Before anything I would recommend that you talk to an HIV counselor at the HIV agency where you have your case management. Most agencies in the United States offer mental health as one of the services that is provided under the Ryan White program. It is essential that you understand how HIV will affect you going forward and what you can do to maintain a healthy perspective and in doing so,.. a healthy life.

In my personal case, since the first day I was diagnosed, I have always thought that there are worse diseases like vancer and diabetes, if I don't say that I'm sick, nobody notices 😃

En mi caso personal, desde el primer día que me diagnosticaron, siempre he pensado que existen enfermedades peores como el vancer y la diabetes, yo si no dogo que estoy enfermo nadie se da cuenta 😃

Staying positive is not a luxury, positivity & optimism are required whether managing HIV or washing dishes

I've always tried to maintain a positive attitude. Perhaps it is the fact that I taught for 29 years in a middle school classroom and being positive was first and foremost for my kids. I've had a few health issues over the years and approached each with a proactive and positive attitude. My entire teaching philosophy was based on a book introduced in college - Living, Loving and Learning by Leo Buscaglia. I also carried that philosophy into my personal life. The reason I hit the road full time in 2019 was because I could tell my body was taking a beating with the side effects of 24 years on anti-viral HIV medications. Never in my life have I uttered, why me? All my journals over the years will expose my life story after I am gone, if my family takes the time to read them. Positive notes are spread throughout the years in those journals. Do I have health issues today? Yes! But maintaining a positive attitude keeps me going to the next day, the next adventure and the next location on my travels. This is me and what I do to be positive dealing with HIV. I am not judging anyone else and what they are going through. Just like in the classroom, I didn't know what any child was dealing when they enter my classroom and I don't know what others are experiencing in their battle dealing with this disease. Live your best life - be wild, be brave, be curious! And of course, be positive.