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A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Geneva, IL

When when it comes to the stigma of HIV, do you credit or discredit yourself most of the time?

January 3, 2023
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Answer Summary

Members reflected deeply on whether they give themselves enough credit while living with HIV, with many describing journeys from stigma and... Read more

Members reflected deeply on whether they give themselves enough credit while living with HIV, with many describing journeys from stigma and fear toward self-acceptance, pride, and resilience. Several members shared how they learned to love themselves and their diagnosis over time, crediting long-term medication adherence, support from organizations and specialists, faith, and the choice to educate others as key factors in their survival and thriving over 20 to 30 years. A recurring theme was the tension between self-advocacy and cultural or familial pressures toward modesty, secrecy, and self-doubt, with many members affirming that they deserve credit for managing a chronic illness, surviving judgment, and choosing to live openly and unapologetically.

A myHIVteam Member

I credit myself because I teach people concerning stigma and its negative effective as well as what it says concerning the individual projecting it. Also I take every opportunity to speak on HIV in an effort to normalize it as well as familiarize folk with the fact that many with HIV are themselves victims and are not dangerous or negative.

January 18, 2023
A myHIVteam Member

No I don't give myself enough credit I should pay myself on the back.my family and friends know, strangers don't need to know because they are too judgemental and it's none of there business.

January 3, 2023
A myHIVteam Member

Im proud of myself and most of the time i like the look on people's when i tell them that im positive. I dont get worried about my medicine, and i nolonger care about what people say or know about me.

January 3, 2023
A myHIVteam Member

I fear running out of meds. I fear anything that can stop the supply, (war, laws, ect..) I do everything I can to be healthy. Coming to terms with my hiv has been very hard. Though I feel ive come a long way from that Halloween in 2020.

I guess my answer is "no." I dont give myself the credit i or others think i deserve.

January 3, 2023
A myHIVteam Member

I credit myself. I don't get too much stigma. I keep my diagnosis to close friend's and family. Other people don't need to know. The downside is that certain one's thinks HIV is still a death sentence.

January 3, 2023

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