Personal stories go beyond a sharing of events – they help to break down barriers and reduce stigma by ‘normalising’ previously taboo subjects. Sharing these experiences spreads real information about the effects on physical health, mental health, and social connection – and can share practical advice about how to access services and what happens in those services.
Hopefully these first-hand stories can serve to encourage others to take the initial steps in being tested and treated; they are shared by people from a variety of walks of life – with different experiences of dealing with hepatitis.
Lived experience stories
Hepatitis Australia, Canberra. 6 short stories.
A selection of personal stories from people in Australia who have been affected by hepatitis B or hepatitis C. They discuss the challenges they have faced, what they have learned on their journey and, for some, the joy of being cured of hepatitis C.
Joseph Li: a fibroscan saved my life
Hepatitis SA, Adelaide, 2024. Video 16:14 minutes
Joseph Li – and his wife Julie – talk about his hepatitis B story and how a fibroscan clinic organised by Hepatitis SA at his local community association, led to an early diagnosis of liver cancer, which he believes “saved his life”. In Cantonese with English subtitles.
TX! Mag: ‘getting’ it right’ and ‘ don’t wanna lose you’
Hepatitis NSW, Sydney, 2024. 32p.
Easy-read magazine featuring real stories from people affected by hep C : young Andy got hep C sharing a fit. Stigma and discrimination weigh heavily upon his mind, but Aunty Liz gives great information and assists Andy on his treatment journey. Laura has had hep C for years and really, REALLY does not want to talk about it. However, her daughter, Katie, has other ideas.
Powerful and free: an honest conversation about hepatitis B
Hepatitis Queensland, Brisbane, 2022. Video 5:19 minutes
Since her diagnosis Bec has realised there is a lack of understanding about hep B, both from health care providers and Indigenous community. “…many barriers stand in the way of access to treatment which must be broken down before we can begin to address how the virus is transmitted and what it means to be a carrier”.
Hepatitis NSW, Sydney, 2022. 29-41p.
This tri-lingual printed book contains twelve personal stories detailing lived experience, from people in NSW communities affected by hepatitis B.
Vital voices: personal stories of hepatitis C, treatment and cure
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society & Centre for Social Research in Health, Sydney/Melbourne, 2022. Website.
Aims to support people living with hep C thinking about treatment and to inform the public about hep C. Based on 50 interviews across age, gender (inc. non-binary) and different cultural backgrounds.
Ayanda is pregnant
Hepatitis Queensland, Brisbane, 2020. Video 1:52 minutes
This animation shows Ayanda talking to a health nurse about how hepatitis B may affect her and her baby (exploring the context for women who have immigrated from high prevalence countries). Part of the Living Well with Hepatitis B set of resources available from this link.
More personal stories in a variety of formats are available via our catalogue.
Please contact us for more information or assistance in accessing resources.
Last updated 17 September 2024
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