Individuals
A 38-year old gay man considers himself "one of the lucky ones". He tested positive for HIV 16 years ago and has enjoyed steadfast support from his family. He says:
“My mom has been there for everything, as have the rest of my family. They don’t treat me any different than they used to. As a matter of fact, I would say that it has brought us closer as a family. I wish that more families would understand that we are human… We need the support of our families. Without them I would have been dead a long time ago, not physically, but mentally and emotionally. I have been blessed, and I hope that more people can hear my story and see that a family’s love is one of the most important things in helping a person who has been affected by HIV/AIDS deal with what they are going through.”
“My mom has been there for everything, as have the rest of my family. They don’t treat me any different than they used to. As a matter of fact, I would say that it has brought us closer as a family. I wish that more families would understand that we are human… We need the support of our families. Without them I would have been dead a long time ago, not physically, but mentally and emotionally. I have been blessed, and I hope that more people can hear my story and see that a family’s love is one of the most important things in helping a person who has been affected by HIV/AIDS deal with what they are going through.”
A striking Cuban-American with dreams of a career in broadcasting got an unpleasant surprise on his 19th birthday. He tested HIV positive. It was a rude awakening that he hopes others won’t experience.
“I knew everything – 100 percent – about HIV. I was attuned to the HIV prevention campaigns on South Florida radio, TV and billboards. I was ignoring it… I think [HIV] positive people are a social club who should get the word out through coming out, getting involved, and preventing new members from needing to join this club… I realize that [I might not have gotten HIV] if maybe someone who was my age had told me, ‘Hey, this can happen to you, don’t be stupid. Don’t be so naive!’”
“I knew everything – 100 percent – about HIV. I was attuned to the HIV prevention campaigns on South Florida radio, TV and billboards. I was ignoring it… I think [HIV] positive people are a social club who should get the word out through coming out, getting involved, and preventing new members from needing to join this club… I realize that [I might not have gotten HIV] if maybe someone who was my age had told me, ‘Hey, this can happen to you, don’t be stupid. Don’t be so naive!’”
A survivor notes: “I wear my Until There’s A Cure® bracelet in remembrance…”
“I wear my Until There’s A Cure® bracelet in remembrance of my friends who have passed away from AIDS and also to remind myself that I am a survivor of AIDS. If only my friends were still here with me today to see the progress in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, life would be so much brighter… I miss my friends who have passed and hope they know I’m thinking of them each time each time I wear my bracelet. I love you all, you are always be in my heart.”
“I wear my Until There’s A Cure® bracelet in remembrance of my friends who have passed away from AIDS and also to remind myself that I am a survivor of AIDS. If only my friends were still here with me today to see the progress in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, life would be so much brighter… I miss my friends who have passed and hope they know I’m thinking of them each time each time I wear my bracelet. I love you all, you are always be in my heart.”
What is it like to battle this disease for 25 years – through several bouts of cancer and the debilitating treatment regimens that go with them?
With a supportive family, a wonderful team of medical professionals, and a positive attitude, one reader says: “To make a long story short, I went on to have a pretty darn good life. I was not able to go back to work, so I went on disability and lived with my parents, taking care of them through their last good years, which I was more than happy to do… I now live alone with my dog Gracie, and two cats, Lola, and Tillie, the LOVES of my life. Life is good. There are many chapters of my life over the last twenty five years – too many to go into now – [but] I do believe I AM THE LONG TIME SURVIVOR.”
With a supportive family, a wonderful team of medical professionals, and a positive attitude, one reader says: “To make a long story short, I went on to have a pretty darn good life. I was not able to go back to work, so I went on disability and lived with my parents, taking care of them through their last good years, which I was more than happy to do… I now live alone with my dog Gracie, and two cats, Lola, and Tillie, the LOVES of my life. Life is good. There are many chapters of my life over the last twenty five years – too many to go into now – [but] I do believe I AM THE LONG TIME SURVIVOR.”
The Bracelet helps this man stay vigilant about his health.
“Three years ago I started dating someone who wore the Bracelet. One day I finally got around to asking what it was for and why he wore it. It really affected me knowing it was for AIDS/HIV because that is a disease any gay man can get in the blink of an eye. I purchased my own bracelet and have never been seen without it. Earlier this year I started seeing someone else and in no time we became very close. One day he sat me down and told me he needed to tell me something. He just found out that he was HIV positive. From the time he knew until the time he told me, he was sure I was going to leave him once I found out. Little did he know that love is strong and can overcome anything. We both wear matching bracelets, love each other, and make sure I remain HIV negative.”
“Three years ago I started dating someone who wore the Bracelet. One day I finally got around to asking what it was for and why he wore it. It really affected me knowing it was for AIDS/HIV because that is a disease any gay man can get in the blink of an eye. I purchased my own bracelet and have never been seen without it. Earlier this year I started seeing someone else and in no time we became very close. One day he sat me down and told me he needed to tell me something. He just found out that he was HIV positive. From the time he knew until the time he told me, he was sure I was going to leave him once I found out. Little did he know that love is strong and can overcome anything. We both wear matching bracelets, love each other, and make sure I remain HIV negative.”
In 1993, a vibrant young man was understandably angry when told that AIDS would take his life within 3-6 months. With determination, a positive attitude, able medical care, he persevered.
“I believe that the mind is so much stronger than we give it credit for, and that a positive attitude (no pun intended), is what helped me through this crisis of the early 1990’s. I had an incredible doctor that despite all the bad news, helped me take ownership and put me on the institutional review board for a local hospital that did testing with new HIV/AIDS medications. I joined and volunteered at local AIDS Service Organizations and eventually got introduced to the AIDS bike ride phenomenon. In 2003 I started my own AIDS bicycle ride and today it has brought in and returned 100% of $1.8 Million. My story is one of hope and belief that we can make it better for each other and that it only takes one of us to move things forward, coalesce people together and make change.”
“I believe that the mind is so much stronger than we give it credit for, and that a positive attitude (no pun intended), is what helped me through this crisis of the early 1990’s. I had an incredible doctor that despite all the bad news, helped me take ownership and put me on the institutional review board for a local hospital that did testing with new HIV/AIDS medications. I joined and volunteered at local AIDS Service Organizations and eventually got introduced to the AIDS bike ride phenomenon. In 2003 I started my own AIDS bicycle ride and today it has brought in and returned 100% of $1.8 Million. My story is one of hope and belief that we can make it better for each other and that it only takes one of us to move things forward, coalesce people together and make change.”