ADRIENNE'S HIV BLOG – Hivine's Weblog

HIVINE is written by HIV positive women but still with a sense of humour

First Post

November 1, 2007 at 12:01 pm · Filed under HIV news and updates

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For the first post I would like to explain how this blog came about. As it is the run up to World AIDS day I was asked if I would do a radio interview about what it is like to live with HIV. I agreed although I am starting to have my doubts now on the eve of the broadcast about coming out to the world – or at least anyone who listens to The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2.

The name of the blog derives from that, as in the vine part, the HIV speaks for itself. I also thought the vine would be a good symbol to have as it grows rapidly and also connects people together, not to mention the play on words of the famous song,’ I heard it on the hivine.’                                                                 

I sincerely hope that other positive women will be a part of the vine, the hivine as joining forces or voices can only make us stronger,

Adrienne

If anyone wants to contribute posts and pages to this blog, please send an email to hivine@gmail.com and we can make you a contributor. 

 

23 Comments »

  Hilary Blunt wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 1:25 pm

My daughter lives in Zambia and her childrens nanny, Theresah, has HIV -aids. It took a lot of courage for her to have a test and to find out that her dead husband was “not the good man I told you he was Hilary” – when I discovered her condition, I rang the TH Trust, very concerned for the welfare of my granddaughter, to be given great comfort. Despite the fears I had, I will always hug and kiss Theresah when we visit Zambia; my friends all have a fit about it, BUT, the modern drugs are wonderful. However, in Zambia there is still a dreadful stigma attached to it and it is kept secret by the majority of people. I do admire you for “coming out”. Thank you

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  tom wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 1:33 pm

I have just listened to JEREMY VINE Show and listend to Adrrienne?
She sounds a lovely woman who has been let down badly… I just wish her all the health in the world and if she is looking for someone to mail to – please cotact me.
Tom

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  Sara Pugh wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 1:34 pm

I just wanted to say well done.

I just heard your interview, and wanted to congratulate you on your courage and sprit.

Sara

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  Bikerdoc wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 1:35 pm

Hi there, I just want to say how I admire you courage being so open and honest. I hope it does some good

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  Yasmin Mariess wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 1:36 pm

Adrienne,
You are a brave lady to talk on the Jeremy Vine show, and I want to thank you for your inspiration, you come across as a very genuine woman, who has an amazing story to tell.
I wish you all the best in the bright future ahead of you,
Yasmin

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  Linda Perkins wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 1:43 pm

Dear Adrienne

I’ve just heard you speaking on the Jeremy Vine show and would like to say how brave I think you are. To speak on national radio about H.I.V when ignorance and stigma are all around must have taken great courage – bloody well done you!! I wish you much happiness for the future and wish you every success with all you do in your campaign to have a voice. Happy Wishes, Linda

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  Annie wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 1:53 pm

Well done, Adrienne, for being so brave and for speaking out on behalf of “invisible” women everywhere. I have been an invisible woman for 19 years and understood and emphasised with so much of what you and Katherine said on Jeremy Vine’s programme this lunchtime.

Sadly for us there will always be small-minded people like the man on your painting course. However, I hope you can take some comfort from the fact that you have risen above such ignorance, behaved with dignity and that, in speaking out and creating this blog, you have started to raise our profile.

This chronic infection changes our lives significantly, but like you, I hope I have retained my sense of humour throughout everything. I believe this and adopting a positive mental attitude are two of the reasons I’m still here! After all, the infection does not define who we are as women or individuals, we do that by the way we choose to live our lives. Ultimately, we can choose to turn the tables on it and become stronger as a result.

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  Derek wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 1:56 pm

Dear Adienne,

Sorry I’m not a woman that your web site it aimed at, but I heard you on jeremy’s show and felt compelled to write and give you my support.
Having had a virus based ilness for getting on for 20 years and although not life threatening like HIV .
I think that you are a very Courageous Lady and that anyone like that Guy in Spain, is little minded and not half the person you and Catherine are, and if either of you ever need to talk you have my email Address.
Wishing you both all the Strength in the World.
Derek

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  Willo Williams wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 2:29 pm

The broadcast on Radio 2 today was very interesting and touched on several mute points. I just wonder how many young people would be listening – perhaps Radio 1 next?

From the 1980s I have known friends and acquaintances with the virus, some of whom have subsequently died. The dangers were ignored by young people then (and all ages, I suppose) and sadly the same applies today.

I would like to congratulate you and Kath on making the big step of ‘coming out’ on national radio and feel very supportive of all you are doing to publicise the issues.

It’s a pity your time on radio was so limited, as I would have liked you to have the oportunity to talk about you autobiography which covers your diagnosis and subsequent events – as well as being a good read!

All best wishes
Willo Williams

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  claire wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 3:09 pm

Hi,
I was so moved to hear your story. I find the whole HIV risks so scary. I do wonder if its the disease that scares most or the stigmatism around it? I wish these narrow, stupid minded people would ask themselves the question-have they ever once in their lives had unprotected sex? If they answer ‘yes’ how do they know 100% that they don’t have it? I don’t know any friends or family that start to go out with/sleep with a partner then go for a test before they stop using a condom. Also the people that act so horrendously to people with HIV are normally not the most intelligent of people!!! How would they feel if a member of their family or close friend was diagnosed? Good luck to you and hope you keep your spirits high.
x

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  Trevor Mackown wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 5:24 pm

Heard Adrienne on Jeremy Vine show, very brave lady to bring this out into the open

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  Pauline wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 5:44 pm

Hi Adrienne,
I listened to you on Jeremy Vine’s programme and first of all I want to say how brave you were to come on and admit your status. I understand perfectly how difficult that was for you. I I know what it is like because my son is HIV positive and I understand the stigma that goes with the disease. It affects the sufferer and also all the sufferer’s family. you can only tell certain people and are always sensitive to their reaction. If only people would accept that there is no stigma with HIV then those who are living with HIV would have more support, be less isolated and life of course would be more tolerable.
My thoughts go out to you today Adrienne & every good wish for the future.

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  Willo Williams wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 6:31 pm

Just read your comments regarding Zambia, Hilary – and you may be interested to hear that it was in Zambia (Luanshya) that I first became aware of HIV and Aids many years ago, when friends contracted the virus and sadly died. However, I am happy to report that 20 or more years later I do have friends who are surviving the virus. Be assured that there has been lots of hugging and kissing between we friends, so no need to be concerned when being affectionate towards your granddaughter’s nanny, Theresah.

No doubt you try diminish the fears and prejudices of your friends, as it is so important that people with the virus are not rejected in the way Adrienne described.

Best wishes
Willo

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  Garry wrote @ November 1, 2007 at 6:46 pm

I heard you today with the other lady and I must say that you are both very couragous to share your experiences with all those who tune in daily. Good luck in spreading your message.
Best wishes,
Garry

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  Chiquita wrote @ November 2, 2007 at 12:06 am

I feel compelled to listen to The Jeremy Vine Show to gain a greater understanding. I understand it was broadcast on BBC Radio 2, can I access it on the internet now and how would I do that?

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  caz wrote @ November 2, 2007 at 9:32 am

hi i listened to you talking with jeremy vine yesturday on radio 2 and i thnk that your so brave, its a harsh world as it is for tjose who live with things but even harsher for people living with hiv/aids.
well done for helping so many others out there and letting them know that although its tough living with this condition there is still a life to live and enjoy. take care and God bless you and all who read x

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  Willo Williams wrote @ November 2, 2007 at 12:48 pm

Dear Adrienne

I have been listening again to your interview with Jeremy Vine and think you described your deceased partner as a ‘respectable man’. He may well have been a respected, eminent member of the community, but considering he left you the legacy of HIV it is debatable whether or not he was ‘respectable’.

How great it is to read extracts from your book, ‘The Spider & The fly’ on this weblog and I eagerly look forward to buying it off the shelves. It appears that very little personal experience of HIV/Aids is published; do I detect publishers reticence because they too consider it a taboo subject?

As well as ‘coming out’ on national radio, it is brave of you to write of your experiences (though perhaps it was cathartic), as some of my friends with the virus are (or have been) unable to talk about it due to their ‘invisibility’. Like you, they would have (or have had) interesting stories to tell, full of fear, devastating illness, depression and ignorance, to bigotry, disgust and intolerance, through to love, courage, compassion and humour. Stories well worth telling and thus making enthralling reading!

All the best

Willo

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  Viv Williams wrote @ November 2, 2007 at 4:17 pm

You were more magnanimous than he deserved and more courageous, honest and open in one ten minute interview than he was in a lifetime.

Where can I buy ‘The Spider and the Fly’?

Viv

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  erik gould wrote @ November 3, 2007 at 5:36 pm

even though I consider you as a personal friend I am still in awe of your bravery Adrienne and, of course, I wish you well. From the e-mail you’re receiving you seem not only to be helping people, but also arousing their love and admiration as you have always done throughout you life.
Love,
Erik

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  erik gould wrote @ November 3, 2007 at 5:42 pm

even though i consider you as a personal friend I am still in awe of your bravery Adrienne and, of course, I wish you well. From the e-mail you’re receiving you seem not only to be helping people, but also arousing their love and admiration as you have always done throughout your life. ERIK

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  Willo Williams wrote @ November 4, 2007 at 12:04 pm

Dear Chiquita

You asked how to access the broadcast on the Internet. I was hoping by now that someone would have advised you, as I am a ‘Silver Surfer’ and don’t really feel qualified to advise anyone on IT matters. However, as I don’t want you to miss the broadcast, I’ll try and guide you through.

Firstly you will need Real Player installed on your computer. If you have it, then listening to the broadcast will be easy; you just go to the Jeremy Vine website and click on to ‘Thursday’ and the broadcast will load.

If you haven’t already got Real Player on your computer, then you can download a free version from their website. Go to http://www.uk.real.com

Look carefully at the page as it will be offering you free trials and subsequent subscriptions, which you probably don’t want. Look to the right of the page and somewhere under ‘My Account’ you will find the ‘Real Play’ download.

Ensure that you are just downloading the Basic Player. You will be asked to complete a form with your email address etc. For the free version you won’t have to supply your credit card details. If in doubt, try and get a friend to help you.

You will be asked if you want to install Firefox web browser and you have the choice to accept or not.

Hope that makes sense. Just be careful you don’t sign up to something you will have to pay for – unless of course you want to.

Good luck
Willo

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  Kath Taylor wrote @ May 12, 2008 at 8:43 pm

Hi adrienne
just looked at the website and it is fantastic! your story is heartrendering at times but I know you are a woman with great strength and personality. you have created something wonderful here for all people to see and hopefully understand the difficulties HIV positive individuals face. you have certainly faced the fear, take care
kath x

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  hivine wrote @ May 20, 2008 at 12:29 pm

Hi Kath,
Thanks for your lovely comments but I have to say that if it wasn´t for people like you who work in the field of HIV and tirelessly continue to reduce the stigma by offering positive people like me your unconditional support I would never have had the courage to speak out in the first place,
Thank you for everything,
Adrienne
x
x

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