HIV/AIDS, Disability and Dignity: HIV/AIDS, Disability and Dignity: Community empowerment and Community empowerment and

microfinancemicrofinance

Rachel Thibeault, Ph.DRachel Thibeault, Ph.DOccupational Therapy ProgramOccupational Therapy Program

Disability in a nutshellDisability in a nutshellBetween 8% and 12% of any given Between 8% and 12% of any given population.population.The percentage is growing. Why? The percentage is growing. Why? The disabilities carrying the most The disabilities carrying the most ostracism?ostracism?Leprosy, deafness, fistulas, albinism…Leprosy, deafness, fistulas, albinism…Mental disability : 450 M – without Mental disability : 450 M – without treatment, dignity and rights.treatment, dignity and rights.The poorest of the poorThe poorest of the poor

Who has the “lived knowledge”:Who has the “lived knowledge”:The people with disabilities or The people with disabilities or

the experts?the experts?

What are their needs?What are their needs?

The experts' unanimous position: The experts' unanimous position: ARVs.ARVs.

The people's perspectiveThe people's perspective

Food securityFood security

EducationEducation

Employment -RehabilitationEmployment -Rehabilitation

TransportationTransportation

DrugsDrugs

Tackling three core issuesTackling three core issues

1.1. Ensuring access to food, education Ensuring access to food, education and services for People with and services for People with Disabilities and their childrenDisabilities and their children

2.2. Addressing the disabilities brought on Addressing the disabilities brought on by HIV/AIDSby HIV/AIDS

3.3. Meeting the needs of the most Meeting the needs of the most vulnerable: How do you define and vulnerable: How do you define and AIDS victim?AIDS victim?

1- Ensuring access to food,education 1- Ensuring access to food,education and services for People with Disabilities and services for People with Disabilities

and their childrenand their children

Community mobilizationCommunity mobilization

Leadership trainingLeadership training

Meeting basic needsMeeting basic needs

Political lobbyingPolitical lobbying

2-Addressing the disabilities 2-Addressing the disabilities brought on by HIV/AIDS without ARTbrought on by HIV/AIDS without ART

TB and malariaTB and malariaCandidal infections (oesophagus – Candidal infections (oesophagus – painful swallowing)painful swallowing)Acute diarrheaAcute diarrheaNomaNomaEncephalitis – meningitis (TB or non-Encephalitis – meningitis (TB or non-TB, resulting often in deafness)TB, resulting often in deafness)

2-Addressing the disabilities brought on 2-Addressing the disabilities brought on by HIV/AIDS without ARTby HIV/AIDS without ART

Stroke: in young children - infectious Stroke: in young children - infectious embolismsembolismsNeurosyphillisNeurosyphillis

DementiaDementia

DepressionDepression

Anxiety disordersAnxiety disorders

2-Addressing the disabilities brought on 2-Addressing the disabilities brought on by HIV/AIDS with ARTby HIV/AIDS with ART

AnemiaAnemiaDizzinessDizzinessSleep disturbancesSleep disturbancesMemory lossMemory lossDifficulty concentratingDifficulty concentratingPeripheral neuropathyPeripheral neuropathyMyopathyMyopathy

2- Addressing the disabilities brought 2- Addressing the disabilities brought on by HIV/AIDS with or without ARTon by HIV/AIDS with or without ART

«« Regular » protocols for the  Regular » protocols for the conditions identifiedconditions identifiedNutritionNutritionHousing (crowded conditions)Housing (crowded conditions)SanitationSanitationTraining the familyTraining the family

3- Meeting the needs of the most vulnerable: 3- Meeting the needs of the most vulnerable: Who are the AIDS victims?Who are the AIDS victims?

The young girls – specially young girls The young girls – specially young girls with disabilities – the virgin cure mythwith disabilities – the virgin cure myth

The orphansThe orphans

Women in generalWomen in general

The elderlyThe elderly

Microfinance as one key toolMicrofinance as one key tool