Editor’s Letter

by David McLay

HAVING PASSED THROUGH another winter, the warmer weather and budding green of spring remind us that life is about birth and creation, and that living is about growing and evolving. In this issue of The Positive Side, we look at the different ways that people with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) in Canada embrace this definition of living and use it to make a positive difference for themselves and others.

On the cover we feature Montreal artist Daniel-Claude Gendron, who uses art to grow emotionally and intellectually. He created HIV-positive superhero and alter-ego Super Poz to help come to terms with his HIV diagnosis. Now he helps others tap in to the healing powers of art.

Others see growth as bringing about a positive change in the people around them. In our feature “Speaking from the Heart,” we meet four courageous PHAs who speak publicly about living with HIV. Their goal is to educate and inform others, but they often benefit as well. This theme is carried through in our profile of Ottawa PHA Dave Pineau.

Nothing says birth and growth like a newborn baby. Having children is one of the greatest joys of life for many people, including people with HIV. (We know it’s possible and safe for people living with HIV to do so.) In “Birth Rights,” we meet a couple looking for help to become pregnant while not passing HIV between them. We learn of the challenges they and other PHAs in Canada are facing and what is being done to remove those barriers.

In our regular columns, we continue our tradition of sharing the experiences of PHAs from across the country. In Ask the Experts, we provide tips on how to get active this summer (and all year long!), and in Chatty CATIE, four PHAs reveal their tricks for sticking with their pill-taking schedule. By sharing our experiences with each other, we grow individually and together — and make a positive difference.

We hope that, like us, you find inspiration and motivation from the stories in this issue. As always, we’d love to hear what you think of anything you read in The Positive Side. Send your stars and cherry bombs to dmclay@catie.ca.

Decisions about particular medical treatments should always be made in consultation with a qualified medical practitioner who is knowledgeable about HIV-related illness and the treatments in question. MORE

Production of this Web site has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

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