My blood. Just like yours? I hope not!I think this might be the first time that I have ever really acknowledged World Aids Day, even though I have had HIV since the early to mid eighties when I inadvertently injected syringe after syringe of contaminated blood into my young veins to treat my haemophilia. First time for everything I suppose?
I have known since 1987 when my doctors thought it best to let me know when I reached 16. They knew in 1985 when my blood tested positive for HIV. Looking back, I'll never forget the two or so years that they kept quiet. I could have infected anyone! I wasn't on any medication for those two years and my viral load would have been in the millions. After a few drug trials in 87 I started my HIV drugs properly a few years later. I have been very lucky in that I have not had one HIV induced problem in all the time that I have had HIV. I have been very strict with my drugs and most importantly, I have looked after myself and tried to keep as healthy as possible. It isn't easy and sometimes I wonder why I bother! But, I am well and healthy and my viral load is undetectable as a result of my HIV medications. I wish I hadn't caught it at such a young age. There is no doubt that my life has been irreversibly affected by learning such horrific news at such a young age. I wish I was normal!
Oh well, things could be worse. I could be dead like so many others, some that I knew personally.
Whatever you do on December 1st 2008 (World AIDS Day) just make sure you remember the boys and girls, men and women that have already died as a result of HIV & AIDS.
For more information on World Aids Day visit;
http://www.worldaidsday.org/
Jason
(C) JPT 2008.
3 comments:
Well what can I say except I am glad that you bothered to try and stay fit, healthy and alive, the world would be a duller place without you in it. Here's to another 25+ years with you in it and in my life hopefully. Take care of yourself Shelley xxx
Damn that's a rockin poster you made. Blood on there is for real I bet :) Excellent post too. Funny how you've never acknowledged this event. Glad you are now as you have SO much to offer. You are an amazing person, Jae. I have learned so much from you. Here's to loving someone with HIV :) cheers!
i just stumbled onto your blog... i have a friend who also has hemophilia (i know im not spelling it right) and got hiv from a blood transfusion. great guy - he's a pastor (had to leave a church once when they found out he had hiv - such great hypocrites). anyway just found it interesting to find another person like him... he is at http://shanestanford.blogspot.com/ blessings
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