Mark’s Story

My name is Mark. I’m eight years old.

Being eight is fun.

I live with my mom and my sister,

Kate. I love my mom and my sister

and I know they love me.

My aunt Joe lives across the road. I go to Aunt Joe after school. Mom works late and Kate’s homework keeps her busy. Aunt Joey is kind. She always asks how I am feeling. I can see that she feels sad when I don’t feel well. She always makes sure that I eat something healthy for lunch.

Sometimes Aunt Joe helps me with my homework. Aunt Joe can also tell wonderful stories. I love adventure stories. Aunt Joe and I have a lot of fun together.

My best friend is Kerishnie. She lives in the flat downstairs. We walk to school together and we are in the same class at school. We also like to read and play games.

I like school a lot. Our teacher is Miss Gumede. I am really good at reading. I like to read lots of different books. I like drawing too and puzzles. Soccer is my favourite game.

My teacher is kind. She listens to all the many things we want to talk about. That’s my favourite time of the school day …reading is also my favourite time.

Today I stayed away from school. I have a bad cold. I stayed at Aunt Joe’s. She gave me some chicken soup for lunch. I slept for a long time.

Staying away from school upsets me. Last month I was in hospital because my chest was infected.

It was awful being lonely. I was glad when I was well enough to come home.

Kerishnie learnt about germs at school today. Some germs can make us ill. Some germs are found in blood. Germs live everywhere.

It is important to eat healthy foods, like fruit and vegetables. Too many sweets are not good either. Food and drinks should be kept in a clean place away from litter.

Exercise is also something that is

important to keep yourself healthy.

If someone falls while playing and they are bleeding ask someone for help. It is not a good idea to touch someone else's blood without using gloves or a plastic bag.

Some illnesses are caused by a virus which is a type of germ. That's how I got sick. I got infected with a virus when I was born. Mom calls it HIV. Some people calls it AIDS. HIV is different from germs. HIV lives in our blood and the fluids inside our body. You can't get HIV from touching someone who has it. You can't get it from sharing your food or drink with someone who has it.

HIV is very tiny and lives in my body. The virus does not always make me feel sick. Most days I feel great. Usually when someone is sick the body protects and defends itself by making special soldier cells that fight the germs and viruses. These soldiers are called antibodies. Sometimes the body can't make enough soldier cells or antibodies to fight and prevent an illness.

Some illnesses are serious and can make you very weak; others are not. HIV is a serious illness and that's why it is important for me to keep as healthy as I can.

Some people don't understands about the HIV infection and when they hear about it they often say and do some hurtful things.

Kerishnie said she thought about me today. She is a goodfriend. She knows about my HIV. She helps me feel better.Not all children are as kind as she is. Kerishnie understandsWhy Aunt Joe likes me to eat healthy food, to exercise and totake long rests. One day at school Miss Gumede talked aboutHIV to the class. I feel better now and can tell them about me..

My team mates at soccer also did not

understand. They complained to the coach that I got tired too easily and shouldn’t play in the team. This really made me angry and

disappointed. I like being part of the team.

At our practice session coach Cox made us all sit

down together in a group to talk about what was

happening. He said we should think of things that

would not make me run too much. We thought about a lot of ideas.

We decided that I will help to prepare the team for matches. I

make sure that all the players wear the correct number shirt and that the oranges are ready for half-time. I also keep score of the game. My mom bought me a teddy bear and dressed him up in the jersey and shorts of our school team.

My mom and Kate are really proud of me for being so brave. So is Aunt Joe. I understand that being HIV is changing a lot of things in our lives. I know my family and friends care about me and Mom. I am glad I could share my story with you. Maybe you know someone who has HIV like me. Can you

think of something kind you could do for them?