Rav’s Story

While growing up in Uzbekistan, at the age of 2, Rav was diagnosed with hepatitis B. As a result, Rav was not allowed to play sports at school with his friends. Thankfully, Rav’s family spared no cost in helping him, and by the age of 20, he was able to live with hepatitis B and not worry about it much. However, after arriving in Canada, he told his new family doctor about his condition, and she ran many tests. The results showed that he has both liver cirrhosis as well as hepatitis D co-infection. While being supported by his family and clinical staff, Rav awaits new treatment options for hepatitis D. He is eager to educate communities about hepatitis B and D and help support efforts to find better treatments for both.

Discussion Questions and Answers:

How did Rav’s childhood experiences with hepatitis B affect his social life and self-image?
(He was excluded from sports and physical activities, which made him feel different from his peers. Yet, he sometimes sneaked out to play soccer to prove he was “normal.”)

What challenges did Rav face as he transitioned to adult healthcare in a new country?
(After moving to Canada, he was diagnosed with advanced liver disease and hepatitis D, showing the importance of ongoing medical monitoring and the difficulties immigrants can face navigating new healthcare systems.)

How does Rav’s story demonstrate the role of family support in managing chronic illness?
(His loving family encourages him, helping him maintain hope and resilience as he awaits new treatments and continues to live an active life with his daughters.)

#justB Hopeful