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Tell me. Who are for you the folks who help you to get through!
Zeb
Disclosed to my immediate family in the early years of diagnosis (1989). That helped tremendously with the isolation factor. Since 1994, my partner, Jeff & family members. Oh, yeah, can't forget to honor my doc. His level of knowledge, his personality and demeanor have made it an easier experience. These past 17 years have been the easy ones. I didn't know it back then but it ended up being trouble free (just a glitch now and again).
For you, Zeb, you deal with pressures that I would not encounter in my life experience. The kids. The very aged parents. The stigma -- well, it exist everywhere, my friend. Do not fool yourself on that one. I did fear for my job at one point and had to never say a word about my status to anyone else but immediate family.
I would like to point out something I have noticed in the last few weeks. Your postings are getting more and more positive in tone and content. This board has been a help to you which is fantastic in itself, I think.
xxx,
Mike
P.S. I forgot to comment on the celebreties. When they disclose it helps us out as it chips away at societys' close-minded attitudes about HIV and AIDS. Apart from that blanket benefit of their disclosure I do not consider them to be HEROS. Before those people disclose their status they weight their options very carefully and know that their immediate support system/factors will not change much if the disclosure is not favorably accepted. Because they are celebs nobody seems to have a big impact on the style of life to which they have grown accustomed. They help much, don't get me wrong on this.
HERO status EQUALS RYAN WHITE and those like HARVEY MILK (who was murdered and didn't die of AIDS).