First-Person Stories From HIV-Positive People: March 2011

James: Hitting Rock Bottom Before Recovery

When James was diagnosed with HIV, he turned to alcohol and drugs as a way to cope. For him, rock bottom was an addiction to crack he had to overcome before getting his life back on track.

Since its founding in 2000, The Positive Project has collected more than 100 first-person stories told by people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. These stories are used to reduce stigma, raise awareness, promote prevention, encourage testing and enhance care.

To learn more about The Positive Project, click here or visit the official Web site to watch more videos. You can also listen to or read our interview with Dr. Tony Miles, co-founder of The Positive Project.

James: Hitting Rock Bottom Before Recovery

When James was diagnosed with HIV, he turned to alcohol and drugs as a way to cope. For him, rock bottom was an addiction to crack he had to overcome before getting his life back on track.

Laurie: Overcoming Stigma and Fear

Diagnosed in the early days of the epidemic, Laurie lost her job when she shared her status with coworkers and filed one of the first HIV discrimination cases. She opens up about her experiences with stigma, sex and romance since her diagnosis.

Thomascene: Sharing Her Story With Family

Thomascene didn't know much about HIV when she got her diagnosis. She shares the story of how she disclosed to her family and the ways HIV has changed her life.

First-Person Stories From HIV-Positive People: April 2011

First-Person Stories From HIV-Positive People: February 2011

This article was provided by The Positive Project.

Reader Comments:

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Comment by: Matt (Pittsburgh, PA) Sun., Apr. 10, 2011 at 2:31 am EDT
Thank you all for your courage and bravery in coming forward with your stories. It really does help the many people out there who have been recently diagnosed, living with HIV for a while, or living with HIV for a long time.

We all progress through the struggle at different rates and all cope in different ways. At every point though we all need hope and that is what you all are helping to provide.

Thank so very much.

Matt

"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness..."

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