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armypoz
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Newbie
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Reged: 07/14/00
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Posts: 1
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Loc: Atlanta
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Contacting other HIV+ active duty soldiers
#7205 - 07/14/00 02:47 PM
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I am HIV+ and currently serving on active duty. Would like to contact other active duty soldiers of any branch that would be interested in starting support groups or other avenues of support to other active duty soldiers in their areas.
would like to start a website that would provide information concerning places to go to receive help for issues that might arise while on active duty, problems encountered at military installations, solutions to those problems, and other points of interest to those of us that are still serving in the military. We don't have to stand alone.
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Hello Armypoz,
My husband is Army Active Duty and I am a negative dependent. It was good to hear another military active duty person who can understand. My Husband was diagnosed in Feb. of this year. I hope to hear from you. Our email is wjames@gotmail.com
the James's
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activedutypoz
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Those of us that are on active duty and have tested positive for HIV are in a unique situation unlike most people living with HIV. Our actions are regulated not only by our Commanders, that give us a direct order on our activities, but by Military Regulations. The right to privacy and confidentiality are not absolute rights in the Military. And in the military there is still alot of uneducated, and ignorant people. I remember an Army Physician asking me, "Are you HIV+, or do you have AIDS?", my reply was, "I'm HIV+", the physician asked me again, "Are you HIV+, or do you have AIDS?", I thought to myself that he surely is joking, he must have failed to hear my first response, so I replied again, "I'm HIV+", he looked at me bewildered and angry, and asked, "Do you understand the question?", I said, "Obviously you don't, therefore there is nothing you can do to help me", and I walked out of his office. I have been positive for 4 years, and all my experiences on active duty haven't been bad ones. I have been fortunate enough to work with Medical personnel, and now with Lawyers, so their understanding and acceptance of my situation has been wonderful. That is why I believe it to be very important to have a forum for active personnel--it is very helpful to know what to expect when you are being staged for the first time at one of the Military Infectious Disease Clinics, or who are you obligated to reveal your status too when you go on sick call, etc..,or how can the Community Health Nurse be helpful, and who can you go to for support when you can't tell your family or friends. There is no reason that we have to feel alone simply because we are still serving on active duty. armypoz@aol.com
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While on active duty, being HIV+ is a shameful, dirty secret, that we are made to reveal to our Commanders, Supervisors and other people that don't have a need to know about our status. Would like to see military people with HIV pull together and support each other, because no matter how you contracted HIV, in the military there is always that looming question, he is gay, and when you are HIV+, that doesn't even matter anymore. Thanks armypoz for reaching out to those of us on active duty.
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ArmyPoz, I think what you have in mind is a great idea. Currently i attend a support group at Bethesda Naval Medical Center and although it is a great support group, I feel somewhat constricted on what I can/cannot, should/shouldnot say. USN976@aol.com
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The website sounds like a great idea! Be sure it includes a cross-link to this website: http://www.sldn.org. This is a legal aid organization that primarily helps servicemembers harmed by Don't Ask, Don't Tell, but they give free legal advice that is potentially very helpful to HIV+ servicemembers, straight and gay.
Keep me posted on what you come up with, okay? I'm working on researching and writing a guide for veterans on this issue. You can e-mail me at ballardla@earthlink.net.
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AF here and HIV poz! I know there is a AF website for HIV folks, but don't know of other military sites. I know that AF is soon to blend with Army in Texas so that will be interesting to know. What about a buddy system? airmanpoz@aol.com
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AF Active duty here.
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