Word for Word

6 Dec 2011

HIV TODAY – Ken’s Story – Part 1 of 2

Arts, Health, News & Politics, Society & Culture

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Since HIV was discovered 30 years ago, it has engulfed humanity killing millions of people and devastated nations. The introduction of anti-retro-viral treatments has transitioned HIV/AIDS from being a death sentence to a manageable chronic illness. Itâ€™s that very transition that has given rise to the complacency amongst Australiaâ€™s gay men. HIV infection rates in Australia have steadily increased from 718 cases in 1999 to approximately 1000 new diagnoses each year for the past 3 years.
Two Melbourne Men living with HIV have agreed to tell their stories. Although born a generation apart, they are united on many fronts.
Both seek to blame on-one and expect no pity. Both take full responsibility for their actions and in revealing their stories, hope you listening will do so too. These stories are a reminder of the impact HIV/AIDS has on ones quality of life and on the ones we love.
Next week, Joel shares his story of what it is like to be diagnosed HIV+ at 25 years of age; only to discover 6 months later in a routine medical test, that he had subsequently contracted hepatitis C through sexual transmission.
Today on Word For Word youâ€™ll meet Ken who at 50 is medically retired and has been surviving AIDS for a decade. Following a car accident when he was a child, his spleen was removed. The impact that this was to have on his HIV decades later has resulted in a rapid transition to AIDS.
Ken and his medical specialists have searched thousands of peer-reviewed medical papers and journals looking for a study involving patients with HIV and asplenia. To date, no such study exists and that is why he is prepared to share his story. This is Kenâ€™s story.