"HIV changed me. It taught me to genuinely care for other people.

"Once I became comfortable being HIV positive I was comfortable with myself, period. I found myself making more friends, talking to more people. I really began to have a social life. Through HIV, I found socialization, something that I always lacked."

-- D'Jaun Black, diagnosed in 2004

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"For some people I've talked to, HIV changes their lifestyle -- now they feel healthier and are not abusing themselves anymore. That's what happened to me."

-- Precious Jackson, diagnosed in 1998

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"HIV gave me lemons, so I made lemonade. And it's damn good lemonade!"

-- Michelle Lopez, diagnosed in 1991

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"HIV has changed my life totally. Keep your head up! HIV is not a punishment. ... Don't let it monopolize your life! It's very important that you learn to love yourself."

-- Regina Brandon, diagnosed in 1990

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"HIV reminds me to make every day count."

-- Bishop Kwabena Rainey Cheeks, diagnosed in 1984

To read more about Bishop Rainey Cheeks, click here.

"The best response when I told someone I was HIV positive was from my daughter, who looked up at me with those little brown eyes she has and said, 'Well Daddy, no matter what happens to you, I will always love you.' After that, it's like, you know, who cares? Everybody else can take a number, because I'm all right now."

-- David Garner, diagnosed in 1993

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"All the friends that I told, they all got emotional and started crying. But all of them, they said, 'No matter what, Raven, we will still love you and you will always be our friend.'"

-- Raven Lopez, diagnosed in 1991 at 18 months old

To read more about Raven, click here.