To all who are living with this awful disease, and who have a positive attitude and "yes I can!" way of thinking, I want to say CONGRATULATIONS!

That is exactly the attitude all of us that are HIV positive must have to live as normal a life as we can--or whatever your "normal" is.  I found out my HIV status on my birthday in 2000. I was very sick, and since it was the first time I had ever been tested, my illness had progressed to an AIDS diagnosis. My prognosis at the time was two years at most. Obviously, I beat that prediction, and I am happy to say that I am healthier than I have ever been in my life. I was able to deal with my addictions, and have been clean and sober since that day in 2000.

I think the most amazing thing for me is that I have used my illness in a very postive way--no pun intended! I am now an HIV/AIDS speaker in schools. I talk wherever they ask me, or let me, on HIV/AIDS prevention. In addition to being the president of VAIN, I am currently the community co-chair for Oregon's Statewide HIV Prevention Planning Group (SPG). I have been to Washington DC representing our HIV+ folks here in Oregon, asking our congresspersons and senators to approve more money for treatment and care. What a thrill that is for me--just to have the courage, not to mention the energy--to do all this.

I am very thankful for all the help and support I have received from friends, family, and even strangers. We all need that. We are the same people we were before we became infected with HIV. In my case, I think I became a better person--not that I was bad before.

I believe we are here for a reason. So many of us have many crossed-out names in our address books, because friends have died of this disease. But we are still here, and we still have a job to do. Everyone needs a purpose, a mission in life. Whatever you choose to do with the rest of your life, whether you are infected with HIV or not, you have options: you are living.

We are the lucky ones. Remember, this is a journey. For some of us, maybe not the one we would have chosen, but it is ours, and it is up to us to make the most of it.

Take care of yourselves. Be kind to yourselves. Most of all, love yourselves.

Bob S.

President of VAIN