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Living positively with HIV

Many people regard being HIV-positive as a death sentence and fear that they will be discriminated against by their families, community, friends and colleagues. This was not the case for Girlly du Doit. “Keeping silent about my status was very stressful to me, which is why I made the decision to disclose my status publicly, to my family, friends, colleagues and my community. I also saw that some of my colleagues were in denial about HIV/AIDS. I saw disclosing my HIV status as an opportunity for me to show those in denial that HIV/AIDS does exist and that you can live positively with HIV,” says Girlly du Doit.

Girlly worked as a Senior Analyst in the laboratory at Xstrata Coal’s Arthur Taylor Colliery. She voluntarily decided to come forward and disclose her status in the workplace and was subsequently offered a position as full-time HIV/AIDS advocate at the colliery’s training centre, recognising her enthusiasm and passion for teaching people about HIV and AIDS. In this role Girlly also supports her colleagues in deciding to test or enrol for treatment as appropriate and is a positive example of someone living a full life with HIV.

“When I disclosed my status, it was not an easy decision to make. I feared that people might treat me differently, but I was surprised by the positive response from most of my colleagues and managers. They accepted me with open arms and supported me. I am glad that I have the opportunity to educate other people about this virus,” says Girlly.

“I am proof that you can disclose your status if you wish to do so and will not be dismissed or treated differently by your managers in the workplace. I hope that my decision will help others to be open about their status and live free lives.”

Girlly receives free treatment and counselling from Xstrata’s HIV/AIDS programme. She says that she owes her life to the programme and that being able to access treatment at Xstrata’s Witbank clinic close to her home makes her day-to-day life much easier.

Although Girlly was fortunate to have the support and acceptance of the majority of her family, friends and colleagues, she has experienced some negative attitudes as a result of her HIV status.

“Some of my friends do not want to even touch me, hug me or kiss me because they think that I might infect them with the virus,” Girlly says. “But I know this is only because they do not understand the virus and how it is transmitted. That is why educating people is so important to me.”

Girlly tested positive through Xstrata’s workplace VCT programme. She already knew about the disease and, although it was difficult to accept her status at first and to deal with the shock of being told that she was positive, the Xstrata HIV/AIDS programme has helped her to remain positive and to focus on living with HIV.

There were times that Girlly admits that she felt despondent and as if she was fighting a losing battle. She even defaulted on her medication in the past. But because of the support she received from her family, Xstrata’s HIV/AIDS programme and nursing staff, she was able to cope. Today Girlly is living positively with HIV and her decision to disclose her status is helping other Xstrata employees and contractors to take proactive steps to manage their HIV status, whether positive or negative.