I really wish that I could go to the Stop TB Partnership Forum in Rio. Unfortunately I need to have a vaccine for yellow fever, however it is a live vaccine. I am HIV-positive and my CD4 count is very low and I have been advised by my doctor against having it. Hey ho! But it doesn’t stop me from participating in ways, for example in this blog.
I have worked in the field of TB since 1995. I was inspired to get involved because of my own experience of MDR-TB, and on learning that multidrug-resistance is a man-made problem. It makes sense to me that the solution must therefore be man-made also. I wan’t to play my part in being part of the solution.
I wonder sometimes what motivates other people, especially the TB/MDR-TB affected community to get involved. It isn’t the money that is for sure, LOL! For me the motivation is my anger. How can we have gotten to this place? The crisis the world faces on TB is shocking and unacceptable. I want to channel my anger into something constructive. I know for some others motivation springs from a sense of injustice about inadequate access to treatment in their own countries, for some it may even be a religious, or spiritual calling? I am interested to know what other instincts or reasons inspire and motivate others to get involved in the battle against TB.
February 13, 2009 at 6:23 am
Thanks Paul, well expressed – you are absolutely right on spot that mechanisms for people who cannot go to the meetings (and everyone who is involved in TB control can never go to one meeting) like web 2.0 tools including blogs – where the power rests with the people and they can speak their world unfiltered, unscripted and unedited – are redifing what participation and engagement may mean.
The drug-resistant strains of TB undoubtedly make one angry – and the answer truly lies in forging effective and genuine partnerships with different agencies. These partnerships need to be strengthened with every agency that can join forces – and complement each others’ impact. For instance, those agencies working on HIV/AIDS, nutrition, poverty, health systems etc need to be equal partners – genuinely – in TB care and control.
February 15, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Dear Paul
Thanks for commming to India. either you are attending or not attending this conferece but you are largely contributing to create a new cadre of TB Advocates. Thanks a lot for motivating ARDA-INDIA TB JUMPSTART TEAM funded by USAID.
February 16, 2009 at 5:33 am
Dear Paul
Very inspring words and deeds from you. I thought why a person after treatment should bother about the disease he was suffering from? You answered this and many other questions. I think it is eqqually applicable for TB, HIV and leprosy. Persons affected are highly motivated. They experienced it and can understand other sufferers better than anybody else.
Be happy that you are influencing the Rio conference even when you are not attending!
February 16, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I can honestly tell you that outrage was part of what sustained me through my 9-month TB treatment, after being incorrectly diagnosed and treated for other respiratory conditions for 3 years. What motivates me now is the hope that by telling my story I will raise consciousness on the issue: improve medical care and social support for the many in treatment and recovery, increase funding, and avoid situations like mine through education and prevention. I may not get to the Rio Conference either, but I am starting locally to network and change the TB picture in my area.
February 20, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Dear Paul,
excellent explanation. It is difficult to find correct words… Well done, your contribution as advocate is highly appritiated. Use all the opportunities to tell you words
Best
April 3, 2010 at 5:15 am
I think it is very nice and useful idea of my dear Paul. I agree with you and thanks for this nice sharing.