I have lived with HIV for 13 years and have lost family members to the stigma and silent judgement that this disease brings. I have had to say goodbye to my family because they cannot accept that this disease has more than a maintenance pill. I'm talking about the silent stigma that people do when they find out your have HIV and then the slow dismissal of your friendship, work rejection and services washout. Yes there are services to deal with this but when you tap into these services you… read more
25 years here...I’ve been thru every emotion possible. Everyone told me I was going to die. I’m still here. Please let me know if you’d like to talk because I can totally relate.
When coming out with your status ..expect different reactions! Try not ro judge the nonverbal that your receiving. Fear and LOVe cause different people to react different ways. When coming out to those that you know love you..remebter this! You have just told them that you have a terminal illness. An illness
that very well could lead to your death…pkease give then time to process y..as for as your empkoyer if thats the negative reapinse yiu got fuck em..and move on! If you can work work..for me its a great diversion but if you can not work file for. SSi or even SSDI if you think you can work part time! What is it dlike for friends and family…well i can tell you those that love you are simply experiencing fears of lose of you..loosing you is going to hurt but take the time when comjng out to explain that both yiur Physical And Menta health is going to be affected but stress the fact that yiur living and that your trying to be a survivor and in so doing that you gotta do and tell them what it is your wanting to do to luve to be a survivor as you have done! Your a survivor.! Much Love💕🌈 Terry
Personally I don’t necessarily take about my HIV status but show it in my daily living. I live in a way everyday I show them that this is what HIV is all about and how I live with it. I do tell them my life is not necessarily a model for all people to govern themselves by but it works for me. I show people what living with HIV is by going to my doctor appointments, take my medication as prescribed, and by living a “clean” life is.
@A myHIVteam Member, I went through the acceptance of what is, the grieving phase and the compassion for myself and then get involved with people at first who don't know my status. I use to have that need for everyone to know but now, not as much. I don't pretend to know my future and what I will die from but I will succumb to something. I tell people who I trust, people who trust me. Van, your feelings are valid. If people judge me on my hiv status and not on my integrity, they are losing. Everyone has their own way of handling it. Emotionally, I reach out and talk about it with people who understand me. The truth is some people simply didn't get the "empathy card". My hope for them is that they learn from their lack of empathy on their way out of this world, because they will need it. Van, you are loved and you are valued here. ❤️
Love,
Cynthia
Im not going to be able to risk the reactions I take comfort in know knowing only the doctor the nurse and a counselor at the clinic know and I plan to keep it that way now that I'm on the other side I see with hiv we can live regular lives and doctors appointments are regular and medicine is regular as well its just stigma with hiv that I feel is the worst so I have been in the process of releasing all my secrets because this will be my only secret only way to keep a normal life keep it private