Roland Chesters
Teoksen Ripples from the Edge of Life tekijä
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- Roland Chesters was born in the north of England to an English father and French mother and has lived most of his life in London. He graduated from the Royal Holloway College with a degree in Modern Languages and after a variety of jobs joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as a language-testing specialist. Following a diagnosis of HIV and AIDS in 2006, he became a campaigner for disability rights. He is now a self-employed Disability Development Consultant and and was a finalist in the 2019 National Diversity Awards as a Role Model for Disability.
Roland lives with his partner, Richard, in London and enjoys opera, classical music, theatre and fashion (his favourite item of clothing being a bright red corduroy suit). He fights boredom and normality with gusto, and says he is at his best when he’s made a positive impact on someone else’s life.
‘Ripples from the Edge of Life’ is Roland’s first (and only according to him) book.
Jäseniä
Kirja-arvosteluja
In “Ripples From the Edge of Life”, the author, Roland Chesters, shares his first-hand experiences from his initial diagnosis to his eventual reconciliation with the terrible virus HIV/AIDs. The author then introduces us to a larger and broader community, including the voices of fourteen diverse HIV/AIDS survivors, as well as several health care professionals working in this field, and a handful of friends/colleagues occupying the relationship “ripples” surrounding the author and his story.
I found this book fascinating, frightening, saddening, uplifting, and informative - all at the same time.
I consider myself a reasonably well-informed person, but was appalled at how little I found I understood the current world of HIV/AIDS. It seems my awareness really stopped in the mid- 80’s to 90’s, my early adulthood period, and the facts as I knew them reflected in the movie “Philadelphia”, and other media of that vintage. This was long before the development and subsequent refinement of the life-altering antiretroviral drugs, and was back when a diagnosis of HIV was largely a death sentence, the shame and stigma attached was pervasive, and legal, social and community supports for the afflicted were scarce.
I am so happy to have read this eye-opening book which has not only allowed me to glimpse the pain, suffering and incredible trauma this terrible virus continues to cause, but also to witness the hope, bravery, and wonder of the survivors who have found value and meaning during their recovery via advocacy, compassion, education, and care for others in the community. And yes, stigma and shame is still out there, - but as the author and his voices repeatedly point out, (although sadly there are huge geographical gaps in this coverage), in general there has been tremendous progress made in HIV/AIDS treatments, socialization and acceptance.
Four wonderful thank-you-sharing-such-insight stars.
A big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Silver Wood Books, , and the author for an opportunity to read this book.… (lisätietoja)
I found this book fascinating, frightening, saddening, uplifting, and informative - all at the same time.
I consider myself a reasonably well-informed person, but was appalled at how little I found I understood the current world of HIV/AIDS. It seems my awareness really stopped in the mid- 80’s to 90’s, my early adulthood period, and the facts as I knew them reflected in the movie “Philadelphia”, and other media of that vintage. This was long before the development and subsequent refinement of the life-altering antiretroviral drugs, and was back when a diagnosis of HIV was largely a death sentence, the shame and stigma attached was pervasive, and legal, social and community supports for the afflicted were scarce.
I am so happy to have read this eye-opening book which has not only allowed me to glimpse the pain, suffering and incredible trauma this terrible virus continues to cause, but also to witness the hope, bravery, and wonder of the survivors who have found value and meaning during their recovery via advocacy, compassion, education, and care for others in the community. And yes, stigma and shame is still out there, - but as the author and his voices repeatedly point out, (although sadly there are huge geographical gaps in this coverage), in general there has been tremendous progress made in HIV/AIDS treatments, socialization and acceptance.
Four wonderful thank-you-sharing-such-insight stars.
A big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Silver Wood Books, , and the author for an opportunity to read this book.… (lisätietoja)
Tilastot
- Teokset
- 1
- Jäseniä
- 5
- Suosituimmuussija
- #1,360,914
- Arvio (tähdet)
- 4.7
- Kirja-arvosteluja
- 2
- ISBN:t
- 1
Roland Chesters didn't expect to be diagnosed with HIV.
Why would he, when he had a monogamous relationship with his partner Richard, and only had one previous partner? This personal account documents the shock and aftermath of his diagnosis. It takes the reader on a journey through his treatment, his subsequent difficulties at work and the impact of learning to live with such a shattering, life-changing illness.
Undoubtedly, Roland reached some terrible low points, but his fighting spirit to overcome is inspiring. How amazing his partner was - I think this is one of the major points conveyed - that having a loving, supportive partner, family and friends is so important.
I have enormous admiration for Roland and all the other contributors who have shared such personalexperiences to help others with such openness and candour.Â
The latter part of the book includes the diverse experiences of men and women living with HIV. I was truly moved by all of these accounts.
My recommendation: Definitely read - 5 stars - An educational and enlightening read on the challenges of those diagnosed with HIV which facilitates discussion on the topic of life changing hidden illnesses and AIDS/HIV.
Note: Thank you to the author for a paperback copy which I was pleased to give an honest review for. … (lisätietoja)