But I COMPLETELY forgot that September 27th was National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness day and I TOLD myself I was going to post because I heart the gays. I really do. They're the best and they have great taste in shoes. Me + gay men+ shoes = bliss for all parties involved. But I digress which I always do when the topic of shoes come up. Anyways, here is some information about this day:
The very first National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness day was September 27th, 2008. NGMHAAD (what an acronym!) was designed to refocus attention on a community that has been affected by the HIV epidemic in both the U.S. and internationally. Since the disease was first recoginzed in the early '80's, more than 487,000 gay and bixexual men have been diagnosed in the United States.
Despite the statistics, the gay community took responsibility for understanding the science of HIV/AIDS and has never wavered in it's courageous advocacy for HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and treatment (YEA!!) "By educating themselves about HIV/AIDS and arguing cogently for improvements to the status quo, gay activists gained a seat at the table to design HIV/AIDS studies. In so doing, they created a new model for the relationship between patients suffering from serious diseases and scientists developing and testing ways to better detect, treat, and prevent these diseases." (Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/GayMenHIVAwarenessDay.htm)
I think the rest of the world can really take something from the way gay men are fighting this disease. No, HIV/AIDS is not a "gay disease" however they are doing their part to make sure their community is educated and protected.
My own experience with this: I live in Jacksonville, FL and have gone to gay clubs many times with friends. Even though I've seen some crazy things happen, there is ALWAYS information about HIV/AIDS, ALWAYS information about where you can be tested, and ALWAYS condoms available. "Straight" clubs in Jacksonville, FL? There is ALWAYS a flyer about what's going on at the next club night. *blank stare*
So, Project Nefertiti is taking this time today (and everyday) to honor those gay men who continue to make an effort towards educating others and those who have lost their life to the disease. I hope that their spirit of love and family is passed on to all, and that in the future, everyone can come together to make an even bigger impact on our world. I love you all and be blessed!
sources: www3.niad.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/GayMenHIVAwarenessDay.htm; www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/msm/index.htm
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Please Forgive Me Guys...!
Posted by Nefertiti: "The beautiful one has arrived." at 9/30/2009 06:58:00 PM 0 comments
A Relaxing Evening With Nefertiti
Posted by Nefertiti: "The beautiful one has arrived." at 9/30/2009 09:00:00 AM 0 comments
Thursday, September 24, 2009
What We're Buzzing About: HIV on Twitter
Posted by Nefertiti: "The beautiful one has arrived." at 9/24/2009 09:28:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, September 21, 2009
Mind Touch: The Meeting of the Physical and the Mental
Today, I want to let you in on a little secret. Can I trust you? I mean, I have a certain reputation to uphold, and if this should get out, well, I don't know what would happen to my credibility. Are you ready? *clutching at my pearls* I LIKE HUGS. Shh...don't tell anyone. For me, a hug is a way to make another person feel comforted, and through that physical touch I myself am comforted.
Being the nerd I am, I wanted to know what happens in the brain that triggers these feelings of comfort. Despite my uber nerdiness, I'm not going to big word y'all to death because
As we all know (I hope O_0), touch is one of the five ways the brain receives stimulating information. When you are touched, the brain releases serotonin (a chemical in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells). Low levels of serotonin has shown to cause depression, anxiety, and violent behavior. This goes to show that your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
To touch, or to be touched is to be "known" and is thought to be the greatest expression of love and trust that two beings can exhibit towards one another. If you're being hugged by someone you care for, or someone that you truly care for, your brain is releasing "feel good" chemical messages to your whole body. (That's if it's someone you care for. If it's a random person, feel free to kick them in the shin).
With that said, I think this week everyone should hug someone/thing (teddy bears are nice to hug too :-D) at least once. A hug can improve your whole day, start it off on the right foot, or help to end it with a smile. Don't be afraid! Hug someone...it's good for you. :) Or, just touch something...soft, smooth, squishy...whatever brings you pleasure and gets that serotonin moving.
Take care...and be BLESSED!
Sources:
http://www.wizardrealm.com/Galadriel/7senses.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_contact
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/health/a-hug-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/2007/07/31/1185647872383.html
Posted by Nefertiti: "The beautiful one has arrived." at 9/21/2009 04:20:00 PM 2 comments
Friday, September 11, 2009
Lets Talk
Hello beauties! Have you ever had trouble explaining your situation to someone that you care for? Check out these great guidelines from health.com:
1. Practice what to sayBefore you drop a bomb on a potential mate, rehearse your speech with a trusted friend or visit a therapist to talk it through, suggests Ken Robbins, MD, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
“It’s good to have somebody as a sounding board in a situation like this,” he says. “How you handle this is not something your partner is likely to forget.”
Laurie Davis, an online dating expert based in New York and Boston, suggests asking a friend what sounds most intimidating about your condition and getting his or her advice on how to smooth it over. Getting a second opinion can help you decide how much to say (and when and where to say it), and running through your script a few times can make you more comfortable sharing your story.
“You don’t want to overwhelm your partner but you want to be sure to give him or her all of the important facts,” Davis says. “You should definitely practice before you tell your match, or you’ll most likely fumble through the conversation uncomfortably.”
Mark Snyder, a 32-year-old writer from New York City, used to dread telling a new boyfriend that he was a recovering alcoholic. “I don’t think I was ever able to shake off the feeling I was springing the information on him, usually when we were either out to dinner and he wanted to order a bottle of wine, or at a party where alcohol was introduced,” he says. “I often blurted out, ‘Oh, I don’t drink. Sorry.’”
That changed, however, as he got used to talking about his condition. “As time went on, and I got more comfortable with this side of my life, so did the ease with which I told a man not to expect a tequila-scented smooch at the end of the night,” he says. “I realize my blurting-it-out style was my own insecurities about sobriety. I celebrate it now.”
2. Never tell on a first date“Never tell someone on a first date,” Davis says. “The results will never be favorable.”
Dr. Robbins seconds that, especially if you’re worried that your health secret “is likely to define you before the person has gotten a chance to know you at all.”
That doesn’t mean you should lie—just let your partner get to know you first. “[Revealing too much too soon] may color how your partner sees you,” Dr. Robbins says. “It defines you before you’re ready to be defined.”
Jenny*, a 25-year-old graduate student from New York, had a breast augmentation when she was 19. “I don’t really bring it up, not when I’m first dating people,” she says. “But I’ve had people ask and I’m always honest with them. I wouldn’t see a reason to keep it a secret, especially if we’re getting serious.”
If you’re worried that your health secret might be a deal-breaker, you’ll want to ‘fess up by the fourth date, says Rachel A. Sussman, LCSW, a New York City therapist and relationship expert. That way, if your secret does make a big difference, you won’t have wasted too much of their time—or yours.
“Of course it can be painful, but if that’s the case, it’s better to know before you get too involved,” Sussman says. “It’s complicated if you withhold it and they find out too late. Dishonesty can ruin a potentially good relationship.”
Jill*, the 33-year-old from New York City, is currently in a long-distance relationship. However, she hasn’t told him about her bipolar disorder—yet.
“Too much too soon is not a good thing…. [But] I truly believe when you share a life with someone, you need to be in it together,” she says. “Men go bald; women gain weight after pregnancy. It’s not all roses and Champagne.”
3. Be casual yet confidentSo exactly how does one reveal a secret without just blurting it out? “It’s hard not to kill the mood with your health secret, because it’s probably not something that can be easily segued from a topic you would normally discuss,” Davis says. She recommends a conversation bridge, such as, “I feel like we’re heading in a great direction, so I wanted to tell you something.”
Just don’t overdo it: “You don’t want to frame this in a way that ends up making a bigger deal of something you don’t want made into a big deal,” Dr. Robbins says. In other words, make your delivery as drama free as possible.
Allison*, a 30-year-old marketer from Baltimore, tries to casually tell dates about her multiple sclerosis (MS).
“Usually I’ll work it into another aspect of our conversation,” she says. “It’s a lot easier to tell someone I have MS as a side note in a conversation than to sit down and have a formal discussion focused solely on MS.”
However, even a casual, well-prepared speech doesn’t always meet with success.
“One guy just clammed up and didn’t want to say anything or go anywhere because, in his eyes, I might get hurt,” Allison* says. “And another guy became very controlling and tried to tell me what I should and shouldn’t be doing for my health. Um, you’re not my doctor, dude.”
Allison’s dates probably have their heart in the right place. “They’re trying to be helpful because they care about her,” Dr. Robbins says. He suggests that she have a confident, straightforward response about how she would like them to react; something like: “I don’t see this as something that defines me—but if I need help, please leave it to me to ask.”
4. Don’t have this conversation in bed—or anyplace you associate with intimacyAlthough this is a good guideline to follow when dealing with all types of relationship secrets, there’s only one instance in which it is a hard-and-fast rule, Sussman says: “Don’t wait until you’re naked in bed with someone to tell them you have an STD.”
That’s true for any condition, Davis adds. But Dr. Robbins notes that if your health secret is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), you’re going to have to open up to someone sooner rather than later.
“If it’s something that’s going to have a direct effect on your partner, it’s something you’re going to want to talk about sooner, as opposed to an illness that isn’t contagious,” Dr. Robbins says. “If it’s something like hepatitis C, you really do have to talk about that very early.”
Amy, a 29-year-old graphic artist from Chicago, jokes that hepatitis C is the only thing she has in common with Pamela Anderson. But she’s serious when it comes to telling boyfriends about her illness, which she got through a blood transfusion at birth.
“There is less than a 3% chance of transmission within a monogamous relationship, but I’ve always been truthful and upfront about it, whether I ended up in a sexual relationship with someone or not,” she says. “They have a right to know.”
An ideal place to tell someone about your health secret—whether it’s a communicable disease or any other condition—is a park, Davis says. Just make sure there’s no one within earshot.
“Do not tell your partner during intimacy. Telling your partner your health secret means you are opening up to them, trusting them, and becoming more vulnerable,” she says. “The place you choose to tell them should reflect this.”
5. Seek out relationships onlineIf you tend to meet potential partners through online networks such as Facebook or Match.com, you shouldn’t hint in your profile that you’re concealing a health secret. However, if you’re nervous about rejection or misunderstandings, you might be more comfortable dating someone with similar health issues.
There are many niche sites that cater to people with specific conditions, and they’re a great way to be up-front with potential mates who are in the same boat, Davis says.
Daters with STDs can check out STDFriends.com or PositiveSingles.com, while Whispers4u.com is a great site for people with disabilities, according to Davis. NoLongerLonely.com helps those with mental illness seek partners. “[However,] you should discuss the volatility of your specific condition with your doctor before signing up,” Davis says.
6. Know when to give your partner spaceEven if you do your best to deliver a snag-free speech, it’s possible that there could be an awkward moment. “[If that happens], say, ‘I can tell by your expression that this is a lot to digest and I completely understand, and I’ll give you the time and space to do that,’” Sussman says.
Then, offer some physical distance but stay in contact, Davis says. “Give them the following day to breathe and think,” she suggests. “Call them on the third day if they haven’t reached out to you. Let them know that they are still on your mind and you can’t wait to see them again.”
7. Don’t take rejection personally“A good person will listen and be kind and not judge, but if [your health secret is] something they can’t live with, that doesn’t make them a bad person,” says Sussman. “It just makes them a bad match.”
And there can be multiple reasons for a rejection—many of which have nothing to do with you at all. “If your mother was an alcoholic and you date someone who’s an alcoholic, you might have to make a choice that it’s not healthy to be involved with someone in recovery,” Sussman says.
Besides, your perfect match will accept you no matter what, Davis says: “If things were going well up until the time you told them, keep in mind that they rejected your health condition, not you. At the end of the day, it means that they were not the one.”
8. Accept supportTiffany Sanchez Conover, 28, a store manager from northern Indiana, settled into a deep depression after her grandmother died. She slept all day, stopped eating, and became socially withdrawn—even with her husband. Still, she kept her depression hidden, because she wanted to “figure it out on my own.”
“[Eventually] I felt like I had to tell him because I could feel the strain it was placing on our relationship,” she says. “A person can only take so much of their spouse not wanting anything to do with them before they start assuming the worst, an affair.”
Tiffany’s husband was hurt that she hadn’t told him earlier, but he was glad she finally confessed. “After I told him, he was as supportive as could be,” she says. “He would stay up late to talk with me just so I wouldn’t feel lonely late at night, even though I’m sure he really wanted to go to bed.”
It’s especially important for married couples to be open to avoid hiccups in the relationship, Sussman says. “In healthy marriages, people lean on each other and are honest with each other,” she explains. “You can never lose by being honest.”
Tiffany knows that now: She and her husband recently went through a series of failed fertility treatments after finding out she likely cannot have children on her own. “I probably share too much now,” she says, laughing. “But it works for us. If I didn’t tell my husband how I felt about it all every day, I probably would end up depressed again.”
A counselor also helped Tiffany to get through the initial rough patch. Therapy and support groups—whether online or in person—are excellent options, according to Sussman. “Name the illness and there’s a support group,” she says. “If you go to your supportive community, you’ll hear stories of how people have handled these things in the past.”
Be blessed! God loves you and so do we!
Posted by Nefertiti: "The beautiful one has arrived." at 9/11/2009 08:00:00 PM 0 comments
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Welcome!
Nefertiti: "The beautiful one has arrived."
Hello to all of my sisters out there and welcome to Project Nefertiti! The purpose of this site is to help battle depression and elevate self worth and self confidence among women and children living with HIV/AIDS as well as the caretakers of those living with the disease. We hope that you will kick off your shoes and stay a while! Please be patient with us as we continue to build the site and add information and stay tuned for the events that we will be hosting in partnership with the Red Pump Project! (Check them out @ www.theredpumpproject.com). Remember, you are beautiful! God loves you and so do we!
Posted by Nefertiti: "The beautiful one has arrived." at 9/10/2009 07:09:00 PM 0 comments
