Do you personally know someone that died from AIDS?

Any close family or friends with HIV / AIDS?

  • One or more of my family members is HIV+

    Votes: 4 3.5%
  • I have a friend / friends that is / are HIV+

    Votes: 20 17.4%
  • I personally know someone that died from AIDS-related illnesses

    Votes: 53 46.1%
  • I've never known anyone personally who is HIV+

    Votes: 38 33.0%

  • Total voters
    115
  • Poll closed .

B_Stronzo

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Matthew said:
I've noticed that a lot of people over the last 5+ years have really benefitted from combination therapy and the new drugs available. Several people I'm close to have had their viral load reduced to undetectable levels. While they still have to take medicine and be extra careful of their health in general, their quality of life is basically good - almost as if they had never been infected. When those same people first found out they were HIV+, they considered it a death sentence, as many do. It's a pretty beautiful thing to see them reacquire the thoughts and dreams of a long and prosperous life.

In the midst of all the sobering personal accounts here Matthew I gotta tell ya it's heartening to hear your upbeat take on something so serious and life-altering. Your spin is welcome.

I agree. It is a 'pretty beautiful thing' since I've seen it among several I know too.
 

lbkontop

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The man I am named after, my uncle died 9 years ago he was gay. he was so upbeat and positive, one of the last things he did for me was buy me a cowboy hat, boots, and a buckle with my first initial on it. I still have this buckle and I still wear it.
 

findfirefox

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The ignorance of some people who think that AIDS has a sexual prefrence, but I don't know of anyone who has AIDS or someone who has died. Though I'm glad that people are starting to protect themselves more but something needs to change because I just can't stand to think that people keep dying everyday.

I personaly always use a condom and get tested a few times a year...
 

iio

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This is a tough topic for me. When I was younger, I was an HIV/AIDS peer health educator. I went out and taught members of my peers about HIV and how to protect themselves. I didnt know that many people that were positive but a few here and there.

Wasnt until the last 4 years that one by one very, very, very good friends came out positive (4 now). The epidemic hit home. I always care, fought, about HIV/AIDS issues. But when it happen to someone who is extremely close, it takes on a whole new meaning.

One thing I learned that some of my HIV positive friends served as the biggest inspiration to me. That showed me that HIV is not a death sentence but a new chapter. One said he started living when he found out that he was positive. He appreciate everything more and enjoying each momment for what they are worth. The sky is bluer, the birds sings louder, the air is crisper.

Sometimes I dont know why I'm so positive and upbeat about life. I have no reason to be extra happy on certains days but I do. Now looking back I think that msg was unconsciously ingrained in me. Through those who decide to live, allowed me to live. For that my life is richer, deeper, and more meaningful than ever before. For that I will always be grateful.
 

fortiesfun

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Glad to see this old thread revived this morning, as I was not a member yet when it first came out. Worth reading the whole thread for JustAsking's astonishing and wonderful post (#37).

Lost too many friends, and (in JustAsking's vein) know too many who are still persecuted...
 

D_Bob_Crotchitch

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Dr Rock said:
i have several friends living with AIDS; i've buried rather more who died from it. can't say i've "learned" anything from it, beyond further confirmation (as if any was needed) that life is shit and will only get shittier.

I think it's so sad your outlook on live has taken this turn. Life is what it is and we do the best we can. Sometimes, we suffer for our own mistakes. Sometimes we suffer because of wrong done to us. Sometimes, it's just life.
 

avg_joe

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I have a cousin, and a friend died with AIDS in front of me. Since then I haven't had sex with anybody because I don't trust people anymore. Even if I use condom, I feel like I am not safe enough.
 

rayray

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In 1988 i took a vacation with 3 of my closest friends. They all died, 91, 92, and 1993. What is so bad about this disease is it takes so many people in the prime of their life. And the time they had before death was excruciating. I often wonder why i lived and they died. In 2004 i was diagnosed with cancer. I thought it was a death sentence, but i survived. To this very day I give thanks to God. This from a very confused Catholic.
 

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In my field of endeavor, I have had friends, colleagues I have even had three cousins pass from the disease. When we had the AIDS quilt in DC is was breath taking to me when I walked among the names of so many people I had known and loved...
 

B_rag0007

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:mad: had a friend who died from aids.....the open casket was very disturbing ...in that is body was extremely emaciated like a mummy out of a tomb......
 

speshk

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I had a friend in high school who died from it. It was the early Eighties. He was a hemophiliac. His was acquired through blood transfusion. I ran into him shortly before he died. He was always thin and unhealthy looking so I didn't suspect anything amiss. His behavior gave nothing away either, though he must have known he was dying. In retrospect, he seemed to be at peace. He shook my hand and said goodbye. He was very brave. A tough kid. His was a hard lot.
 

SassySpy

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Sadly, yes. One close friend denied the illness, the same way he denied his homosexuality even until the day he died. I miss him, I think he would have come out by now had he lived.

The other close friend embraced his sexuality as much as he embraced life itself. He was my best teacher of acceptance and diversity. He embraced living his sexuality in an unsafe manner , before it was fashionable AND smart to be safe, and now he is gone. I am so glad he was here.

addendum: yes both my friends who died of AIDs illnesses were gay- but I know that it is not a 'gay' disease. Having had blood transfusions during the 'outbreak' of the AIDs epidemic, I had to have blood tests for quite some time afterwards. I really wish more people were well-informed about it, however. Knowledge is power, and ignorance is not bliss.