He is currently working as a Peer Intern for Avita Pharmacy with Alliance.
Ismael is also training with the AIDS Institute and Department of Health to become a certified Peer Worker.
I was diagnosedHIV-positiveand AIDS symptomatic in the 1990s.
Photo courtesy of Ismael Ruiz / Designed by Julie Bang / Verywell
I was in my early 20s, and I thought my life was over.
Back in the day, there was heavier stigma around HIV.
I felt that I wasnt worthy of being around people because of my diagnosis.
I knew I couldnt live like this; it didnt really feel like I was living at all.
I sought help from a mental health professional who referred me toAlliance for Positive Change.
To re-enter the world, I needed community, empathy, and help to navigate the intimidating clinical scene.
Doing the Work
In 2006, I enrolled in Alliances career readiness education program for six months.
I then became a community member advocate for a patient program.
I liked interacting with people who needed my help.
It feels good to be needed.
My time helping patients gave me this new empowerment.
I started to believe that I can control this disease.I dont live with it, it lives with me.
Ismael Ruiz
I started to believe that I can control this disease.
I dont live with it, it lives with me.
About two years ago, I moved into Avita Pharmacy through Alliance where I am currently working.
This caters to the undetectable program, U=U (undetectable = untransmittable).
Having anundetectable viral loadmeans that a person cant pass on HIV through sex.
Part of this work is drug observational therapy.
Its a forum amongst peers.
Treatment and Empowerment
When I was diagnosed, medication was not what it is today.
There were horrible side effects that made being in public too embarrassing.
One medication made me lose all of my body fat.
The doctor didnt know what was going on, and my bloodwork didnt give any answers.
So, I did some research on the medication and tried cutting the dosage in half.
Slowly, I started to gain weight and my doctor was shocked.
He said he would have never realized that the two-pill dosage was too strong for my system.
This is why you gotta advocate for yourself.
Doctors are overwhelmed, and everyone has their individual system and reactions.
Only you know what is working for you.
Alliance really helped me with this.
It made me feel like I could be present in the clinic and be more than just a patient.
I learned to be proactive with my treatment.
Its empowering to do this around people who understand.
It made me feel like I could be present in the clinic and be more than just a patient.
I learned to be proactive with my treatment.
And it was the same with mymental health.
He introduced me to a resource, but I made the steps to get involved.
You have to want it for yourself in order for it to work for you.
Thats what Id like people to take away from this.
No one is going to give you what you need unless you do it yourself.
No matter how ugly the world is, there will always be some punch in of light.
Just reach out and speak your truth.
Everybody needs a little help and compassion.
2023;402(10400):464-471. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00877-2
