Programs & Services > David Kelley Services > HIV/AIDS Community Counselling > Living life to the fullest after being diagnosed with HIV

Issues you may be facing

Living life to the fullest after being diagnosed with HIV

Whether you are continuing to work, or are no longer in the workforce, learning how to live life to the fullest is a common concern for people who have survived with HIV for long periods of time.

For many, regardless of HIV status, society has dictated to us that we are what we do - we are our career. Many who are HIV positive who've left their jobs, due to health or other reasons, eventually discover, through their search for new ways to define themselves, that "being their career" was in fact a rather limiting view of themselves.

In fact, many find that there a numerous ways of defining themselves, including who they are with respect to their current relationships and their involvement in their community; and via their own unique gifts and talents, values and their philosophies about what life really is all about.

If you're at a stage where you're wondering where to go next in your life, the following are a few of the many options available to you to explore:

Talk to friends, family, a therapist or a spiritual advisor

For many people, being HIV positive and living with chronic illness can raise thoughts about the meaning of life and other spiritual questions. Often people wonder how long they can survive with their illness as well as ponder the quality of their lives. Others feel guilty because they have survived while others haven't. It may be helpful to explore these feelings with friends, family, a therapist and/or a spiritual or religious advisor. Joining a support group for people who are HIV positive may also give you an opportunity to discuss your thoughts and feelings with others who are in the same situation.

Become a volunteer

There are also a lot of people, who are HIV positive, who do volunteer work in the community. For many, volunteer work allows people to use talents and skills that they've developed in their work life. Volunteer work can also be arranged in such a way that it can accommodate any physical limitations that you may be experiencing or medication regimes that you may be on. Volunteer work can also allow you to develop new skills that you may have been interested in but didn't have the opportunity to explore. For more information about volunteer work in Toronto and the surrounding area, call the Volunteer Centre of Toronto at 416-961-6888.

For more information about volunteering for our David Kelley HIV/AIDS Community Counselling Services, or the David Kelley Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Trans/Queer Counselling Services call 416-595-9230, ext. 235.

See an employment counsellor

A big part of our identity in society is based on "what we do". Whether or not to continue working or to return to work after having left due to health issues is a major one for people who are HIV positive. It may be valuable to talk to an employment counsellor about your options.

To speak to an employment counsellor, call the AIDS Committee of Toronto at 416-340-8484.