Dec 1

Dec 1 World AIDS Day 2017

Today, December 1st, is World AIDS Day! The theme for World AIDS Day (on behalf of HIV.GOV is, "Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships."

Days like World AIDS Day are personally important to me as an HIV Positive gay black man. It serves as a helpful reminder of the progress that is being made with HIV/AIDS research, the importance of taking care of myself, the value of helping to educate others to know their status, reflection upon those that have lost their lives, and so much more. There are so many people across the world (and locally) that do not have access to lifesaving treatment, proper resources, have inadequate living situations, and may feel as if they are alone in their battle. We can continue to help ignite change, raise awareness, be/provide resources for, and give voices to those people.

We all have a story.

For me, realizing that there were others that understood what I was dealing with was a huge comfort. I appreciated the opportunity to read about and talk to other HIV positive individuals that were living healthy, meaningful lives. I wasn't alone, and neither are you.

If we're being honest, I had NO IDEA what to do when I first discovered my status.

I had soooooo many questions...who...what...when...where...why....HOW? Like, I just didn't know where to start. Where do I go for treatment? What do I do now? How will I pay for medication and the doctor? Why me? Will I feel sick all the time? How will I tell my family and friends? What will they think? Will anyone want to date me ever again? Can I handle this?? All of these questions, and so many more, were constantly swirling around in my head. Although I didn't know where to start, I knew that I had to start... Research, omg, I did so much research. I wanted to know EVERYTHING that I possibly could about this virus and how it would affect my life (sidenote: I realized that prior to discovering my status, I was so uneducated about HIV/AIDS). I wanted to become familiar and understand the different terms, the levels, what they meant, how they worked, how the medication would work, the side effects of medication, and everything in between; my checklist of questions were on hand at my first few doctors visits. After tons of research, confiding in a couple of trusted people close to me, a few (a lot) tears shed, and a visit with a great doctor that reassured me that I could manage this, the day finally came for me to start treatment. It was a day that I will never forget. In that moment it all became real...one small pill...with a meal...at the same time...everyday.... My new normal...

So, that was one year ago, but what about the 365 days in between? Everyday is different, but what remains the same is my resolve. I constantly tell myself that "I have HIV, it does not have me." Even with this strong resolve, there are days that are more tough, more sad, more lonely, more confused, more draining, [the list goes on] more than others. Every time I get a cough or a runny nose or a body ache, there's an uncomfortable level of anxiety that takes over. The important thing (for me) is to realize that those moments and days are normal and expected, but to not allow them to get the best of me.

My desire to live a better life is the strongest that it has ever been. The desire to be more mentally/physically/emotionally healthy, to be more active, to eat better, to keep the virus suppressed, and to inspire and educate others is what fuels me.

I want to personally say THANK YOU to my support system of family, friends, and medical team at Aids Healthcare Foundation Houston (AHF).

-DOM

Fast Facts from HIV.GOV

More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV today, and 1 in 7 of them don’t know it.
An estimated 37,600 Americans became newly infected with HIV in 2014.
From 2008 to 2014, the estimated number of annual HIV infections in the U.S. declined 18%.
Gay and bisexual men, particularly young African American gay and bisexual men, are most affected.
Southern states bear the greatest burden of HIV, accounting for 50% of new infections in 2014.
In the jurisdictions where they could be estimated, annual infections in all states decreased or remained stable from 2008-2014.

You are not alone...If you are in search of resources, please visit the following for assistance. For locations on where to get tested, please click here! For resources from HIV.GOV please click here. For resources from AHF please click here.