Well it's no secret HIV has a bad rep. The real question is should it? I think its fair to say a lot people think yes it's a sexually transmitted disease and can kill you if not treated. Well let's now take a step back and talk about HIV. When you tell someone your HIV+ most if not all think "Oh my gosh, how did you get it?" Because of that very question I had a very hard time ever telling anyone that I was HIV+. I didn't get it from sex, drugs or a blood transfusion but was just simply born on this earth. I am 34 years old now living with HIV, and thus have been labeled as a "making bad choices" kind of guy.
There are millions of people on this earth here today that have HIV and some were just born with it; others got it through blood transfusions, sex or dirty needles. The big picture is it should not matter how you got HIV. Do you really thinking you're helping by reminding people of a mistake they made. By thinking, "Oh good now that I know how you got it let me help you share your grief." It should be as simple as "Let's get you the care and support that you need so you can live a healthy life."
We will in a world where we need to be in each others personal lives. Ever heard of someone getting a divorce? Our first question is always "Why? What happened?" Instead, maybe we should be thinking, "How can I help you threw this difficult time?"
I used to feel this way while growing up. The shame and guilt that damn HIV has caused me, that I am not like them. I felt like I if I had to tell people I was HIV+ I would also mention that I born with it. Hence I don't want people to judge me. Let me be the first one to say I was wrong and I was adding to the stigma of HIV. I had no idea that later in life I would soon be fighting the stigma I was causing. I was young and didn't see the big picture of HIV. I think so many people miss the big picture. Get tested, know your status and fight alongside others who are HIV+ and let them know, "Hey I am on your side and wont judge you." Only together as one can we end HIV instead of putting more shame and guilt that people that are HIV+ already have.
HIV is now very treatable. I have been on the same medication for almost 12 years and lived with HIV 34 years. I also have a wonderful wife and three wonderful children all HIV-. It's also important for the world to know that once HIV is treated , you can have a family, live very normal happy life. Its really what life is all about living it to the fullest.
