Phoenixboi~wow! This is one of the most moving blogs I have read here so far~thanks for telling us your story! I can relate to so much of what you say here~although for different reasons.

I've known many people with HIV and full-blown AIDS. Lost two very good friends to the illness so far. I've seen the ignorance and hysteria that can result from not being educated on the subject, and learning a simple fact or two (the info is out there, and has been for many years.). The bottom line is this: Many folks still consider this a gay disease. Never mind that many heterosexuals have had it too. Or else people still think only heroin addicts become infected. I honestly don't understand how anyone can still think that after all these years have gone by. It's a kind of self righteous denial. And it disturbs me to no end.

I saw how folks treated some of my friends with AIDS. Playing the blame game. Well, if you only had stopped having gay sex. Then none of this would have happened. Say what? Can you imagine somebody speaking to a straight person like that? To tell an infected mother with a child that is also infected that if she only had not had sex with her husband (perhaps he contracted the virus from a dirty needle). Nobody is gonna be that callous (and misguided) towards her. At least I would hope not! So why blame gay people then? It's just a kind of prejudice (and ignorance) coming out big time. And there's no reason for it. All the information you need is out there. There are so many hotlines and books and even a video or two that you can check out from your local library for free. Nobody has an excuse NOT to understand that this disease is NOT about playing the blame game, and also that it can affect all groups of people regardless of their sexual orientation. AIDS does not discriminate. Period.

This is a strong topic for me, because of the friends I have loved and lost. And because of the shabby treatment from the government I saw them have to endure (simply to stay alive for another year or so). BUT I am very glad you wrote this, and that many JU folks are offering you some kind words of support. I would like to do the same for you now. You seem like a very brave and caring person, and I truly admire that about you.

Plus you are trying to educate us (through your example), and that is a very noble thing to do. Something tells me you're gonna beat this disease! You lived so long with it, and now folks are living longer and longer with it, so I truly hope you live many, many more years, and perhaps even manage to see the day when a cure is discovered at last. It's been a long time coming. Too many wonderful people have been needlessly lost. So keep on hanging in there for all of us! And thanks for helping us to see the very human face of this most tragic disease. You will always be a remarkable person to me.

~MadPoet

P.S. If you ever wanna chat with somebody about this stuff, please feel free to contact me on my own website. I will gladly be your cyber friend. I have a kind of terminal illness myself~chronic clinical depression. So I know all about the daily struggle issues you describe here so well. AND WELCOME TO THE JOEUSER FAMILY BIG TIME!

www.thewelfaredude.blogspot.com