The Klipfontein and Mitchell’s Plain substructure staff and community interacted at their World Aids Day and International Day of Disabled Persons event on Thursday December 1 at the Watergate shopping centre.
The team raised awareness around Aids as well as disability. The theme for both this year is focused on equality, said Nicole Davids, occupational therapist for the Klipfontein and Mitchell’s Plain substructure.
“We’ve created awareness around this,” she said.
They’ve combined and collaborated on the informative engagement with the community as World Aids Day falls on December 1 International Day of Disabled Persons fell on December 3. They wanted to connect with more people at the same time, she said.
Ruwayda Hull, occupational therapist at the Klipfontein and Mitchell’s Plain substructure, said they want to break the stigma around having a disability.
“This engagement was to empower people with disabilities with resourceful, sustainable and safe environments. We’re encouraging people and bringing awareness. There are many disabilities that may go unnoticed such as blindness, or being deaf, to name a few,” she said.
The community were able to share their messages of hope and encouragement on a cloth they hung up for them to write their messages on. Those with disabilities could also share how they feel and give encouragement to abled-people.
Youngster Thulisa Kota, 18, from Phillipi, said she gets tested every month for HIV and Aids.
“I feel safe in knowing my status. As a young person it encourages me to encourage other young people to know what their status is,” she said.
Some of the people she has encountered with HIV and Aids feel like it’s the end of the world.
“It’s not the end, you can still live your life by staying healthy and taking care of yourself. You should take your medication if it is healthy and helps with your health. Eating right and living a healthy life will help you. Live your life to the fullest moment and be at peace,” she said.
Community member Shireen Lucas got tested at their stand. She said it is important to protect yourself and take care of your health by knowing your status.
Sizwe Nzimande, 28, from New woodlands, said Aids is something that can’t be cured but can be prevented, so get to know your status. “I got tested today to know my status and protect myself from any harm. I encourage each and every person to do the same,” he said.
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