OP website update: Durban launch

Posted by Openly Positive in News, Whisper not

Happy Durban panelists: Christy-Joy, Anne, Jan, Elaine and Derrick

Four of our short story authors shared the floor, as we launched Whisper not in Durban at our Satellite Session: No more whispers – sharing our own stories of life and love beyond HIV on Wednesday 8 June at the 5th South African AIDS Conference at the International Convention Centre.

Hall 7 buzzed with warmth, support and interest listening to Elaine Maane and Derrick Fine introduce Openly Positive’s story-telling series and the wonderful diversity of our 15 Whisper not authors. OP trustee, Anne Lebethe, who was also representing the South African Police Service at the Conference, spoke warmly about her story, Vida – a toast to life, and the importance of appreciating life with and beyond HIV.

Nomfundo: all pride and colour

Jan de Groot, whose organisation the AIDS Foundation of South Africa hosted the Positive Lounge, touched us with his wisdom from A love story and reminded us why he is affectionately known as Mkhulu. Nomfundo Xotyeni, also representing SA Partners in Durban, was all power, pride and passion in sharing her “stigma train” journey from The hero lies in me.

Christy-Joy Webster, from Zoë-LIFE, really touched a chord with many other carers in the audience in sharing her experiences from Mixing medicine with feelings. She recalled how Openly Positive’s story-telling session at the 2009 Conference moved her to be open as a nurse deeply affected by HIV through patients who became close friends. We closed the session by handing out our Telling stories of positive lives notebooks with writing tips to encourage others to tell their own stories.