By Adam Donnelly

Kamloops woman’s struggle in overcoming HIV

Dec 1, 2016 | 4:10 PM

KAMLOOPS — Today is world aids day. A day to mark the memories of those people who have lost their battle with HIV and aids over the years, as well as an opportunity to recognize those still fighting the disease.

While the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS has changed along with how the disease is treated, make no mistake; it still exists. One Kamloops woman is speaking out after she’s overcome some significant obstacles on her journey with the illness.

Faith has been living with HIV for the past six years. Now a successful student at Thompson Rivers University, faith’s life had taken a complete 180-degree turn from the years immediately following her diagnosis, when she was living on streets, addicted to crack cocaine.

“I was sleeping outside. I had a camp by the river, where I stayed for two years, on and off, even in the middle of winter, because I was too afraid to face the community,” the woman, who wanted to be identified as Faith told CFJC Today.

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While heart-wrenching, this aspect of faith’s story isn’t unique. Often, those struggling with HIV and AIDSfind themselves on the margins of society, because of the stigma surrounding the disease.

“There was a point where I was actually put in a safe house because I wasn’t safe in the community,” Faith added.

Faith is now living a healthy, drug-free life – studying hard and getting good marks (sound up) and giving credit for that turnaround to the support she receives from Kira Haug and the folks from ASK Wellness.

“When it started… 24 years ago, it was an ASO [AIDs Service Organization], and some of those staff still work here,” Haug explained.

Kira has been with ASK Wellness for seven years now and has seen the group’s mandate change from a simple AIDS Support Organization, to an agency which offers support for many within the community. In that work, Kira says she’s inspired by her clients and gets as much out those relationships as she’s able to give.

“I have a great deal of pride and respect for the work [Faith] has done,” Haug says. “I’m very much an admirer of what Faith has done with her life, and if she isn’t a testament to resiliency, I don’t know who is.”

Thanks to improvements in the treatment regime for HIV and AIDS, Faith now lives a much more normal life, and by speaking out, she hopes to serve as an inspiration to others; while that stigma still exists, through perseverance and hard work, they too can turn their lives around.

“My heart goes out to those that are struggling, those that are hiding. I hope that I am an inspiration and a light to those that are struggling with this disease.”