HIV Member Spotlight: On the Bright Side | myHIVteam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
Resources
About myHIVteam
Powered By

HIV Member Spotlight: On the Bright Side

Posted on February 23, 2021

Greetings teammates, I’m Mike!

I’m living, in fact thriving, with HIV here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. HIV is not my focus, LIVING is! My HIV medications help me to live the life I so much enjoy.

I am a long-term survivor diagnosed in 1985, back when doctors told people with HIV, “Put your life in order. You’ll be dead in two years.” More than 35 years later, I’m still here. I’ve been very fortunate to be on the leading edge of advancing new medications. At one time in 1996, I was waiting in line for the pharmacy to open so that I could get 3TC the day it was approved by the FDA. I remember that very well.

I have a spiritual background that I believe has helped to give me strength and get me through the hard times. I must focus on positive outcomes in my life. For the past couple of years, I have sent out positive messages to my friends and family every day — some 100 messages or more daily.

How can we spread the news of positive living? I have no idea how many others may be spreading the news, but I’d like to be an optimist and think we can encourage everyone to live their lives to the fullest!

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been through hard times too. My first partner died from AIDS in 1989. I was alone with HIV at the age of 32. Life isn’t all candy and roses; a lot of thorns have pricked me too. But I choose to look on the bright side of life. It is a choice.

No one I know chose to have HIV. No one wants to be denied love, affection, or understanding. We stand up for what we believe, and we now embrace living life to the best of our ability. Once we conquer stigma, none of us will have to live with this alone.

Sometimes, like sexuality, HIV is a piece of our existence that we have to put in our back pocket for fear that someone finds out. We need to feel whole. I’ve heard it said when one is with others like them, they can finally be themselves. No judgment. No shame. No controversy. No reluctance. Happy to be whole. That is a life we all deserve.

My words of wisdom to you: Go live your life! Be positive! Be loving and free to be the best you that you can be!

This article was written by Michael A. Hellman, a myHIVteam member, as part of the Member Spotlight Series.

Do you want to be a part of the myHIVteam Member Spotlight Series?
Let us know here: support@myHIVteam.com

Posted on February 23, 2021
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Become a Subscriber

Get the latest articles about HIV sent to your inbox.

Related articles

I was diagnosed with HIV in 2007, but I contracted the virus in 2003 from a former partner. Befor...

An HIV Diagnosis — and Journey to Acceptance

I was diagnosed with HIV in 2007, but I contracted the virus in 2003 from a former partner. Befor...
When I think about what HIV means to me, I think “HIV means a new way of life.” Every day I must ...

Member Spotlight: HIV Is a New Way of Life

When I think about what HIV means to me, I think “HIV means a new way of life.” Every day I must ...
What do I know now that I wish I would have known when I was diagnosed?That you can have a life l...

Member Spotlight: There Is Life With HIV, and I Am Proof

What do I know now that I wish I would have known when I was diagnosed?That you can have a life l...
What does HIV mean to me? I don't know where to start. This is my first time in 32 years to share...

Member Spotlight: What HIV Means To Me

What does HIV mean to me? I don't know where to start. This is my first time in 32 years to share...
Being raised Catholic and educated in all-boys religious schools, I was conflicted between who I ...

How an AIDS-related Form of Cancer Changed My World Forever

Being raised Catholic and educated in all-boys religious schools, I was conflicted between who I ...

Recent articles

Take a look in your fridge, and you may find a bottle of orange juice or soy milk with a label th...

Vitamin D and HIV: What’s the Connection?

Take a look in your fridge, and you may find a bottle of orange juice or soy milk with a label th...
Living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sometimes means working hard to differentiate symp...

Can HIV Infection Cause Cough?

Living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sometimes means working hard to differentiate symp...
No one enjoys a headache. Unfortunately, 52 percent of people worldwide experience headaches, and...

Headaches and HIV: 7 Causes To Consider

No one enjoys a headache. Unfortunately, 52 percent of people worldwide experience headaches, and...
If you’re starting treatment for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), you should know about th...

IRIS in HIV: 7 Facts To Know

If you’re starting treatment for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), you should know about th...
Of the 1.2 million people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States, 13...

Sore Throat and HIV: Is It an Early Symptom?

Of the 1.2 million people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States, 13...
Your nails may not seem like they’d be very important from a medical viewpoint, but they’re actua...

4 Ways HIV May Affect Your Nails

Your nails may not seem like they’d be very important from a medical viewpoint, but they’re actua...
myHIVteam My HIV Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close