As we approach World AIDS Day on December 1, 2010 I want to hear how HIV/AIDS affects you. Comment on this blog and tell us your story. Are you positive or negative? Who do you know that is positive? Are you getting tested regularly? Are you too scared to tested?
Lets get the conversations started everyone. If you are want to share your story but haven't told anyone yet just email me directly to me on FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/nathan.wise1
I want to hear your story.
I am very lucky that after a somewhat wild lifestyle when I was younger I am not positive. How do I know this? Because I go get tested regularly...yes regularly. I took a health class when I was 16, and although it did not change my wild (and stupid) ways, one thing I did always do was go to the clinic and get checked. At the minimum every 6 months. Even though I am in a long term relationship, I continue to get tested regularly. I have several residents on the property that I work on that are HIV positive and 1 that has progressed to full blown AIDS. There are 2 people in my personal life that I know are HIV positive, and probably a few more that I don't know about. You are right Nathan, it's a conversation that definitely needs to happen!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. Spread the word and lets get more people talking.
ReplyDeleteThis story was sent to me on FaceBook from my friend Archer. He was not able to be verified on here so he sent via FaceBook to share. Thank you Archer.
ReplyDeleteArcher Wrote:
HIV and AIDS affects my life everyday and in many ways even though I'm HIV negative. The conversations that I must have on a daily with people that are uneducated (which also means the are fearful of the anyone with the virus) changes how I would prefer my conversations to unfold. I am dispelling myths and fighting prejudice daily. My own doctor assumed I was HIV positive and attributed my weightloss and digestive issues as AIDS related and presribed a diet that would be good for an AIDS paitient but the opposite of what a Celiac paitient (gluten intolerance). In my quest for a finding a solution to my weightloss, I had to begin each conversation with "No, I'm HIV negative".
I am greatful that I am negative. My experiences with being assumed positive (and all the friends that are positive or that I lost) have changed the organizations that I support and volunteer for. I push condoms all the time. I get tested all the time. I raise money all the time. I talk about it all the time.
HIV changed everything.
This is a conversation I had on FaceBook Chat this morning with a friend. If you can relate to this situation please go get tested. The link in here is for the Maricopa County Health Clinic in Phoenix, AZ
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your stories.
[Him] nathan
important question
[You]
8:11am
yes sir
[Him]
8:11am
ive never had an HIV test
Im really scared to go get one
[You]
8:12am
why are you scared
[Him]
8:12am
Because Ive been stupid and had unprotected sex
[You]
8:14am
okay have you been sick?
[Him]
8:15am
kinda
alot actually
i never get 100 percent better
im always ache
[You]
8:15am
what kind of sick tho?
[Him]
8:16am
like my stomach hurts and i dont wanna eat and im really really tired all the time
[You]
8:17am
that be caused by a million things tho. Bad diet not enough sleep stress
the list goes on and on
[Him]
8:17am
I know
Im prolly just being a hypochondriac
[You]
8:17am
you probably are but you need to go get tested you can put your mind at ease
[Him]
8:18am
Where do i go and would you know how much the test is?
[You]
8:19am
I believe at the County Clinic it $20 and they test for everything and it is completely anonymous
[Him]
8:19am
Ok thank you
[You]
8:19am
http://www.maricopa.gov/Public_Health/ControlPrevention/STDs/default.aspx
[Him]
8:20am
Thank you nathan, i really appreciate it
[You]
8:21am
of course
I'd go with you to get tested but I am not in Phx..
[Him]
8:22am
:):), Im just really nervous that its gonna say yes. my mom would be so disappointed in me
[You]
8:22am
no she wouldn't.
[Him]
8:22am
I lied to her and said Ive gotten them before
[You]
8:23am
so.. go get tested and make it right.
[Him]
8:24am
I will today after the dentist... Thank you again
[You]
8:25am
when you go ask them for a rapid test so you can get an answer in 20 min. They probably will still do a traditional test but at least you will have an answer before you leave
[Him]
8:25am
Ok...
[You]
8:25am
may I share our conversation on my blog without your name?
[Him]
8:26am
Yeah
[You]
8:26am
I feel there are more people out there like you and your story will help them
call me after your test and let me know how they go
[Him]
8:27am
will do, thank you again... i wouldnt of known what to do
[You]
8:28am
you are a very smart guy and you would have figured out but I am glad I could help
I received this story today via FaceBook. Thank you for you sharing.
ReplyDeleteI recently found out that I was HIV positive. I've traced it back to right before I started dating. When we both got tested (during the first 6 months of infection) I was negative. We recently decided to get tested just for the heck of it and I tested positive. My partner knows and is negative. We've made sure that he will stay that way. He is very supportive and I couldn't be luckier to have him in my life. I'm currently on a medication regimen and I'm very healthy. I wish I was brave enough to tell my friends and family, but I can't seem to find the right way to do it. I know that there have been drastic improvements in HIV medications and health care and I will be around for many years to come, but I still feel like my family has preconceived notions about it. In time I will find a way to tell them, but for now I can only sit on this secret. Again, I just wanted to say that I look up to you and admire your courage.