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Social Stigma and Hep C
I want everybody to try to be honest with themselves, with this one: when you find out a person has Hep C, which one of these type of thoughts first comes to mind:
>>>> I want everybody to try to be honest with themselves, with this one: when you find out a person has Hep C, which one of these type of thoughts first comes to mind:<<<<
I guess I would say, That looks like it could be MeWithC.......
I guess I would say, That looks like it could be MeWithC.......
Hector, SF is exactly what you said it is : ). Beautifully put. I was born in
the Bay Area. I have a picture taken at Fort Point with the Golden Gate
in the back ground. Its an amazing picture. I will post it when I'm UND.
I think I was 18 at the time. It will be interesting if you can guess the year.
the Bay Area. I have a picture taken at Fort Point with the Golden Gate
in the back ground. Its an amazing picture. I will post it when I'm UND.
I think I was 18 at the time. It will be interesting if you can guess the year.
I grew up in San Francisco. One learns to be accepting of different cultures and ideas early on; it's the exposure.
There are people all over the world with similar experiences. They learn to live and let live.
Okay, so my point is this, no one can make me feel bad about myself, other than me. If someone is mean or rude to me I make choices.
I am human and i can be judgemental too. I take note of my thoughts, and try on different points of view.
That said, all should know that, San Francisco is the best city in the world.
C
There are people all over the world with similar experiences. They learn to live and let live.
Okay, so my point is this, no one can make me feel bad about myself, other than me. If someone is mean or rude to me I make choices.
I am human and i can be judgemental too. I take note of my thoughts, and try on different points of view.
That said, all should know that, San Francisco is the best city in the world.
C
I have always loved Oakland also. As a child, many happy hours spent at Childrens Fairy-Land, and Lake Merrit (and I took my kids there also)
I also think ol' Jerry Brown did a pretty good job, at beautifying the area, around 20th and Broadway, the way he put in some old-fashioned looking town-houses, along with those cobble-stoned streets.
Anyhow, The Fox is now putting on some good concerts, and there is the new Rudys' Cant Fail Cafe, which makes that area much more lit up at night, and safer.
I wasn't so thrilled about Laney College being so close to Oaksterdam, since I dont want my kids to smoke it, but I guess we have this problem in all the towns thru-out America. Our kids are either gonna smoke it, or choose not to~
I also think ol' Jerry Brown did a pretty good job, at beautifying the area, around 20th and Broadway, the way he put in some old-fashioned looking town-houses, along with those cobble-stoned streets.
Anyhow, The Fox is now putting on some good concerts, and there is the new Rudys' Cant Fail Cafe, which makes that area much more lit up at night, and safer.
I wasn't so thrilled about Laney College being so close to Oaksterdam, since I dont want my kids to smoke it, but I guess we have this problem in all the towns thru-out America. Our kids are either gonna smoke it, or choose not to~
OMG, I am still cackling! You are really hilarious, Hector.
I lived in SF. for 20 years and am in Oakland for 5. It is true, S.F. is a very open place and lovely. "Oaktown" is not as pretty but I find the people much the same. I have just recently mentioned to acquaintances that I have Hep C (though undetected) and no one bats an eye, except to tell me about a family member or friend that has it.
I sometimes long for the experience of real seasons, but I have to agree SF and the bay area is a great place. When I lived in SF, I was a city snob too, but Oakland has humbled me and helped me see the error of my ways (the belief that the East, North and South bay revolve around Planet SF. :-)
I lived in SF. for 20 years and am in Oakland for 5. It is true, S.F. is a very open place and lovely. "Oaktown" is not as pretty but I find the people much the same. I have just recently mentioned to acquaintances that I have Hep C (though undetected) and no one bats an eye, except to tell me about a family member or friend that has it.
I sometimes long for the experience of real seasons, but I have to agree SF and the bay area is a great place. When I lived in SF, I was a city snob too, but Oakland has humbled me and helped me see the error of my ways (the belief that the East, North and South bay revolve around Planet SF. :-)
Yes, definitely, Hector is right. Luckily, they built a subway here, called Bay Area Rapid Transit, only we just call it The Bart Train, so I have been traveling to San Francisco since I was 9yrs old.
As a teen, I spent many happy hours, roller-skating in Golden-Gate Park, and as an adult, I enjoy the free concerts also put on, at Golden Gate Park, such as The Summer of Love, etc.
There is also great food there, and museums, tons of different events, etc.
The Bay Area is just a rough term, that Ithrow around, to keep myself my where-abouts anonomous, since I do live in a much smaller town~
As a teen, I spent many happy hours, roller-skating in Golden-Gate Park, and as an adult, I enjoy the free concerts also put on, at Golden Gate Park, such as The Summer of Love, etc.
There is also great food there, and museums, tons of different events, etc.
The Bay Area is just a rough term, that Ithrow around, to keep myself my where-abouts anonomous, since I do live in a much smaller town~
The Bay Area is not San Francisco folks, don't get the two confused. It is like saying Hoboken is NYC. Forgetaboutit Frankie!
I live here in the city of San Francisco not Oaktown, Oaklawn or some suburb mall town. I've been here for about the last 30 years and SF is the most opened mind city in the US. I am from around New York City. I've been all over this country and SF has largest variety of people, food, things to do, micro climates just about anywhere. It is pretty too. Go to any country in the world and mention the Golden Gate Bridge. They have all heard of it.
SF=Live and let live.
jules2551 is more accurate in her assessment in my opinion. And as far as hep C or whatever, no one bats an eye about how you got it. This is the city of Haight Ashberry, The Fillmore West, Love-ins, Tune in, Turn on and drop acid and all. Gee, people took drugs in the 60s? I'm just shocked, DOH!
Personal pot use is pretty much legal. I wish those damn High School kids would stop smoking it on the city buses cause I'm always getting a contact high.
It is legal to walk around on the street naked. Unfortunately it is always the last people in the world that you want to see naked (must be a law of the universe that Newton forgot about) that decide they just need to take their clothes off. I personally think its fine to be naked, but there outta be a law against ugliness. They could use some serious gym time too. It is really a crime against nature (or anyone with 20-20 vision) with some of these exhibitionists. I mean their bodies look more like a surrealist sculpture than a body of a man or woman. Lucky being in San Francisco we have karma here. Otherwise known as payback in most places. When that SF fog rolls in they freeze their tootsies and a few other parts off. ha ha
From the US News and Travel Report:
'Why go: With a reputation as one of the world's bohemian capitals, San Francisco is a city of unabashed open-mindedness and fierce uniqueness. Frequently referred to as the most European city in the States, San Francisco is both laid-back and cosmopolitan. '
Love it or leave it!
Hector
I live here in the city of San Francisco not Oaktown, Oaklawn or some suburb mall town. I've been here for about the last 30 years and SF is the most opened mind city in the US. I am from around New York City. I've been all over this country and SF has largest variety of people, food, things to do, micro climates just about anywhere. It is pretty too. Go to any country in the world and mention the Golden Gate Bridge. They have all heard of it.
SF=Live and let live.
jules2551 is more accurate in her assessment in my opinion. And as far as hep C or whatever, no one bats an eye about how you got it. This is the city of Haight Ashberry, The Fillmore West, Love-ins, Tune in, Turn on and drop acid and all. Gee, people took drugs in the 60s? I'm just shocked, DOH!
Personal pot use is pretty much legal. I wish those damn High School kids would stop smoking it on the city buses cause I'm always getting a contact high.
It is legal to walk around on the street naked. Unfortunately it is always the last people in the world that you want to see naked (must be a law of the universe that Newton forgot about) that decide they just need to take their clothes off. I personally think its fine to be naked, but there outta be a law against ugliness. They could use some serious gym time too. It is really a crime against nature (or anyone with 20-20 vision) with some of these exhibitionists. I mean their bodies look more like a surrealist sculpture than a body of a man or woman. Lucky being in San Francisco we have karma here. Otherwise known as payback in most places. When that SF fog rolls in they freeze their tootsies and a few other parts off. ha ha
From the US News and Travel Report:
'Why go: With a reputation as one of the world's bohemian capitals, San Francisco is a city of unabashed open-mindedness and fierce uniqueness. Frequently referred to as the most European city in the States, San Francisco is both laid-back and cosmopolitan. '
Love it or leave it!
Hector
Yes, exactly. That is what I strive for, and I dont neccesarily expect kindness back, that's not what it's all about. I do it for the simple act of doing it, to ease someone elses pain, if only temporarily.
And I have also been surprised and touched by the kindness some of
my aquaintences have shown me, in the past, when they knew I was going thru a rough time, when one of my family members was ill, etc.
And I have also been surprised and touched by the kindness some of
my aquaintences have shown me, in the past, when they knew I was going thru a rough time, when one of my family members was ill, etc.
If you show through your actions that you are not the same person you once were, some people will gradually come to accept that you have changed.
Some never will.
Things you have done and forgotten, they perhaps, have not. And it may not have been your shaved head or weird clothes. It may have been your vibe or your actions.
My best advice is to focus on awareness of your self and kindness to all.
Some never will.
Things you have done and forgotten, they perhaps, have not. And it may not have been your shaved head or weird clothes. It may have been your vibe or your actions.
My best advice is to focus on awareness of your self and kindness to all.
Well, I dont live in San Francisco, I am across the bay, in a much smaller town, and I have lived in my home town, my whole life.
So the people I feel are judging me, are people I went ot grammer school with, and high school with, and some of them are my FaceBook friends, but they dont even awknowledge me when they see me in town, etc. Alot of the people I grew up with, are very affluent, and havent been affected too much, by the decline in our economy.
In all fairness to them, when I was in my twenties and early thirties, I was a pretty loud and obnoxious drunk, and then a Crankster Gangster. I have changed, and forgotten that I used to do horrible things, like floss my teeth onn the bus, while talking about my Hep C, etc. I am not proud of the fact that I used to show up at our local coffee shop, tweeeking my brains out, with my head shaved, wearing a bath-robe, or worse, a pair of mens boxers, thinking they "passed" as shorts. I was pretty delusional, thus, the shaved head...I kept thinking I had "worms" in my hair : (
Years later, I did watch some 20/20 show where someone did come back from a trip from South America, and a Doctor did find some weird looking worm, under the persons scalp..aaaghhhh.
But yeah, some parts of San Francisco may be less judgemental.
I usually find, when I travel out of The Bay Area, like thru Nevada, that the people in the really small towns, are alot more friendly
So the people I feel are judging me, are people I went ot grammer school with, and high school with, and some of them are my FaceBook friends, but they dont even awknowledge me when they see me in town, etc. Alot of the people I grew up with, are very affluent, and havent been affected too much, by the decline in our economy.
In all fairness to them, when I was in my twenties and early thirties, I was a pretty loud and obnoxious drunk, and then a Crankster Gangster. I have changed, and forgotten that I used to do horrible things, like floss my teeth onn the bus, while talking about my Hep C, etc. I am not proud of the fact that I used to show up at our local coffee shop, tweeeking my brains out, with my head shaved, wearing a bath-robe, or worse, a pair of mens boxers, thinking they "passed" as shorts. I was pretty delusional, thus, the shaved head...I kept thinking I had "worms" in my hair : (
Years later, I did watch some 20/20 show where someone did come back from a trip from South America, and a Doctor did find some weird looking worm, under the persons scalp..aaaghhhh.
But yeah, some parts of San Francisco may be less judgemental.
I usually find, when I travel out of The Bay Area, like thru Nevada, that the people in the really small towns, are alot more friendly
I know many people who dress, drive, and live in fancy homes. and the truth is they don't have a pot to **** in, they are in hawk over their heads. Always thought SF was more liberal and caring. Guess i'm lucky to live in the midwest, frankly we could give a sh!t less what you wear or drive.
Im very honest when it comes to telling people how I got hep C. First of all I think we have to be for ourselves and what they think does not really matter to me because if they want to judge me then go right ahead....what matters is the fight and trying to make people aware and knowledgeable of what could happen if they make bad choices in their life(which I did) but what matters is what your doing now and helping prevent others by educating them. I have also found that most people dont care until it happens to them but that is the way our society is in general..."it could never happen to me ."
We all know that people are judgmental.
We are our own worst critics.
People are usually more concerned about themselves, than you.
Love and respect yourself.
Love and respect others.
Be grateful and communicate that.
If people in the health field are not able respect clients, someone needs to know. I don't want them to be fired, I want them to be educated.
Cheers,
C
We are our own worst critics.
People are usually more concerned about themselves, than you.
Love and respect yourself.
Love and respect others.
Be grateful and communicate that.
If people in the health field are not able respect clients, someone needs to know. I don't want them to be fired, I want them to be educated.
Cheers,
C
Honey, truth be told, most people don't give a hoot about what anyone else is wearing.
Years ago I recall fussing about what I was going to wear to meet someone. Then I thought, 'what were they wearing last time I saw them?'
I couldn't remember.
Money, clothes signs of material wealth do not make a person kind, caring and compassionate.
It isn't what makes them feel good about themselves.
What values are important to you ?
Those are the attributes to aspire towards.
I've found if I can focus my mind on kindness, it helps me feel better about myself.
It's not what you wear, it's how you feel, inside, about yourself.
Years ago I recall fussing about what I was going to wear to meet someone. Then I thought, 'what were they wearing last time I saw them?'
I couldn't remember.
Money, clothes signs of material wealth do not make a person kind, caring and compassionate.
It isn't what makes them feel good about themselves.
What values are important to you ?
Those are the attributes to aspire towards.
I've found if I can focus my mind on kindness, it helps me feel better about myself.
It's not what you wear, it's how you feel, inside, about yourself.
I am really surprised that the people living in SF would be prejudice or judgemental. I lived there for several years and thought just the opposite since such a diverse community lived there. I have lived all over the US and I thought that the people of SF were the most laid back and caring people I had ever met. JMHO
Jules
Jules
Internal Medicine Doctor? Thats what my gp is but i wouldn't want her treating my Hep-C
I am SO glad you dont discriminate against people.
In a Society where I see so many homeless, disabled people sleeping on the streets, I sometimes feel surprised that more people dont help them out, by giving them money to stay in a motel room, for the night.
When I was pregnant and homeless, many good people did give us donations, and I was able to stayin a motel every night,and subsequently, I got back on my feet.
But I also still feel the discrimination, here in my own home town. Although I have been clean and sober, for almost 13 yrs now, my own mother and three sisters will still not speak to me.
By reading the comments and results of this poll, one would get the impression that there was NOT alot of Social Stigma, concerning Hep C.
It might also be the area I live in, the San Francisco Bay Area. I know that people are continually practising Classism. They check out what kind of car I drive. What symbols are on my clothing. For Instance, I was lucky enough to find a discarded pair of shorts, that had the NorthFace insignia on them, and I noticed people were more friendly to me (if they didn't see my crappy car)
They look at what kind of shoes I am wearing, what kind of hair-cut I have (I cut my hair myself, to save money, so I cll it my CaveWoman Look) Classism and Stigma are alive and well, at least here, where I live.
In a Society where I see so many homeless, disabled people sleeping on the streets, I sometimes feel surprised that more people dont help them out, by giving them money to stay in a motel room, for the night.
When I was pregnant and homeless, many good people did give us donations, and I was able to stayin a motel every night,and subsequently, I got back on my feet.
But I also still feel the discrimination, here in my own home town. Although I have been clean and sober, for almost 13 yrs now, my own mother and three sisters will still not speak to me.
By reading the comments and results of this poll, one would get the impression that there was NOT alot of Social Stigma, concerning Hep C.
It might also be the area I live in, the San Francisco Bay Area. I know that people are continually practising Classism. They check out what kind of car I drive. What symbols are on my clothing. For Instance, I was lucky enough to find a discarded pair of shorts, that had the NorthFace insignia on them, and I noticed people were more friendly to me (if they didn't see my crappy car)
They look at what kind of shoes I am wearing, what kind of hair-cut I have (I cut my hair myself, to save money, so I cll it my CaveWoman Look) Classism and Stigma are alive and well, at least here, where I live.
"it is pretty rare for people to reinfect, after Tx, even people who actively use according to stats"
"Hahahhh. Where do I get this stuff? Like I have told you guys over and over agian, form my Most Beloved Doctor, Dr. Diana Sylvestre. She is an Internal Medicine Doctor, and an Addiction Psychiatrist"
"I got my Stats from her Lectures, concerning reinfection"
"Well, my Treatment Doctor happens to be an Internal Medicine Doctor, and an Addiction Psychiatrist, and I remember her telling us, if a person injects I.V. drugs, for a month, then there is a 50% chance they will have Hep C"
?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
"Hahahhh. Where do I get this stuff? Like I have told you guys over and over agian, form my Most Beloved Doctor, Dr. Diana Sylvestre. She is an Internal Medicine Doctor, and an Addiction Psychiatrist"
"I got my Stats from her Lectures, concerning reinfection"
"Well, my Treatment Doctor happens to be an Internal Medicine Doctor, and an Addiction Psychiatrist, and I remember her telling us, if a person injects I.V. drugs, for a month, then there is a 50% chance they will have Hep C"
?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
So ? what are you saying here? what was the purpose of this
poll? IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT PEOPLE LOOK LIKE!
OM good God!
As long as I've been here I've never seen this' anything like this!!
HCV does not care and neither do I. I still don't know how some of
my close friends got it , because it just does not matter!!!
Re:
Hemophilacs , your doctor is a good doctor however , I would like to know what the heck makes her so special than say..... some of our other hepatologists
and hematologists? treating a person with hemophilia takes, more than just
a MD , it takes all three on board.
It's not easy, not at all. Hemophilacs have been treating for a while now,
nothing new.
poll? IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT PEOPLE LOOK LIKE!
OM good God!
As long as I've been here I've never seen this' anything like this!!
HCV does not care and neither do I. I still don't know how some of
my close friends got it , because it just does not matter!!!
Re:
Hemophilacs , your doctor is a good doctor however , I would like to know what the heck makes her so special than say..... some of our other hepatologists
and hematologists? treating a person with hemophilia takes, more than just
a MD , it takes all three on board.
It's not easy, not at all. Hemophilacs have been treating for a while now,
nothing new.
Well, my Treatment Doctor happens to be an Internal Medicine Doctor, and an Addiction Psychiatrist, and I remember her telling us, if a person injects I.V. drugs, for a month, then there is a 50% chance they will have Hep C, but if they continue on to become addicted, and inject drugs for a year, then they have a 90% chance of contracting Hep C.
Back in the 90's, when she was doing intake work, at a methadone Clinic, she began noticing that most of the addicts had Hep C.
I go to a Hep C Support group, at her Clinic, and there are many people who attend these meetings. Some are Hemophiliacs, who sometimes even come from other States, to talk with my Doctor, because she is willing to treat people that other Doctors arent willing to treat, because of their health, etc.
When I first attended the meetings, I said to myy husband, lots of those older ladies in there looked very square, and two of them are nurses, you dont think they were Wild Childs' of the 70's, do you? And my husband would tease me back, saying they were still wild, and that a bunch of them kept winking at him, etc.
I know it may be "wrong" for me to think these things about my peers, and my curiousity doesn't stem from meaness of spirit. In fact, I really enjoy making people feel good about them-selves, and enjoy helping out animals, and the environment, etc.
I am just interested in Human Nature, Psych, and Sociology, etc.
Back in the 90's, when she was doing intake work, at a methadone Clinic, she began noticing that most of the addicts had Hep C.
I go to a Hep C Support group, at her Clinic, and there are many people who attend these meetings. Some are Hemophiliacs, who sometimes even come from other States, to talk with my Doctor, because she is willing to treat people that other Doctors arent willing to treat, because of their health, etc.
When I first attended the meetings, I said to myy husband, lots of those older ladies in there looked very square, and two of them are nurses, you dont think they were Wild Childs' of the 70's, do you? And my husband would tease me back, saying they were still wild, and that a bunch of them kept winking at him, etc.
I know it may be "wrong" for me to think these things about my peers, and my curiousity doesn't stem from meaness of spirit. In fact, I really enjoy making people feel good about them-selves, and enjoy helping out animals, and the environment, etc.
I am just interested in Human Nature, Psych, and Sociology, etc.
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