How has your HIV status affected your family members and friends?

Fortunately, my children are the best support system that I have. The rest of my family ignores the issues and me.

My friends know that I am very out spoken and do not have a problem sharing my views on acceptance from others. You must accept yourself, feel comfortable with YOUR STATUS and walk the walk of confidence. For me GOD is my only true friend, for HE'LL never leave YOU or forsake YOU.

How has your HIV status affected your family members and friends?

I believe my being HIV positive has made most of my family and all of my friends more compassionate and understanding of people with HIV, or any major illness for that matter.

How has your HIV status affected your family members and friends?

My status definitely had a strong affect on my family's life. My oldest brother Leon had AIDS and died in 1991, so there was a lot of fear about HIV/AIDS. As I mentioned in my bio, my mother was the first person I told, and her response set the precedence of my acceptance.

How has your HIV status affected your family members and friends?

Becoming HIV positive taught me and my family that no one is immune to HIV, nor AIDS simply because we do not date outside of our race. My family became more educated about HIV, and I notice that certain members in my family, that use to deal with more than one partner at a time, suddenly stopped and became more committed to one person, as oppose to the multiple partners they were once dealing with.

How has your HIV status affected your family members and friends?

My family members originally were very frightened when I was diagnosed and they threw me out of their house. Now with more contact and information, they are supportive but cautious.