Comments on: WWMD

By: SERGE

SERGE — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:50:47 +0000

hello
WWMD said it : “Know this my friend(s). No matter what, you are loved and this does not make you any less worthy or deserving of love, respect, etc. Your right to be and exist is unchallenged. While navigating the hardships ahead may not always be easy, accept yourself (and your faults) and do not let anyone try to make you feel any different.”

I would add: love yourself, be nice to others, learn to say no when you really think NO. Do not let anyone decide for you: doctors, social workers. A good decision is an informed one that you’re taking yourself. I lived in San Francisco from 1979 to 1991, today I’m back in France. I was client 731 at the aids food bank in SF, so long ago. I did experience the love and the respect that WWDM is refering to. It made me a much better human and taught me to love and respect myself and others.
Good luck to you.
Serge

By: Pete

Pete — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:58:06 +0000

Especially if he lives away from a city with groups like SF’s Stop Aids Project or AIDS Health Project, online resources can fill in a lot of gaps. The Body.com and AIDSMeds.com provide constantly updated news and information and have forums where experts and others can answer questions or just lend an ear.

By: rg

rg — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:53:50 +0000

I’ve been living with HIV for over 25 years. Your advice was spot on.

By: Boomer

Boomer — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:26:48 +0000

Great advice Moby. To the reader I would say that right now you can’t escape these feelings…so don’t…they’re important…but you need to move past them in time. Since my diagnosis nearly 15 years ago I have seen many people who get stuck in a bad head space and their lives and health were the worse for it.

I was lucky enough to have some poz friends who forced me to own the feelings, learn the lessons and move on with life. I was told repeatedly…if your gonna hang with us NO WHINING…PERIOD! Put one foot in front of the other and get on with life.

It was good advice. Also if you think your life is over take it from me, in some ways my life didn’t start until August 26, 1994. Since then I have achieved career success (sort of), met the love of my life (12 years and going), bought a house and seen the world (Italy this December…can’t wait!)

So take the advice of the T-Shirt…Keep Calm and Carry On. Best of luck to you.

By: Kevin-Andrew

Kevin-Andrew — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:14:48 +0000

Wonderful advice.

By: Blobby

Blobby — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:03:34 +0000

What the Mobes says is true. Fortunately and Un – depending on the circumstances.

Health, Wellness, Diet, Exercise are all important. But a good support system is imperative, whether is be trusted friends or strangers in a support area. (someone told me of a group called Safety in Numbers which he loves, since he is only 4 mos diagnosed).

Hard to say and believe right now, but keeping a cool, calm head will do wonders for you. Think logically, not emotionally – the latter will come (and always be there).

Hopefully the writer lives in an area where the stigma of HIV isn’t as bad. I sympathize for those in areas not bolstered by a more understanding base when they need it.

But so many things are on-line at this point, if your town has no support system you want to use, there are places to go cyber-wide to talk, share your thoughts and concerns.

The good thing is – you’re not alone. And it is not what it was two decades ago.