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 nzgirl Jewel Grimshaw was 21 when her life changed dramatically, after she was told that she was HIV Positive.
Contrary to popular stereotypes, she had not been sleeping around, she wasn’t a drug addict and she wasn’t from a third world country. She contracted the virus from her ex-fiance, when she was just 16.
AIDS is no longer a virus reserved for gay men and poverty stricken people in developing nations. It’s a disease that is affecting nzgirls from all walks of life, just like you.
Since 1985 almost 2500 people have been diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand. However, the real number is estimated to be closer to 4,000. And of that figure, at least 400 are thought to be women. Positive Women is an organisation dedicating to supporting those women, and helping to raise awareness and break stereotypes of the virus.
 Last week the organisation launched a new campaign, putting the faces of HIV positive women out into the public. Positive Women’s national co-ordinator Jane Burning (pictured right) says the aim is to challenge the stereotypes by letting the women tell their own stories.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV kills or damages the cells of the body’s immune system, eventually destroying the body’s ability to fight infections.
The virus is spread through unprotected sex (even oral) with an infected person, contact with an infected person’s blood, from mother to child, the use of infected blood products and through the sharing of needles. We spoke to Jewel Grimshaw, one of the gorgeous faces behind the Positive Women campaign and asked her to share her story with us… How did you become HIV positive? I was infected by my ex fiancé. I contracted the virus through unprotected sex. How long have you had the disease? I have had the virus since I was 16 (93/94). I wasn’t diagnosed until 1997 when I was 21-years-old. How did you feel when you were told that you had HIV? It was totally devastating. I thought my life was over. I thought I would never be with a man again and I thought that no one could love me. I went through depression, anger
and most of all sadness. How, if at all, has your life changed since becoming HIV positive? Let’s just say I have learnt who my friends are since being diagnosed. I can listen to my body a lot easier now, I know when my body is fighting off infections. What piece of advice would you give to other nzgirls who have HIV, and for those who don’t? For those that are negative, I would say don’t let one moment of pleasure without using a condom become the worst decision you have ever made! And to anyone who is positive - keep your head high. Being positive is nothing to be ashamed of!  Do you think there is enough awareness and support in New Zealand in regards to HIV?I think women in New Zealand are not aware that HIV can and will affect them. It is time New Zealand women woke up and realised that it can affect us all. Why do you support Positive Women? I support Positive Women because they support me no matter what! They are an organisation that is for women and we should all use the service as they all know what we are going through.
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