San Antonio, Texas
Positive since 1996

I diagnosed with HIV in 1996. There were no tantrums, no banging my head on the wall or floor. I just accepted my responsibility. I had no one to blame but myself.

HIV has opened my mind and life into a new world. Not a bad world, but just a different world. But it’s all the same to me. No one can tell that I’m HIV positive nor can I tell if they are. I don’t stress (that’s what helps my numbers). Learning I was HIV positive really saved my life. Crazy, right? Not in my world. I was out of control. Drinking like a fish, doing drugs, just out of control. While the world was slipping away I was usually drunk, fucked up, and I lost a lot of time (blacking out). There’s just a lot of time I wasted. Can’t get it back. But what I can do is make use of the time I have now. I got away from the party people. Time to make new, good memories. I’m really not alone because I know the right person will walk into my life. Someone who is in the same place that I’m in right now.

So to end my story, never ever give up. We all have bad days. Everyone does. Doesn’t matter who you are, we all have ’em. And we have a good days too. Cling to the good days and learn from the bad ones. And talk to God a lot like I do. He listens, and I know He has answered a lot of my prayers (in His time). Keep the faith, don’t judge, love life and laugh a lot. Who cares if you laugh at nothing, you have the right. Good luck, and remember...the sun will always shine so live, laugh, love and be happy.

Peace!

What three adjectives best describe you?
Cool, happy, growing.

What is your greatest achievement?
I helped save a friend’s marriage. They are happier than they’ve been in years.

What is your greatest regret?
Taking life for granted

What keeps you up at night?
When there’s no thunder. I love a rainy night with thunder.

If you could change one thing about living with HIV, what would it be?
That people who have HIV wouldn’t give up or let it get them down

What is the best advice you ever received?
Treat others like you want to be treated.

What person in the HIV/AIDS community do you most admire?

Anyone that just loves. To me, admiring people is a weakness of one’s self-worth.

What drives you to do what you do?
God. It’s his plan, not mine, that I rely on.

What is your motto?
“Live, love, laugh, be happy” and “Treat others like you want to be treated.”

If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
My laptop. I have my diary on it.

If you could be any animal, what would you be? And why?
An eagle. I think they are majestic and it would be cool to fly.