"The moment I received my official diagnosis, I dropped all my assumptions about HIV. It was so freeing." -Member of myHIVteam

Living with a chronic condition can be difficult and even a burden, but also an opportunity to rid yourself of what you think you know.

Have you heard the saying, "People don't get it until they get it"? That is so true about HIV.

"I'm still a person worthy of love and acceptance and HIV doesn't change that." -Member of myHIVteam

An HIV diagnosis forces us to drop our negative assumptions about life with a chronic condition. Members on myHIVteam gain perspective from other members' experiences to become better informed about what it's really like to live with HIV.

Here are recent conversations from members of myHIVteam:

• "I have to work hard at learning how to not try predicting the future and just enjoy today."
• "I found out I was HIV positive back on February 12 of this year. Was kind of a head-spinner for me, and learning how to cope. I feel great and I am extremely blessed to have an amazing family and amazing friends who support me."
• "I was overjoyed and grateful for identifying this disease to me in such an early stage and for keeping me mentally healthy during and after my initial diagnosis. I'm learning to accept the disease more and I have become an educator for those that are negative and advocate for the POZ community."

What negative assumptions have you let go of about HIV? Tell us about it in the comments below or directly on myHIVteam.com.