adds: "I was surprised about the stigma when I joined. Princess Diana was out there shaking people's hands when I was 18. I'm amazed at how many youngsters still don't know anything about HIV Aids. People tend to think there is a cure for it. There isn't.
"Sometimes people are just frightened. Everyone has a chance of getting cancer and everyone has a chance of getting Aids."
Anyone worried that they may have picked up a sexually transmitted infection should contact their GP. For more information, see the Bournemouth and Poole website f-risky.co.uk.