My Experience Attending the BCC3 Sharing and Learning Workshop Women’s Retreat at Loone Lake

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January 16, 2024
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My Experience Attending the BCC3 Sharing and Learning Workshop Women’s Retreat at Loone Lake

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I absolutely loved the ability to come together with other women living with HIV to learn and share from each other. Having the opportunity to just be me, openly and joyously in a completely safe space is amazing. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to meet other BCC3 participants and to learn from the BCC3 study team educators.

I really enjoyed engaging in group discussions that proved to be extremely beneficial for connection and learning. I found the short time we had to connect was a truly valuable experience, and I really felt like we were all family.

 

"Having the opportunity to just be me, openly and joyously in a completely safe space is amazing."

 

I value the importance of women living with HIV to connect, share and learn from each other. I will always continue to strongly advocate for more opportunities to bring women living with HIV together to develop greater bonds, social connections and a stronger sense of community. I believe that having an ongoing support system is crucial for our overall health and well being.

During my time at the retreat I felt loved, respected and listened to. I really enjoyed our free time to have fun, laugh and get to know one another. I absolutely love Loon Lake as it is such a healing environment bringing peace and serenity to everyone who stays there. Being in nature helps us to ground and better connect with who we truly are. We can feel free and release all fears of stigma and eliminate the feeling of being in isolation.

 

"Having an ongoing support system is crucial for our overall health and wellbeing."

 

I really do count on continuing opportunities to connect and grow together, as we all have so much to learn and share with each other about women living with HIV. Educating ourselves and others is crucial for our better understanding of how we can stay healthy and age gracefully. Connecting without stigma is enormously healing in itself and the more I can, the more normalized I feel as a women living with HIV.

I love to learn and educate myself and others, and the retreat allowed me to do so. I feel that education is crucial to empower ourselves and strengthen our confidence in advocating for what we need. Research needs to be ongoing specifically for women living with HIV now and looking forward as we age. We must be included in all research opportunities as we are the future. I look forward to many more times together and to further expand our group connections.

 

"Connecting without stigma is enormously healing in itself..."

 

I no longer feel alone as I have met so many other women living with HIV and I need that ongoing support and ability to connect for my social well being. I live with stigma in my daily life and I carry this huge burden of the secret of having HIV. I can only talk openly and freely in a safe space as this retreat provided for me. I cherish these times and I look forward to many more.

In closing, I absolutely loved the retreat at Loon Lake and I wish we had more time to be together as our bonds were just beginning to develop and that’s what keeps us connected even when we are apart. I am truly grateful and honoured that I was chosen to participate in this very special BCC3 Sharing and Learning Workshop at such an amazing venue.

I look forward to many more participation opportunities.

Thank you,

Deveilyau Tymusko

Victoria, BC

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