Comment by: thandos (south africa) Tue., Nov. 10, 2009 at 11:47 am EST
thank u all. i just found out yesterday. I'm 22yr pregnant haven't told any1. i stil feel like i'm dreaming. thank u 2 u all i feel like there's hope i can't stop crying. how do i get past this?

Comment by: Kelly (Florida) Sat., Nov. 7, 2009 at 2:07 pm EST
My Best friend just confided in me that she is HIV positive. My first reaction was "Oh my gosh my best friend is dying." Then after the intial shock, of "Okay, we need to arm ourselves with information, seek treatment, etc."... It started to sink in on what I am actually dealing with. I get sick to my stomach now when she pick up my kids and kisses them. I know i shouldn't feel this way. I feel wrong, and guilty about it. I'm just terrified something could happen to my children. I know HIV is passed through blood. If she uses my razors, should I throw them away? Will she be offended if i ask her questions like this? I don't want to treat her like a leper. Her mom is dying with cancer as we speak. I'm all that she has. If I pull back now, who knows if she'll go kill herself. I don't think she would, but.... how do I get over this sick fear of her being around my kids???

Comment by: CANDACE (west palm baech fl.) Thu., Oct. 15, 2009 at 9:24 am EDT
this is for the lady that is still afraid.........well you said you dont know how to tell the man that you are dating that you are hiv pos.well i think if you really love him, you should let him know don't keep hiding it from him that's not right in if he take it the wrong way in he say he don't wanna be with you no more then he doesn't really love you the way you love him. so think about it

Comment by: Mimi (South Africa) Tue., Oct. 13, 2009 at 5:00 pm EDT
I'm 23 & i'm also Hiv+, i've jst found out on April 2009. When i found out it wz lyk dream being a mother to four yr old, pregnant waz enough bt thiz waz more. i didn't expect to happen to me coz i wz married to a wonderful husband. I'll never forget dat day coz everything changed bt i tld my husby & he iz also positive so we do encourage each other that this was God's plan for us & lyf will go on until God puts a stop. Nw i'm nine mnths preg and i'm graduating nxt yr, knowing dat i'm positive will nt affect my future. My parents & sisters, they don't knw abt our status bt soon they will knw.

Comment by: Jasraj (India) Fri., Jun. 12, 2009 at 1:55 pm EDT
Hi i am jasraj and i am indian girl i am 22 years old. i came to know when i was admitted in the hospital i had fever continously for one month. doctors had done all the checkups. finally i came to know that i am hiv positive. i cried a lot along with my parents. i came to know last august when i was ill. i thought i lost my career bcoz i want to be an air hostess. my parents supported me and my best friend i would like to take her name her name is chand she encourage me a lot i got hiv from by boyfriend. he is no more. i would like to tel all my friends who ever reading my message please secure ur life when u are doing sex before marriage pls use condoms and always take precautions! thank you for giving time to read my message. god bless u all

Comment by: yvanna (elgin) Wed., Jun. 3, 2009 at 12:28 pm EDT
hi my nmae is yvanna. me and my friend want to go get tested but we are afraid. hopefully everything comes out negative and can follow ur advice...

Comment by: Dubbz. (uk. london) Thu., Feb. 19, 2009 at 2:18 pm EST
I believe God has a purpose for his people, what can separate us from the love of God. May God who healed on this earth, Matthew 4:23-26.is still working today in our lives, your testimonies are a true reflection of God's love and evidence that love is the strongest weapon.

Comment by: Lance Nielsen (LONDON) Thu., Feb. 19, 2009 at 8:16 am EST
Bravery as displayed here, puts the acts of cowardice that these people have experienced in perspective. So commendable. DEAH -- what a courageous person you are, if you want to put your acting to good use I know the people working on Jericho's Walls Are Falling would want to talk to you! Google them you're find them.

Comment by: Betty B. (Houston, TX) Thu., Feb. 19, 2009 at 12:21 am EST
Thanks Orie for sharing your story and giving hope to all who are newly infected. I plan to force my daughter to hear your story first thing tomorrow. My Daughter is 20 and refuses to get tested but her Girlfriend and I went and got tested 3 years ago. I was in and out within 5 min. with a negative results paper confirmation but her Girlfriend was back there for at least 45 min and came out with stacks of information and paperwork. They broke up right after she refused to share her results with my Daughter. I kept in touch with her Girlfriend over the years and her health has declined due to her diabetes. My Daughter is showing no symptoms right now but I hope she will one day have the will to take the test on her own.

Comment by: goodman (ireland) Tue., Feb. 17, 2009 at 11:28 pm EST
my respect goes to these nice folks who chose to speak out about their HIV status. i'm positive myself, my advice to all HIV positive people around the world is this: ''be courageous and never succumb to depression''. my message to world leaders is to put more funding into HIV research and never allow politics and self interest to block any flicker of hope for a cure. Anything that points to a cure must be explored no matter where it come from, even if it's from native africans. Finally i want to beg the British and Irish government to stop deporting HIV positive Africans, it's like sending somebody to death row.

Comment by: brandon (rye cove) Mon., Feb. 16, 2009 at 9:39 am EST
this was so sad

Comment by: fannie (pa) Sat., Feb. 14, 2009 at 6:37 pm EST
i have a mom with H.I.V she's been with hiv for like 12 years she does not talk about it so i here you guys talk about your story it is the greatest thing ever. people need to know that it is real the younger people think life is a game i dont have it im 31. but i prepare myself for the worse the day she is going to be gone. so god bless u all

Comment by: maria ueligitone (Long Beach, CA.) Tue., Feb. 10, 2009 at 4:30 pm EST
Deah, you are beautifully courageous and very confident in yourself. Many could gain inspiration from your story. I know that I have. I am HIV positive since 1992 and have 5 adult children who are very supportive. For those who reject us for our status, it is their loss due to ignorance. Also it is an opportunity to offer them the education to break the stigma. My hat is off to you and I hope you are picking out a college to attend in the future. The possibilities are there.

Comment by: Alex (Birmingham UK) Tue., Feb. 10, 2009 at 10:17 am EST
Deah, Thanks so much for telling your story. I work for an HIV charity in the UK and people here don't even think about children in developed countries living with HIV. Your boldness and courage is amazing.

Comment by: Sharon (Ireland) Sat., Feb. 7, 2009 at 8:47 pm EST
Sharon, I just want to let you know that i think you are amazing, you have really touched me. Thank you so much for sharing your story and I wish all the best. Deah, you're a fabulous girl, what a personality!!

Comment by: Mary (Indiana) Sat., Feb. 7, 2009 at 12:04 pm EST
To Still afraid: I'm so glad you found out while you were still pregnant! They can do so much to protect the baby by giving you meds now and doing a c-section at birth. You'll also be aware and won't breastfeed. I have an 11 month old with AIDS. She got it from my breastmilk. My husband was tested after she was born and was positive. I was negative at first. And then 3 months later I was positive. I stopped breastfeeding when we found out, but it was too late. She was in the hospital at 5 mos old with PCP. The happy news is that she is so healthy now and is on meds. You would never know she had a disease. Keep your head up! It will be ok no matter what the prognosis is. I hate to say it, and not like I would want to make the choice, but I would rather have something like HIV that is livable then something like heart disease or Cancer where I could easily die tomorrow. Best of luck!

Comment by: trenise (gulfport missippissi) Wed., Feb. 4, 2009 at 9:05 pm EST
love is the best thing in the world and love is god. keep your head up!

Comment by: still afraid (Houston Tx) Wed., Feb. 4, 2009 at 1:58 pm EST
I am a 30 year old female who found out my sex partner was hiv positive in 2005. i took a test and was neg. never looked back, stopped having unprotected sex and everything moved on with my life and no three years later found out i was pregnant from my new boyfriend and three months into the pregnancy found out i am hiv pos. what do i do? i have younger kids that are fine but how do i bring this child here knowing it could be sick and how do i marry this man or even tell him??? help a very scared woman

Comment by: dicks (MAUN,botswana) Tue., Jan. 20, 2009 at 9:26 am EST
i am a 27 yr old lady who got married 3 yrs ago.i tested positive 3 months ago after blood transfusion and now its not ezy 4 me to cope. ur stories makes me strong and do hope i will heal. i am 6 mths preg and just worried about my baby. this is kilin me,i am tryin everything possible to protect my husband. may god bless you nd just an advice to all of you, never mind how u wil die, care about your soul when u die. i know i can be a strong and focused person that i am willin to be. this hiv is in me and for now i am in control of it.its eating what i want to eat whether it likes or not.its time will come and beleive me it will be a headon collision.i just pray my baby will be neg.my cd4 count is 850 undetectable viral load nd not on med.luv u all

Comment by: Louise (Prince George, BC) Mon., Jan. 12, 2009 at 6:48 pm EST
Deah, You are awesome! Your eyes just sparkle when you speak. Never give up on your dreams, my girl! Maybe you'll be an amazing actress someday :)

Comment by: Leanna (Hayward, CA) Fri., Jan. 9, 2009 at 9:26 pm EST
Thank you all for being so strong and brave and not afraid to talk about being positive and most of all for helping others. I am amazed by all of you for your care of others in spite of being positive. You are doing what you are called to do while here on this earth.

Comment by: Sushil (San Jose) Fri., Jan. 9, 2009 at 1:58 am EST
May GOD Bless u

Comment by: Nairobia Ferguson (Baltimore, MD) Thu., Jan. 8, 2009 at 7:04 pm EST
Hi Deah, my name is Ms.Nairobia and I have AIDS. I just wanted you to know that you have a wonderful spirit. You just keep on speaking your mind and never alllow people to break you down.

Comment by: Masaba Peter (Kampala -Uganda) Tue., Dec. 30, 2008 at 10:54 am EST
Am moved by your testimonies, especially from the young Deah as a Clinician working with children like you here in Uganda. Disclosure of sero status is key to your Good Health besides treatment and would encourage many more sero positive persons to disclose and access care and support Wish you all Gods' blessings in 2009. LONG LIVE THE POSITIVE PROJECT

Comment by: AJ (Staten Island,NY) Tue., Dec. 23, 2008 at 1:10 pm EST
I think that Sharon is a very brave individual for sharing her story with the world, the stories may be different,but the emotions are all the same and it also make us realize that we have more in common with each other.

Comment by: tamrat ((Ethiopia,Addis)) Tue., Dec. 23, 2008 at 10:11 am EST
I appreciate u . i am proud of this kid. HERO means not only in warfront but also liquefy as oil lamp or candle for survival of others. as alex said HIV doesn't have to control us, we can control it. God bless to little Deah and all of us.

Comment by: joyce-mac@mailstation.com (brooklyn, New York) Tue., Dec. 16, 2008 at 11:43 pm EST
Deah, May the Lord bless you and keep you. You are a courageous and wise young girl. Hold on to your dreams. I contracted HIV in 1985. AIDS & Hep C in 1997. Jesus is the answer to all our problems. He came to heal all manner of sickness and disease. I will also keep you and your parents in prayer. www.jm-ministries.com

Comment by: Alejandra (Mexico) Sun., Dec. 14, 2008 at 7:11 pm EST
Creo que las personas que viven con VIH, tienen que mantener una positividad constante ante la vida, creo que de ustedes depende como se les vea en la sociedad, son personan valiosas, que pueden vivir muchos muchos a?os, con una calidad de vida muy buena, pero que eso depende, sobre todo de la actidud que tengan en la vida, y obviamente de los retrovirales, pero algo muy importante es la mentalidiad, la actidud ante la vida, creer en Dios, trabajar, y orar para que pronto se tenga la cura. La fe mueve monta?as.. Un abrazo a todas estas personas que son valientes y luchan cada dia por vivir dignamente... Dios los bendiga...

Comment by: Samantha (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Sat., Dec. 13, 2008 at 8:26 pm EST
Deah...WOW...good for you...just listening to your courageous voive reminds me that there is hope for all adolescents who are living and surviving with HIV. I am an HIV + woman and mother of an HIV positive 12 year old boy. I have always believed that it is through our "voice" that people can "hear" and I am sure when people listen to your reality...they will listen. I am currently involved in the research arena as the Vice Chair of the IMPAACT group and would love to invite you to participate in a Global Adolescent Working group teleconference with call that happens every other month with Youth from all over the world. It is a confidential call which provides information to the Youth of this world and gives an opportunity for adolescents to "voice" their thoughts on all sorts of issues. If you like you or your parents can contact me @ tkuryla@browardhealth.org and I can give you all the details. YOU ARE AMAZING...Keep up the good path that you are on...it is necessary! Samantha - Positive mommy

Comment by: Alex (Scotland) Fri., Dec. 12, 2008 at 1:28 pm EST
Deah, Orie and Sharon, thank you for being so courageous and sharing with us all your personal stories. Please know that all your words and insights are important- you are helping to highlight the very real human issue that HIV is. It takes strength to share our stories and I know that in you sharing yours you will have brought hope, spirit and a sense of community and of understanding to many people watching your blogs who so desperately need to know that they are not alone in this. Thank you so much for having the courage to stand up and speak out. You all deserve to be heard, and I hope that your words will help give others the strength they need inside themselves to stand forward and be counted too. Everyone of us deserves that right.

Comment by: Alex (Phila, PA) Fri., Dec. 12, 2008 at 3:21 am EST
THESE STORIES BRING SO MUCH HOPE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH THIS HORRIBLE VIRUS. WE ALL NEED TO REMEMBER THAT HIV DOESN'T HAVE TO CONTROL US. WE CAN CONTROL IT.

Comment by: Lisa Mysnyk (Atlanta, GA) Thu., Dec. 11, 2008 at 7:15 pm EST
Hi Deah, you are a very courageous girl. Keep your head up and keep shinning bright. My 12 year old son Chris said too, "Have faith in yourself and trust God". He will get you through this educational journey. I am a 40 year old black female, HIV+ since 2003. What keeps me going is telling my testimony and doing motivational speaking. There is no shame in my game. I am very proud of who I am. I love you for your boldness. Stay strong! You are one of God's Angels. Thanks for sharing your story.

Comment by: Jerry (Ontario, CA) Thu., Dec. 11, 2008 at 12:57 pm EST
Sharon, your story moves me. I was diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. You are an inspiration to everyone. Don't give up! Lately, I myself have been giving up. I'm out of work & have been having medical issues again. I'm resistant to pretty much all of the meds now. Only my saviour knows what my future holds. I just wanted ALL of you to know you touched heart in a time when I needed it most. BIG HUGS to all!!!

Comment by: neo ratsonya (gaborone, botswana) Thu., Dec. 11, 2008 at 4:01 am EST
THANK YOU FOR THE HOPE YOU HAVE GIVEN ME AND BELIEVE THAT AM GOING TO LIVE MORE THAN 24 YEARS AND AM GOING TO SEE MY CHILDREN GROW AND SEE MY GRANDCHILDREN . GOD BLESS U FOR HE KNOWS OUR FUTURE NOBODY ONLY THE LIVING GOD

Comment by: Kirk (Dallas/Fort Worth) Wed., Dec. 10, 2008 at 11:58 pm EST
The people featured are courageous people that have a message for the world. I appreciate all of them and thank "Positive Project" for sharing their stories. These stories bring seeds of healing on many levels. Little Deah is so precious! Many thanks! kirk

Add Your Comment:

(Please note: Your name and comment will be public, and may even show up in
Google search results. Be careful when providing personal information!)

Your Name:


Your Location:

(ex: San Francisco, CA)

Your Comment:

Characters remaining: