An unexpected turn of events happens, turning your life upside down.
The turn of events being, you receive news from a stranger that, You Are HIV Positive!
Well, yeah thats my story.
Kindel Media
It really happened like that.
Hi, Im JohneriO Scott, and I am still NOT HIV!
I was on the verge of starting my independent life.
Still trying to figure out what I really wanted to do.
One day I woke up with mosquito-looking bites on my legs.
But this time, I didnt know what was going on.
They were talking about night sweats (I had that).
They were talking about breakouts on your body (hmmmm, I think I have that).
And then they asked the question, Have you had an HIV test?
After seeing that ad I decided to take a trip to the clinic and get tested.
So I went to the clinic the next morning.
No appointment, just walked in.
When I got brought back, the tester administered the finger stick.
After about a minute, my life changed forever.
The tester looked at me and said Your test is positive for HIV.
At that moment I thought the tester was making a joke so I laughed and asked Really?
With no hesitation he responded yes and that he was going to give me some time to myself.
As he walked out of the room, I immediately began thinking that I was going to die.
(Yes, it happened that quickly.)
As I approached the door to the doctors office my partner texted me, Are you okay?
and I responded, Yes, its just taking a little longer.
He responded, No.
For the first three months, I didnt know what to do.
I lost my appetite, was constantly stressed, and waiting to die.
Eight years later and counting, I am still NOT HIV and living my best life.
Growing up I didnt hear much about HIV or sex.
All I ever heard was to use condoms or dont have sex at all.
Those are the conversations I should have heard growing up from family members or sex-ed teachers.
Contracting HIV taught me strength I didnt know I had.
My relationship with my partner at the time didnt last.
I didnt have the urge for sex.
If I can tell anyone living with HIV one thing, it is tokeep going.
Life is just beginning for you.
The stigma on HIV is false andyou are not alone.
