God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

01/08/2013 • 1:14 pm Comments Off on In the press…

In the press…

There are two new articles of interest, one describing advances in a therapeutic vaccine, the other reports an interesting observation which could lead to a new approach regarding functional cure.

Cure: Curious Cohort on early treatment – read here
New HIV Vaccine is safe – read here

Another piece I found is the letter of a HIV positive mother, writing to her healthy future grown up son confessing her infection. A letter full of emotions and truth – read here

Enjoy reading!

Filed under: General, HIV and AIDS, HIV Treatment, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , ,

01/05/2013 • 8:42 am Comments Off on How long do I live when HIV positive?

How long do I live when HIV positive?

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy (Photo credit: Greatist)

A good question and first the good news: People with HIV may enjoy life spans close to normal if they are on antiretroviral therapy, maintain low viral loads and CD4 counts above 350, are not co infected with viral hepatitis, and are not injection drug users, according to a new study from the United Kingdom, aidsmap reports. It is an interesting report giving hope to those thinking, that HIV might cut their life too short to live it to the fullest. A good starting point to read it at the beginning of the year. Click here

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Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , ,

12/29/2012 • 11:19 pm Comments Off on Lucky I

Lucky I

End of the year is always a time to look back on one’s life, achievements and failures and the big question is whether with age also some more wisdom came to the surface.
Everybody must do this review for himself – for me, looking back I can only say: Lucky I or better I was blessed.
It was a tough year but I am still alive, lots of failures during the year, but I am still standing on two feet and feel growth, lots of great moments and still hungry for life, lots of love and I am very grateful for this.

The small moments made this year so valuable, the intimate moments with friends sharing life in a way one normally would not trust to do. The duties and services done and being able to touch the lives of other people. The sermons being not a one way road but begin of a meaningful discussion. HOPE Cape Town with all the great people working for and with the organization – even if there were tough moments to find a way forward serving those infected and affected by the pandemic. My contacts with sponsors and donors in South Africa and Germany, the HOPE Gala in Dresden, the Ball of HOPE in Cape Town and the invite to join the German AIDS Foundation in Berlin for the Festliche AIDS Gala.

Being able to speak to students, address groups, NGO’s , church communities and other entities – be it on land or on a cruise ship – it all made my life much more lively and beautiful. Meeting delegations, politicians, students, tourists – all interested in the work we are doing here in Cape Town – how good it is always being challenged by good questions and the interest in knowing it all.

Well, so at the end of the year I feel blessed with all the family, friends, supporters and even those struggling with me as they are needed to keep the boat of life going in the right direction. Thanks for all the good and the challenges and I am looking forward to a great 2013 with lots of all shades life has to offer. Knowing that at the end all comes together in what we Christians are calling God and who is named differently depending on each believe system – I am not afraid of what lies ahead.

How about u?

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Filed under: General, HOPE Cape Town Association, Networking, Reflection, , , , , , , , ,

12/27/2012 • 5:36 pm Comments Off on Different worlds

Different worlds

Being on a cruise liner as a chaplain means also to be exposed to many different people and talking about God, the world, HOPE Cape Town and obviously HIV and AIDS. And suddenly one realizes again how different the worlds are we are living in. Standing casually last night watching the evening show I was chatting with the medical doctor on board. Naturally we are in close contact as our work portfolios touch each other and this time, we spend even more time together chatting and befriending each other besides the work. Speaking about my experience of HIV and AIDS in South Africa and my question, whether there are HIV rapid test on board the good doctor is not sure whether there are. In the ongoing conversation he admits never having treated a case of HIV and as the discussion goes along, he mentioned that in the case he would encounter such a case on board, he would advice the person to leave the ship. I was stunned. Not that he had any reservations or discriminatory thoughts about people living with HIV. It was simple, that for him, HIV was an unknown syndrome, not present while he was studying and never present to his knowledge in his rooms.

Knowing how he cares about patients I wondered till I was falling asleep that for me HIV was such a “normal” factor of life while for him it was something unknown in practice and even far away in theory. Indeed different worlds and a reminder, that often we think, our environment, our knowledge, our expertise is normal to all others – and it is not. I hope that my talk tomorrow about the work we are doing with HOPE Cape Town in South Africa will open up some minds and hearts and contribute to a better dealing with HIV and AIDS in an European environment.

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Filed under: General, HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , ,

12/18/2012 • 8:51 am Comments Off on Interesting articles from all over the world

Interesting articles from all over the world

AIDS awareness in Chimoio

AIDS awareness in Chimoio (Photo credit: tonrulkens)

Another shot on interesting articles to broaden the view on HIV and AIDS and all what comes with it.

What’s wrong with World AIDS Day asks David Phillips and he has his very own thoughts about this international day. To read it click here.

This is one of the photos making headlines in the early days of HIV – giving it a grim face and showing all the suffering. It is shocking, but shows where we came from and what treat it is if the virus get’s again out of control. Click here.

Confession of a HIV vaccine trial candidate is another interesting story and gives an insight in a HIV negative person prepared to assist in such a trial. Click here.

Enjoy reading and have a great day.

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, Politics and Society, Reflection, Society and living environment, , , , , , , , , , , ,

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