Silvia Petretti

Today, 2 February, marks 29 years since our CEO Silvia was diagnosed with HIV. Below, she shares a personal reflection on a life shaped by activism, community, and learning how to live. Dear HIV, This year, on the 2nd of February, it is 29 years that we have been together. It feels like a wedding anniversary. I find it difficult to express how it feels to have a life I did not imagine I would have. My life is clearly divided in two: before you, HIV, and after you.

Women accessing HIV care services in the UK report being told to use separate cutlery, being refused help to shower, and having visitors being told by care workers not to associate with them. “We're worried about care homes for people with our disability. In other words they will mistreat you.” Workshop participant As life expectancy grows, more of us can anticipate needing some kind of care in our older age. Worry over such potential future care is not uncommon.

Hoy hacemos 19 años juntos. Además, este año cumplo 50 años. Me has definido la vida, es imposible negarlo. Me has empujado hacia muchos sitios. A los más altos y a los más bajos. Nunca me había sentido tan sola y con tanto daño como hace 19 años. Pero hoy, gracias a ti, estoy en contacto con una comunidad de personas que, a pesar del miedo, del sufrimiento, de la enfermedad y de la estigmatización, han crecido, resistido y prosperado.