Angelle De Leon
Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV mustn’t be perceived as a death sentence as one Netizen proved that it’s still possible to achieve one’s dream despite living with the said virus.
On his facebook page, a certain Raffy Ardemil, who was diagnosed with HIV in 2016, has uploaded a photo of his application form for graduation.
Based on the form, it suggests that he’s graduating from college this month.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart. PSALM 37:4,” Raffy wrote as a caption to the photo.
“This is it Lord! 😍❤,” he added.
In another facebook post, Ardemil admitted that he previously could not go to college because of his family’s financial problem.
When he was given a chance to go to college, he said he had to stop because he suffered from pneumonia and tuberculosis (TB) due to HIV.
“June 2015, nakapag-aral ako. I’ve been active sa school. Vice Pres. sa Educ. department, CSG Secretary, and dance troupe member. February 2016, nakaramdam ako ng ubo na di nawala, inisip ko na baka dala lang sa sobrang pagod ko kasi sumali ako ng street dancing at halos araw-araw ung practice at bilad sa araw,” Raffy narrated.
“Pinabayaan ko lang at nanghihina ang katawan ko at halos di na ako makahinga. Napansin ko na bumababa ang timbang ko, may mga rashes ako. Umabot pa yun ng May 2016 pinabayaan ko lang at baka mawala.
“Tatlong beses akong pabalik-balik sa doctor at nagpa-xray. ‘Yun nga bumalik ang TB ko at nagka-pneumonia kaya nag-suggest ang doctor na ipa-admit ako (sa hospital),” he said.
Raffy was bedridden in the hospital for almost two months.
“Naging bedridden ako for almost 2 months. Di ako makatayo, di ako makalakad, even tumagilid hindi ko kaya kasi nahihirapan akong huminga. Pero patuloy akong umaasa na gumaling ako. From 52 kilos naging 32 kilos ako. Grabe butot balat ako nung time na yun. Tapos for 56 days may injection ako sa braso araw-araw,” he noted.
“Two months akong halos nakipag-laban kay kamatayan. Pero I survived!”
Raffy believed that his strong faith in God was the reason why he is alive right now.
“Minsan I asked God, ‘Bakit ako? Ganun na ba ako kasama? Sobra2 na ba yung mga kasalanan na nagawa ko kaya pinarusahan mo ako ng ganito?’ But then I realized, these are the consequences of being a hard-headed person, being an irresponsible son,” he said.
“Problems and trials are always there but I want to thank God for giving me this second life, for giving those important people in my life who always there to take care of me, support and encouragement. And I thank God also for waking me up every morning seeing my loved ones. And even i have this virus right now i still feel blessed, naalala ko sabi nung nurse sa ‘kin, ‘virus lang yan, you can live a normal life, you can continue to pursue your dreams just trust Him fight a good fight of faith. Laban lang’,” he went on.
“Because of my strong faith in God and believing all of His promises, I am always ready to face and conquer the world with a happy life, joyful and gladness. Life must go on and we must live life to the fullest. Having this virus won’t make my journey end. God will always make a way that there seems to be no way. I will use this second life to inspire other people,” he added.
https://www.facebook.com/1155924864418137/posts/3075430012467603/
Raffy said he is now an HIV advocate who helps create awareness, and offer information about sexual health and HIV.
He said he also wants to correct the misconception about HIV as well as to help in lessening or stopping the stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV (PLHIV).
“Isa akong HiV advocate ngayon. I went to many places para maishare ang goodness ni Lord at maging inspiration sa mga kabataan. Helping other people to get tested. Spreading awareness to all people. And now patuloy kung tutuparin ang nga pangarap ko bilang isang HIV positive. Kasi alam kung hindi ito hadlang. HIV is not a death sentence.
“Sa mga kabataan ngayon. ‘Wag nyo akong gayahin. Hindi madali ang buhay ko bilang isang HIV positive. Ayokong mangyari sa inyo ang nangyari sa akin. Mahalin ninyo ang self nyo pati ang family ninyo,” he concluded.
