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I spent two long years caring for my boyfriend before he died of AIDS in Los Angeles in 1989, and of course I eventually tested positive myself and began to get sick. So I bury the boyfriend and now I'm getting sicker and sicker with no cure in sight. I'm on my last legs, literally, when they decide to put me on protease inhibitors. They save my life. But physically I'm shot. Now 25 years later I'm almost 60, worrying about paying for my meds on Med. Part D with the donut hole, and broke.
This article rings home. My story, found out 1989 not only that I was positive but my husband was bisexual. Unbelief, loneliness and despair for a moment. I had a husband to care for. After his death in 1991 I had to care for 4 young children and then began caring for myself. As a heterosexual woman for many years I carried shame wishing I had anything but this. I've learned to be grateful to be here, there's been some bumps fortunately not many health ones, Seize the day everyone, u deserve it
In the late 80's, I lived in Chicago's Lincoln Park district while attending DePaul University and volunteered at an A.I.D.S. Hospice at night. People suffered horribly and yet it was the sense of community of belonging and having a home that helped them bear it. Speed forward to 2017. It's all gone; no support groups, no games. We are living with hiv/a.i.d.s.but we are alone.It's time to stand and demand more of ourselves and our community. Get the buddy groups going again and make a difference.
I have the honor of knowing this man since we were kids. He is by far the most wonderful human being Ive ever known. God watches over him a little extra so he can stay here with us and continue to do the great work he does. I truly love and admire him xo
I too am a longterm survivor, saved in one of the protease trials. We are older than our years due to the toll the meds and the virus have taken on our bodies, but I wonder if the thing that will help us now is helping each other again. Building community among men of our age and trying to find ways to mentor younger gay men and tell them our stories. I'm hopeful that the growing awareness of longterm survivors will help us joyfully complete the longer lives we thought we'd never had.
Isolation for LTS in large cities is hard enough, but except for the internet people in rural America who are LTS have a total isolation. The stigma in rural America is much greater than in the large cities, there is little to no opportunity for partnerships or even dating, and the support networks ignore you even more blatantly. The only solution I see is to find ways for us to cohabit, creating our own housing environments and working together.
Very good article, too many times I read profiles in courage of gay HIV poz men that I have very little in common with or statements that I can identify with but not this article. I feel represented as someone with AIDS for over a quarter century.
lou24772
I have been living with HIV for 30 years. I have never been sick as a result of the virus. I am disabled, but able to do office work, but I cannot take a job or I will lose the benefits that pay for my deductibles. So, I just sit at home and age--what a waste. If the government would allow me to stay on Medicaid, I would be paying back into the system. Politics is such a mess.
March 29, 2017 • Louisiana