Advice on Aging Well With HIV

Millicent Foster, 51, Baton Rouge, La.; Diagnosed in 2002

As time goes by, I find that I am more active today than I was 20 years ago. I have changed my diet to include more fruits and vegetables; I don't eat any type of pork and eat very little seafood. I walk on a daily basis and I just joined a gym to start working out and exercising.

When I was diagnosed, the doctors gave me 6 months to live. Well here I am 10 years later, in better health than I was back then. I have a strong belief in God and he has brought me this far to tell my story to help others. To all of you who are 50 and aging, I say change your diet, start exercising more, get plenty of rest and live your life to the fullest, because HIV is no longer a death sentence. Trust in God to make you a better person and seek him for all your needs. I may have HIV, but HIV doesn't have me. It is only a small part of my life and I refuse to give up or give in to it.