It took me a long time to realize that I am more than my diagnosis. I don't think of my illness that much and even when I take my pills it really doesn't cross my mind. It took me a long time to come to the terms of having HIV, then AIDS, and what it all meant in the moment, but at the end of the day I am still the same person who I was, maybe a little better.

I have my days where it doesn't bother me, then there are those days where I still want to say, "why me?" I try not to dwell on it because I don't want to fall into a depressive state. I'm learning to love me in my uniqueness and loving those that love me.

It definitely doesn't bother me as much especially since my family started treating me differently. I just give it to God. Mind my business take care my daughter. Take my meds and just remind myself I am not the virus anymore. It's been 7 years now so that's where I stand.

I've had 37 years to deal with this. Mostly alone! Couldn't tell anyone, and certainly not any of the family. I was told I'm no longer a part of the family, all because I'm gay. If they knew about hiv, they'd probably would have killed me! Years of abuse, church abuse, strict hellfire, damnation drilled into me, I was a wreck with all of that and then to become poz at 24yrs old. I went through hell emotionally, alone, and basically gave up because I knew probably within 6 months I'd be dead. Well...37 years and I'm here to tell my story. My biggest thing was to accept myself for me, and to love myself, and since I didn't die, I decided to live. My life may not have turned out like I had thought, but I'm here and I have my sanity, and I love myself. Once I worked through all the emotions life had given me, I hardly ever think about being poz! I've been blessed to not have any opportunistic diseases through the years. I let go of fear. Fear of death. It used to control me, now, I live my life alone, peaceful, and if someone comes along to share it with, that would be wonderful. If not, I'm finally at peace with myself