Having HIV is a challenge, especially at a young age. You worry about things that should only be the worries of the sick, but wait, do you count as a "sick" person? Will children be in your future? Well, I'm not 100% sure about women, but I know men, unless you plan on adopting children, they're not happening. Yes, it's a detrimental blow to your manhood, but what other options are available? The conscience goes in and out of control, whether you endure a taste of flaming anger, or a slice of blue tragedy, the remedy is the same. Stop. Think. Make a bold decision to fight. Live your life, because recently, I've discovered there is a live out there living with HIV. We have to take hold of a new perspective, that will take you on a path of happiness, and well being.

What is your purpose in life? Go out and do something! Make a difference big or small, just do it. While most of the world is drenched with evil, you can be that person to positively alter somebody's life today!

It's a shock, Michael Jackson had died. I believe, I would have been more affected, if I didn't have this diagnosis. Possibly, because I had just recently found out how short life and unpredictable life can be, so it's no heartache for me as much as it is for most people. After attending my first support group, yesterday, it really astounded me, by observing the majority of the ages of the men who were present, with how there is a severe need of services specifically for youth. I know, I'm not the only young person in this country who is infected. Why then, does it seem like I'm the only one strong enough, my age, to speak out about an issue that will not go away, until, there is a barrier of prevention that is inflicted into all of the minds of every sexually active young person on this earth!

Damn

Today, I went to work, for the second day, which exhausted me. Later in the day, Michael Jackson died right before I went to the HIV+ mens' support group for the first time, so it made me nervous, like I wasn't before. Damn, he was the best. What a loss, I loved MJ. I've underwent a draining day.

In the day

I'm trying. I'm attempting, to override my infinite agony. The bud helps, though, I do not promote the usage of illegal substances. Without it, I'd probably be dead. I still talk to the person who had condemned me with this, why, because I'm an idiot. My crying spells are still fiercely occurring, but what am I to do, but allow them the privilege. I went to work for the first time, since my month-long hospitalization. It went better than I thought, tough, money will barely be coming in, with the hours they've blessed me with. I'm trying to stay afloat.

I believe, I need this semi-denial to dominate this weakness that destroys me, otherwise. Half of the time, I'm fruitful and ready to fight, in the other half, I'm to the lowest of lows in depression. I've dominated many obstacles in my life, as in being in foster care, while enduring constant abuse, and eventually returning to an even more dysfunctional fuck up of a family that one can be, till this day. This hole, this mass of emptiness of which I can physically feel in my chest, is the most devastatingly, agonizing sense I've ever experienced, surpassing anything I've been through, thus far. A euphoria of death, loneliness, shock, and disbelief just consumes control of my entire being. In these reoccurring times, I can't stop the progress of this ramped grief. I've realized, I may be moving to slow in seeking support from the resources that are available for me. I just started these once an hour, once a week therapy sessions with this one man who specializes in my pain. I remember him gasping, "oh, but you're just a baby!". That comment stuck with me, causing me to reflect on this preset glorious life I had ahead of me, and now how that's all changed. I plan on joining his groups as well, he recommended it. He said there were two guys near my age , 22 and 25, that attend. Knowing I can possibly connect with someone near my age, going through similar problems, soothes my anxieties about the dominant age difference. We'll see what happens.

Sometimes, I feel like I'm putting up a front. I wear a smile to cover up all of the agony inside. I laugh at a comment, or a joke to further my inner denial. Sometimes, I feel like a superhero, that nothing will stop me. At other times, I feel so low, I want to stop my own existence, because I feel there is no hope, no one with an arm reaching out, and for the ones that are, thank you. But, not all the arms in the world can make me feel better, make me feel like before this ruined me. It's destroyed the fabric of what I call "life", because a life with this, is no life to live.

Condoms? Sometimes when lovers get close they fuck, and even sometimes without condoms. It does not matter if it's your first relationship, or you are a streetwalker, you are at risk for HIV! Even those who are too cautious to read my blog because they think they'll be associated with a disease, people will think they have. This Blog is for supporters as well. I hate the stigma, and all the damn ignorance about it (HIV)! It's no wonder New York is #1 in youth HIV/aids rates in all of America, Florida leading in number #2. Where then fuck is the education? Parents, teaching condom use in school will not increase the chances of your teens fucking! They will do it whether or not they have the knowledge to protect themselves.

Scared?

HIV/AIDS, scary isn't it? Maybe it's not, when you don't know someone who openly has it, maybe it is. Everybody is different. Some people don't care, they think it'll never happen to them. We know it's out there, we may have heard it mentioned once or twice in high school, though, "it's not like twenty years ago", it's still prevalent as ever of an issue to keep alive, as well as the lines of communication about it open. As youth, I think we ignore it, maybe I'm wrong. Especially, once diagnosed, we run away, indulge in denial, live are lives as if nothing detrimental has even occurred, having sexual relations with partners without allowing them the consent to chose whether or not to risk getting infected. We may fall into a heavy drug addiction, if one didn't exist prior, to escape the fear and pain that would otherwise engulf our entire well-being. Why? Why do we run? Why can't we face it, accept it, and deal with it? Why are we scared?