The Global Network of People living with HIV and AIDS (GNP+) is the only worldwide network representing all people living with HIV and AIDS. As a network based on emancipation and self-determination, GNP+ nurtured the development of six fully independent regional networks of people living with HIV covering Africa (NAP+ ), Asia (APN+ ), the Caribbean (CRN+ ), Europe (GNP+ Europe), Latin America (REDLa+ ) and North America (GNP+ NA).
GNP+ is different because we are not waiting for others to give us wisdom on how we can improve our lives and the lives of peoples like us. We are determining our own destiny by taking it on ourselves to advocate on our own behalf and the behalf of all people living with HIV worldwide.
For more information visit their web site: http://www.gnpplus.net
A speech by Rick Jones written for the opening of the October 2007 event.
Good Evening ladies and Gentlemen My name is Rick Jones. I’m 48 years old, and I am the Secretariat Coordinator at GNP+, the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS.
Seven years ago in November I was on a short holiday with my friend, Gerard. It was very cold and rainy and we got soaked and wet. Shortly after we both became ill. Gerard recovered in a day while I just could not get rid of my cold. This cold lasted for weeks and my partner persuaded me that despite several house visits from different doctors where I was given the same antibiotic prescriptions that something was wrong. I eventually landed in the hospital in December.
That’s all I remember until I woke up in the hospital and saw my mother and said to her that it was nice that she had come to the hospital to see me but that it was not necessary because I would be home so that we could have a nice Christmas with each other. She began to cry and I realized that something was wrong. It turned out that I had missed not only Christmas, but New Year’s as well.. I had been kept asleep for 31 days.
As you may have guessed by now I soon learned that I was HIV positive. I was shocked because I had been tested regularly and my results were always negative. As I got better I got involved in organizations that were geared to my needs. It was important to me to meet others with HIV that had the same concerns as I and I soon become a regular volunteer at the HIV Vereniging, a Dutch HIV Association.
Ultimately this volunteer work lead me to accept the position that I now have at GNP+. My work with GNP+ has taken me to Africa and Asia, and next year I expect to be part of our team at the Conference for PWHA’s in Mexico City where we give people sometimes for the first time a safe place to talk about their issues.
My story is one of self empowerment, but it is also a story about the way people with HIV can change their lives by working together. This is the kind of thing that we at GNP+ help people to do around the world. We need access to treatment. This is very important that we are able to access the medicines that are helping us to maintain our lives. Access to treatment is very, very important. Access to treatment for all.
I would like to thank you for your generous donation to GNP+. GNP+ has a special place for me in my heart not just because I have the privilege of working for this organization, but because it is a one of a kind organization that is run by and for people with HIV/AIDS. It’s an organization where we take the bull by the horns and start doing things for ourselves. We create opportunities for ourselves without needing permission and/or approval to be. This is a unique organization that needs your support and hope that you will continue to support us in the future. Again, Thank you very much and have a pleasant evening.