Coping With HIV/AIDS: Personal Viewpoints

The Last Goodbye: A Blog Entry by Frankie Ninja (February 1, 2012)
"It was humbling. Intimate. It was an awe-some experience. It was a privilege to be in [Mike's] presence. That of a living hero. It is because of warriors like him, that I expect to live a relatively full and normal life. It is because of people like him, that I submit my own body to further study so that those that come after me, do not have to tell the same story."
From The Body
Greg Halpen: Self-Mastery Coach and Healer -- A Blog Entry by Robert Breining (January 26, 2012)
"You see, the virus didn't make him sick or devour his immune system. It was his emotional reaction that devoured his soul for the next 12 years. Allowing the idea of being HIV positive to consume his life, his dreams ... he didn't realize it, but he lived everyday as though he was going to die. Then he awakened."
From The Body
Appreciating the Right Now Moments! Part Two: A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton (December 20, 2011)
"I'm equally as glad that I didn't allow my today -- this day -- affect my yesterday. The fact that I'm on my way to the hospital this morning to get a minor medical procedure would have stopped some people from going to the event missing the blessing of the right now."
From The Body
Maryland Renaissance Festival, Prince for A Day? A Video Blog Entry by Justin B. Terry-Smith (December 20, 2011)
"YES you can still be that little Prince or Princess that you wanted to be when you were younger. You can still be whatever you want to be when you were younger. Don't let HIV steal your dreams or your life. Strive to be the best you can be in whatever you do."
From The Body
Appreciating the Right Now Moments! A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton (December 19, 2011)
"I've decided to not allow 'it' to consume all of my emotions one way or the other all of the time. It is what it is and I cannot change a thing. I've been down this road many times and I cannot allow how I feel today to affect my tomorrow. Today I'm neutral. I will accept it for what it is and face tomorrow when it comes."
From The Body
Just Fine: A Blog Entry by Philip D. (December 9, 2011)
From The Body
Till the Fat Lady Sings: A Blog Entry by Richard Cordova (December 1, 2011)
From The Body
A Year-Round Affair: A Blog Entry by Richard Cordova (November 23, 2011)
"I can't remember the exact year, although it was probably 1997 or so, which would have made me 19. I was renting a small furnished bedroom in a stranger's house (he took in boarders) and at the time, didn't have too many friends to call my own. At the time, I wasn't in touch with my family and was spending the holidays alone."
From The Body
Video: This Is My Story, What's Yours? A Blog Entry by Kevin Maloney (November 1, 2011)
"I want to hear your story. Send me a video reply and I'll post it on my YouTube channel."
From The Body
Daniel Bauer: Living Pozitively -- A Blog Entry by Robert Breining (October 28, 2011)
Daniel Bauer is the official successor to the legendary Harry Houdini, and was on the climb to becoming one of the world's most successful magicians and escape artists since the Houdini era. ... In 2002 ... Daniel learned he was HIV positive."
From The Body
Ken Howard: Self-Empowerment -- Have the Life You Want: A Blog Entry by Robert Breining (October 27, 2011)
"Ken Howard, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., is the author of the self-help book, Self-Empowerment: Have the Life You Want!: How to close the gap between how life is, and how you would like it to be, in important areas of life such as mental health, health, career, finances, family, community and spirituality, based on his 18 years a licensed psychotherapist and life/business coach."
From The Body
Status Undetectable? Not Really! A Blog Entry by Ibrahim (October 27, 2011)
"I know that reversing how detectable my status is can only start within me. I guess my fear of this status is the fear of being rejected and deprived from love that status determines."
From The Body
Keep on Pushin': A Blog Entry by Richard Cordova III (October 25, 2011)
"The fact of the matter is that while I am grateful for the things in my life, I am currently in a position where I am not getting something that I want. This thing that I want, also happens to be something that I think I deserve. Has that happened to you?"
From The Body
A Present to Myself, on My 50th Birthday: A Blog Entry by Rusti Miller-Hill (October 25, 2011)
"I learned it's not about the destination, but the journey that counts the most. My journey has been a crooked and ever-winding path; I would not change my course for anything, including my living with AIDS."
From The Body
Life's Derailment Is Not Life's Denial: A Blog Entry by Thomas DeLorenzo (October 20, 2011)
"On August 11, my journey to take on the insurance companies and help bring about our long overdue health care reform began. Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, California, would become my launching pad. Like the rest of my life, it is filled with unexpected directions."
From The Body
A Teacher Reflects on His HIV-Positive Status: A Blog Entry by Kevin Maloney (October 6, 2011)
"'I write this piece knowing that I am joined by many colleagues who are currently teaching around the US, and the world, as an HIV poz individual each with their own story and perspective as to how this disease has changed them personally and professionally.' -- Michael Sebastian."
From The Body
Is There Any Sensitivity and Compassion for Me? A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton (September 13, 2011)
"People say nasty, mean things to you in Social Media that they would never say to you in your face."
From The Body
Waking to Sadness ... A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton (July 21, 2011)
I must continue to get a handle on the emotional pain or it will kill my spirit and a dead spirit is a dead life. It would be a shame to stay alive physically living with AIDS ... defeating the odds to die spiritually. So today I fight for my spirit with what I have, praise, a shower and Captain Crunch."
From The Body
Meditations on Love and Death (or "Day Spa"): A Blog Entry by Shana Cozad (July 19, 2011)
"About the opportunities this disease presents, love and death are the big ones. Loving, with this disease, becomes so incredibly profound. My parents did not know how to love me after they found out I had AIDS."
From The Body
HIV: Just Another Chronic Disease? A Blog Entry by Sarah Sacco (July 12, 2011)
"Like HIV, diabetes left untreated is fatal. Really, we can all relate to one another. Our stories share a common thread -- we speak the same 'language' of the sick. In these ways I think that HIV is just like any other disease. And yet ..."
From The Body
Take Life Seriously, but Do Not Forget to Have Fun! A Blog Entry by Teniecka Drake (July 9, 2011)
"Do you ever wonder why people take life so seriously and never smile or laugh or even joke? ... Life for me, when I was given my diagnosis, was not fun or happy, and forget cracking a smile. ... After having a family of my own and going through some things, I can say life is meant to be enjoyed!!!"
From The Body
Living Longer by Living With Purpose: A Blog Entry by David Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W. (July 6, 2011)
"Not all of us, of course, have the opportunity to drop out of our lives and begin anew, but we all certainly have the chance to discover what gives our life meaning and follow it to our best ability. The daily satisfaction is enormous, and so are the health benefits."
From The Body
It Is What It Is: A Blog Entry by Jeannie Wraight (May 24, 2011)
"I'm finally HAPPY. My life is far from perfect but it is good and getting better and better. How could this be happening now?"
From The Body
The Responsible Thing to Do: A Blog Entry by Khafre Abif (May 13, 2011)
"I sat. Two white men shared that I was HIV positive. At that time, there was no pre-test counseling and risk assessment. These counselors may not have ever had to give a positive diagnosis."
From The Body
I Don't Have Time to Be Sick: A Blog Entry by Brooke Davidoff (May 12, 2011)
"I'm supposed to go every 3 months to a doctor for labs. My last doctor appointment was all the way back in October, and it's currently May. ... Full-time work, part-time mom and wife = NO free time."
From The Body
Dead Man Walking: A Blog Entry by Sarah and Carmen Anthony Sacco (March 12, 2011)
"In our last post we talked about being diagnosed with HIV (AIDS in Carmen Anthony's case.) Here’s the lyrics to the song 'Dead Man Walking' that reflects this time in our lives."
From The Body
Took My Chance: A Blog Entry by ScotCharles (March 10, 2011)
"I have become comfortable with the future while living in the moment. I plant bulbs in winter to bloom in the spring. I plan trips I may not be able to take while I enjoy my cat that is prowling round my keyboard as I write."
From The Body
Conversations With My Virus: A Blog Entry by Shana Cozad (March 3, 2011)
"The interesting thing about conversations with my virus is that I never got hateful or evil conniving messages back. It just simply was a virus, and I had a beautiful young immune system with a not-so-strong genetic factor that allowed my virus to run rampant."
From The Body
Dear Ibrahim ... I Will Kill Myself.: A Blog Entry by Ibrahim (February 24, 2011)
"Why do HIV-positive Muslims (or even non-Muslims in some cases) want to kill themselves? Are they trying to get some attention, feeling so voiceless? Are they even serious about it?"
From The Body
You Have HIV ... Now What? A Blog Entry by Justin B. Terry-Smith (February 18, 2011)
"First things first: IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. You can survive and live a good long life with HIV."
From The Body
2011: The Year to Suck It Up -- A Blog Entry by Philip D. (February 2, 2011)
"Every time I catch myself beginning to complain about something I'm going to ask myself what sort of fear might be lurking beneath the surface. ... Will it work? Not sure but it's worth a try. Ask me at the year's end."
From The Body
Thank You Notes (Winter 2011)
Studies show that gratitude can improve both your health and happiness by strengthening your immune system and increasing your level of optimism. Here, four people with HIV count their blessings. What are you grateful for?
To read PDF, click here.
In The Positive Side, from Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
My Last Say in 2010 From My Heart! A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton (December 31, 2010)
"On Twitter I've created a hashtag #FuckinFriday. It's the day when people fuck without thinking. Now you combine #FuckinFriday with this being the last day of the year, I smell double trouble."
From The Body
Monday Reflection: Accepting the Bad, for Your Good -- A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton (December 27, 2010)
"As the year is coming to a end one can’t help but to reflect on the last 12 months. For me, it was one hell of a year."
From The Body
Monday Reflection: Living in Your Life! A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton (December 20, 2010)
"I’m actually grateful that God has blessed me with life long enough to see my creative gifts and talent flourish. ... [I]f AIDS had taken my life years ago I wouldn't be launching my line of Tea Bracelets for RLT Collection today."
From The Body
Tea With Rae: An Introduction -- A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton (December 17, 2010)
"As I continue to live longer than anyone ever expected I want to share the joy that lives within. The joy that AIDS can never take away from me... Tea happens to be one of those joys."
From The Body
Fighting the "Holiday Blues": A Blog Entry by ScotCharles (December 16, 2010)
"For many people with HIV/AIDS this season can be especially bad. ... My partner and I have discovered a few ways to battle the Holiday Blues, which we hope can help you."
From The Body
My New BFF: A Blog Entry by Philip D. (December 13, 2010)
"The past eight weeks I practiced and cultivated some pretty useful skills and I have a damn good feeling that some of them will enable me to eventually become the man I always hoped I would be."
From The Body
Paying Attention: A Blog Entry by ScotCharles (December 7, 2010)
"When we give our attention to something, it flourishes, just like a garden. Our attitude about life is very much like a garden."
From The Body
I Trust in Us: A Blog Entry by Philip D. (December 6, 2010)
"It is my hope that the more I learn to trust myself, the easier it will be for me to place my trust in others."
From The Body
Breaking the Silence? A Blog Entry by fogcityjohn (December 2, 2010)
From The Body
Let It Be: A Blog Entry by By Philip D. (November 21, 2010)
"I'm starting to see my meditation as a form of mental exercise. Just like working out or doing cardio, it took time to build endurance and confidence."
From The Body
I Am HIV Positive and I Don't Blame Anybody -- Including Myself (November 17, 2010)
From Black AIDS Institute
The Benefits of Living with HIV (November 15, 2010)
From The Body
Patience and Paradox: A Blog Entry by Philip D. (November 8, 2010)
"Mindfulness is about simply being present and doing something for no particular reason or desired outcome, without judgment. It can be stress free and actually fun and playful."
From The Body
The 2010 HIV Cruise Retreat: A Video Blog Entry by Mark S. King (November 3, 2010)
"There was a minimum of the strutting or posturing you would normally find among a large group of gay men. Instead, there was a vulnerability we shared (body image issues, from lipoatrophy to weight, were empathetically embraced) that helped us feel closer to one another from the start."
From The Body
The Sound of Silence: A Blog Entry by Philip D. (October 31, 2010)
I have come to understand that the voice that I hear from the moment I open my eyes in the morning until my head hits the pillow at night, playing both judge and jury, is a culmination of perhaps every voice I?ve ever heard except Philip's. This week, each time I wanted to label or judge something around me, I asked myself, whose voice was I listening to: there?s or mine?
From The Body
A Beginner's Mind: A Blog Entry by Philip D. (October 20, 2010)
As I wind up my first two weeks of cultivating Mindfulness, I'm still not sure the best, most concise way of relaying what I've learned ... I don't think I've ever attempted something that sounded so simple but in practice, required such a true level of commitment.
From The Body
Remembering Yesterday: A Blog Entry by Enrique Franco (October 19, 2010)
When I first became infected I had moments of longing for the yester me. I would think that I lost the fun. This damn HIV robbed me of the partying and the boozing and the playing around. It robbed me of my health. ... I was right in having those thoughts. But I was absolutely wrong in believing them.
From The Body
Monday Reflection: Coping ... -- A Blog Entry by Rae Lewis-Thornton (October 4, 2010)
Could I be so sad that I'm numb? Could I have so much going on that to think about any of it would require more then I can handle?
From The Body
One Step Forward: A Blog Entry by Philip D. (September 29, 2010)
I am committed to spend 20 minutes every morning and 20 minutes every night to retrain the way my mind uses my brain. ... I'm inviting all of you who find yourselves in a battle with the voice that narrates your own life, to do the same.
From The Body
D-Day: A Blog Entry by Richard Cordova III (September 20, 2010)
Looking back I can see the process of dealing with my HIV diagnosis through words, sounds, and images but not really knowing how to reach out for help. ... That being said, I can see the process where I was learning to accept the diagnosis and my own mortality.
From The Body
Pozitively Struggling (September 15, 2010)
I have been trying to do some serious work integrating HIV and acceptance of it into who I am. ... But, translating these thoughts, experiences, and feelings into daily actions is sometimes very hard to do.
From The Body
Beth: A Blog Entry by ScotCharles (September 8, 2010)
I shall never forget Beth. She taught me to forgive and find peace, to love and to live in the moment, and to live without fear or anger.
From The Body
A Bitter Pill: A Blog Entry by Philip D. (September 7, 2010)
After several sessions with a therapist who asked me some pretty tough questions that I didn't have the answers to, I then looked myself in the mirror and asked: What else have you been using HIV as an excuse for?
From The Body
Adding Life to Our Years: A Blog Entry by Philip D. (July 7, 2010)
Let's say you do want to live until you can't go a day longer. You might still ask yourself, am I just adding years to my life or am I striving to add life to my years?
From The Body
Spring Cleaning (Spring/Summer 2010)
To read PDF, click here.
In The Positive Side, from Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
My Journey to Self-Esteem (May 23, 2010)
In Black AIDS Weekly, from Black AIDS Institute
Cry Me an Ocean (in the Desert): A Blog Entry by Philip D. (May 5, 2010)
I've taken crying to a whole new level since contracting HIV. Maybe it's the meds, maybe it's the virus itself affecting my brain -- or maybe, just maybe, I've become more evolved.
From The Body
Back From the Brink: A Blog Entry by Thomas DeLorenzo (November 10, 2009)
People are still dying from AIDS-related causes in the U.S. -- and some of them die without even knowing they're HIV positive. This almost happened to Hollywood publicist and TheBody.com blogger Thomas DeLorenzo.
From The Body
Living With Two Diseases: HIV and Alcoholism: A Blog Entry by Jimmy Mack (July 28, 2009)
The shame I felt at being gay, coupled with my Catholic upbringing, was the very shame that filled me when I met the only thing that quieted that shame: alcohol.
From The Body
This Positive Life: An Interview With Sarah (July 15, 2009)
In This Positive Life, from The Body
Beyond Ripe (May/June 2009)
"All my kvetching aside, I am happy I made it to 43," says HIV advocate Jim Pickett. "Fourteen years ago, when I found out I was HIV positive, the drama queen in me had me burned up in a vase before 40."
To read PDF, click here.
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
My Search for Meaning: A Video Blog Entry by Mark S. King (May 27, 2009)
After more than 20 years living with HIV, Mark is still searching for meaning in his life and the role that HIV has played in it. In this emotional episode of Mark's ongoing video blog, he talks with three key people who helped him make sense of it all.
From The Body
You Gotta Have Friends: A Video Blog Entry by Mark S. King (April 22, 2009)
Mark invites a group of his HIV-positive friends over for dinner. Together they share intimate stories about disclosure, sex, dating and how they've coped with their status.
From The Body
Taking Care of Hal: A Video Blog Entry by Mark S. King (November 20, 2008)
Ever hear someone claim that only a person with HIV can truly understand what it's like to be positive? Longtime HIV survivor Mark King begs to differ. Mark is in Michigan with his oldest brother Hal, who is struggling with lung cancer. He explains how caring for Hal "took me out of myself, out of my disease, and allowed me to focus on another person. This has been my gift this [Thanksgiving] holiday, to be there for Hal and to put my own HIV infection into perspective."
From The Body
How I Find the JOY in Every Day (Spring 2008)
To read PDF, click here.
In The Positive Side, from Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
This Month in HIV: Tips and Tricks for Coping With HIV/AIDS (November/December 2007)
A psychologist and three HIV-positive people share their wisdom.
In This Month in HIV, from The Body
Bi Bi Baby: I Need Help (July/August 2007)
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
When We Can't Take It Anymore: HIV, Depression and Friendship (September/October 2004)
In a conversation with friends, Tom Setto realizes how important a role friendship can play in keeping your head above water.
To read PDF, click here.
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
The Past, the Present and the Future (July/August 2004)
A reflective essay written in 2001 by Charles Clifton, the Chicago AIDS advocate who passed away in August 2004.
In GMHC Treatment Issues, from Gay Men's Health Crisis
Medals for Our Misery (June/July 2002)
Let's start giving Troop HIV some recognition.
In Positive Living, from AIDS Project Los Angeles
Taking It Easy (January 1999)
A PWLA on his addiction to work.
In Survival News, from AIDS Survival Project
Quotes (Summer 1998)
After 16 years with HIV, the author has collected a few odd statements about AIDS.
In Women Alive Newsletter, from Women Alive
Living Longer and Healthier with HIV: Three HIV-Positive People Share Their Advice (January 1997)
In Women Alive Newsletter, from Women Alive