Brighter Side of Things

In these times of fear and uncertainty, it can be hard to see a brighter side or a silver lining, no matter which direction we look. It is hard for us all, and even more difficult for a segment of our community who were already surviving on the margins. If you are like me, you may be able to secure the things you need for your basic survival and that of your family, if you have one. Sadly, not everyone is so able as many of us are. We have seen this over the years in our hep C community, with access to health care and treatment being a struggle. This is on top of the lack of ready-access to the basic necessities of life.

Stigma and discrimination

It has presented huge challenges for the people in our community who find themselves in this place of disadvantage. Is there any silver lining or bright side to them? It is hard to imagine if you have ever known poverty or been part of a visible minority that struggles due to systemic discrimination. Stigma doesn’t begin to address some of the other ways that minority folks are treated, but can add to the struggle.

Helping people to navigate the process for access to hep C care is one place we have seen some progress. Although not the only or most important solution to all the issues people face, it is one important step for more people. Is it something we can describe as the bright side is subjective, and it doesn’t address the systemic day-to-day discrimination that most minorities face.

What we can do

We can do more, and we should do that if we can. We choose to help others and it is a deliberate action we can take. How much each of us does depends on our own situation, in our health and whether we have all of the things we all require to remain well. Some of us can do more, and if you are one who can, will you try, please? Perhaps we can grow the brightness and increase the silver in that cloud's lining so that it is more than a mere sliver.

One immutable bright light is that we can cure people of hep C, and we can do that with almost everyone as long as the cascade of care doesn’t fail along the way between testing, assessment, treatment, and aftercare. This is truly wonderful, that we can cure this disease. If there is a brighter side to hep C, this is most assuredly it.