liv poz mag.qxd - Positive Living BC

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This year’s conference focused on our shared commitment to healthy self-preservation by Willie Blackmore Sitting at the registration desk during the first night of this year’s Positive Gathering, I experienced a few moments of panic when I wondered: “Did we use the wrong posters to promote this thing?” This year’s Positive Gathering, a conference developed for and by HIV-positive British Columbians, was held on March 26 – 28, at the Plaza Hotel in Vancouver. It’s an opportunity for people living with HIV/AIDS from around the province to share experiences, participate in workshops, and have fun. The planning committee had designated the theme of this year’s event as “Living Longer, Living Well.” However, on the surface, the crowd before me seemed a much better embodiment of our 2009 theme, “Strength in Diversity.” Never before has the Gathering served such a broad representation of ethnicities, genders, ages, and sexualities within our province’s HIV-positive community. My worry was short-lived and, of course, unfounded. As the weekend progressed, and as attentive, motivated, and actively engaged audiences consistently filled the health-centric workshops, our diverse community’s shared commitment to healthy self-preservation became abundantly clear to me. Now that the Gathering is closed and we look forward to next year’s event, I’m left with an ongoing sense of inspiration from having witnessed the new networks of support and friendship built among participants. Before I pass on the planning committee chair position to the next elected peer among our dedicated group, I want to give thanks to all the organizations and individuals who gave so generously to make Positive Gathering 2010 such a success. Positive Gathering 2010 was presented by ANKORS, BCPWA, Downtown Eastside Consumers Board, Living Positive Resource Centre Okanagan, Pacific AIDS Network, Positive Living Fraser Valley, Positive Living North, South Fraser AIDS Services Society, Vancouver Friends for Life Society, Vancouver Island Persons With AIDS Society, and YouthCO AIDS Society. Funding was generously provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada’s AIDS Community Action Program, Pacific Region. 5 Willie Blackmore was the chair of the Positive Gathering 2010 planning committee. 36 living5 MayqJune 2010
Volunteering at BCPWA Profile of a volunteer: “Don is technically gifted and I regularly call upon him to give me assistance with computers, software, and more. He’s a patient teacher. We keep discovering more of his skill set as he seems to be able to do anything. He’s a joy to have around.” Richard Harrison Member services coordinator Don TenDen Volunteer history I started volunteering in IT with Marie, then assisted Suzan setting up a housing kiosk. Now I’m with the Retreat Team in the Support Department, doing general administration work. Started at BCPWA Just over a year ago. Why pick BCPWA? I had become a member a few months prior, and it seemed like a good fit for me as a way to get familiarized with the organization. Rating BCPWA Excellent, of course. BCPWA’s strongest point The support, in all its forms for the membership. There really is something there for every member of this diverse community. Favourite memory Being selected to be part of the Retreat Team. Future vision at BCPWA Continuing to expand programs for members to find a place to socialize and build supportive ties with one another. Polli & Esther’s Closet Your peer-run, second time around store! Bring your membership card and pay us a visit at 1107 Seymour Street, 2nd Floor Great selection! Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 11AM to 2PM for your shopping convenience MayqJune 2010 living5 37
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Page 5 and 6: The FIGHTING WORDS Fighting back Th
Page 7 and 8: Jennifer Evin Jones For the past 15
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Page 13 and 14: HIV-positive status to his partners
Page 15 and 16: Pain and anguish—and bliss One HI
Page 17 and 18: treatment *nformation TREATMENT INF
Page 20 and 21: Feature Story When old is new The i
Page 22 and 23: Feature Story and notes that future
Page 24 and 25: Antiretrovirals Whatever happened t
Page 26 and 27: Please phone 604.893.2239 or email
Page 28 and 29: Nutrition Nutrition and HIV, revisi
Page 30 and 31: Wednesdays • 5:30 PM • Training
Page 32 and 33: Let’s clinical! get Clinical tria
Page 35: New BCPWA AGM voting procedure Now
Page 39 and 40: If you are a member of the BC Perso

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