#changetheface

"One thing that being positive has taught me – life is too short for being mad at yourself. It’s too short not to try and experience anything that you can right now. Who knows what will happen tomorrow?   

Maybe I needed to do everything as I did. I was – I think – lucky to get the opportunity at 23 to get a punch in the face and say: What the fuck are you doing? Figure your shit out right now!

This huge emotional trauma of becoming positive gave me the chance to sort my life out and realize who I was and who I wanted to be."

1. “It’s not going to happen to me” is bullshit.

Our generation sees HIV as a far away, irrelevant issue. I made the mistake of thinking it wasn’t a problem that would affect me. We should be thinking, “It could happen to anyone.”

2. When it comes to talking about being HIV+, the truth has almost always set me free. That applies to disclosing to my friends and family and getting overwhelming support, to being open about my status when dating. The quicker and more open you are, the more respect you receive.

3. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”  There are some people who just won’t understand.

4. No one is to blame. Wasting time and energy blaming other people or yourself for getting positive brings you nowhere. Shit happens. Accept it and live above it. But allow yourself some moments of sadness.

5. Speaking of divas, Beyoncé was all like … when I went undetectable.

6. Wear condoms! Reduce the risk of transmission between partners. Take medication, and you can almost remove the risk completely. HIV isn’t a free ticket for risky and unhealthy behavior. There’s way more nasty stuff out there!

7. Stereotypes are wrong. And dangerous.

8. Positive can be positive. Becoming HIV+ gave me the opportunity to re-think and re-boot my entire life, making me a better and stronger person. I let my mistakes guide me forward, not define me or hold me back.