We're that it's our responsibility to take care of ourselves. To do what we can on our own. To an extent that's fine, past that it's BS. That's fine until people feel you're pushing. By pushing, I mean, when you start advocating for yourself. Many of us don't have anyone else to stand up & speak for us. We have to do this for ourselves. If not, someone may make a decision that doesn't work for or nothing will get done at all.
When your HIV+, advocacy will be necessary. Throughout your life, you'll need to stand up for yourself. Here are some starting points. Be as educated about the subject as possible & that includes information about yourself. Read, search, discuss & go over it all again. Become the expert on you & your particular situation. No one knows you better than you.
Be proactive when you can & stay on top of things. Make appointments & keep them. Have questions prepared about what you need to know. Be ready with statements about what's going on with you & what you need.
These things can be emotional, but you need to remain as calm. Some people will use your emotions against you. Communicate as precisely as possible about your situation, needs & areas you need more information about.
Be thorough. Follow up on our appointments, get referrals, do your regimen. If something doesn't seem right, see about another opinion on the matter.
The last area is harder. If you can, build support. There's nothing in my area, but some cities have support groups & outreach centers. If there's nothing local, check online. That may not fill the void you need for socializing, but there may be info you're lacking. People there may know about meds, exams, doctors & what to expect down the road.
You're going to have bad encounters. There will those who won't do their jobs well, people who discriminate, those that avoid you... You can't do anything about those people. The best you can do is avoid them if possible. Know your rights as a client/patient & make sure they're upheld. File complaints, as objectively as possible.
So, identify your situation & needs. Educate yourself & try to form a plan. Communicate your needs. Then do it all over again until things run smoother. There will be adjustments down the line. Things will change for the better & worse, that's life. Go back to the beginning & reformulate the plan again.
Advocating can be tiresome & never ending. But if you don't, it's possible no one will. You deserve the best chance you can get.
Cya..
