An Inspirational Example of HIV Positive Runners

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

On May 15, on World AIDS Day, the Kazan Marathon was held, in which a team of HIV-positive runners "with an open face" took part along with professional track and field athletes, stars, politicians and ordinary people.

Of course, people with HIV have run races all over the world before. But this time, a team of brave people took to the track, who are not afraid to openly say that they are HIV-positive.

First of all, this campaign was aimed at disseminating information about HIV.

It is worth being tested for HIV regularly, even if it seems to you that you are not at risk. This is a modern approach that will help stop the spread of HIV infection.

At the same time, many experience a paralyzing fear when they hear about HIV or AIDS. But life with an HIV diagnosis can be long and happy if the disease is brought under control. Thanks to supportive therapy, people with this disease today have access to all the joys of life: family, work and sports at a full level. HIV-positive women give birth to healthy children, many make successful careers and achieve results in sports that most can only dream of.

Each participant of the Kazan Marathon received the book “Check Yourself. Personal stories . This is a collection of short stories from seven HIV-positive runners who were not afraid to talk about how they found out about the diagnosis, about the difficult moments, and how they manage to continue to enjoy life.

For example, 18-year-old Yana from Kiev decided to participate in the 3 km race for the sense of unity that comes from running with hundreds of people. For Zhandos from Kazakhstan, who participated in the 10 km race, running became an assistant in the fight against fears - not only death, but also the condemnation of others. Eugene from Orel has been running for several years, but this time he prepared for the half marathon distance to set an example for everyone who wants more. Another half marathon runner Siamsumerlin came from Indonesia for this event. Upon learning of his diagnosis, he faced the inhuman attitude of those who had no right to do so - doctors. But after running 21 km, he was able to regain his sense of self-respect. Sean from the USA (42 km) took part in the “Test Yourself” campaign in the hope that it will help someone avoid infection in the future. Andrey from Moscow and Deanna from Australia are also not afraid of the full marathon distance. By the way, both have children, they consider their life to be quite happy, despite the diagnosis.

For many, HIV sounds like a death sentence. But the example of the command "Check yourself" proves that this is a fallacy. At the same time, less scary labels that others and ourselves put on us often prevent us from achieving what we want.

How many times have you heard that running is not good for your spine? How many adults do you know with a perfect spine? Usually these are those who have never been to a podiatrist. The rest are labeled "scoliosis", "kyphosis", "osteochondrosis" and others. Someone did not come out in height and the legs are short. Another is convinced that the breath is weak. And the third one thinks that you need to start playing sports in early childhood.

Now it is fashionable to say assertively: "You are just looking for excuses!" But I'll put it differently:

Are there any interest? Just believe in yourself and give it a try. It gets better - continue. No - stop it.

For me personally, running helped me get rid of the back pain that had tormented me for years. While the doctors shrugged their shoulders and prescribed painkillers: after all, the spine cannot be corrected for an adult. I'm not trying to lose weight or prove something to someone, I'm not running for company or to overtake that guy. I just run because it makes me feel better.

You can find another reason for yourself to run, even if someone decides that it is not for you. Or at least you make sure that you don't like it and not be available. So it's much more pleasant to live.