Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 29, 2024, 02:37:39 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
  • Total Members: 37614
  • Latest: bondann
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772947
  • Total Topics: 66310
  • Online Today: 741
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 649
Total: 649

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Depressed  (Read 4237 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline LiveWithIt

  • Member
  • Posts: 535
Depressed
« on: July 26, 2009, 11:51:30 pm »
I have always been a loner, but HIV has made me one more so.  I moved to Florida about a year ago.  I had no friends where I moved from and I have no friends now.  I don't even know if I know how to be a friend anymore.  I'm actually very happy in Florida because I love the warm winters and I love being in a gay friendly area, near Fort Lauderdale.

I'm on disability and I need to find part time work, but it will be very hard because it needs to be off the books so that I do not lose my SSD and my Medicare benefits for my meds. It's so hard cold calling places and then if they are interested you have to ask if they can pay you under the table.

I was diagnosed 13 years ago, due to an illness.  I have been very lucky to never have to have been admitted to the hospital at due to HIV.
Pray God you can cope
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.

Offline BT65

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 10,786
Re: Depressed
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2009, 06:30:36 am »
Live, have you ever contacted your nearest ASO (Aids Service Organization)?  They may be able to put  you in touch with a support group, where you could make new friends.

About working part-time....you can make up to $980/month on social security.  I know it means you may get reviewed more often than if you didn't work, but that doesn't mean they're going to cut you off.  You just have to be careful to stay under that $980. 

Good luck.
  Luv,
Betty
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Condom and Lube Info https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/safer-sex
Please check out our lessons on PEP and PrEP. https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/pep-prep

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/treatmentasprevention-tasp

Offline Joe K

  • Standard
  • Member
  • Posts: 5,821
  • 31 Years Poz
Re: Depressed
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2009, 12:16:01 pm »
Hello Live,

I just moved from Ft. Lauderdale, so let me give you a little guidance on the area.  The Gay and Lesbian Center has tons of resources, including the Stonewall Library (which is incredible) and they have many HIV support groups, particularly one called Positive Attitudes.  It's a group of great poz gay men and its sole purpose is to help people meet others, do things and have a place to feel safe.  Ask to speak to either Nate or Grover and they can help you find all the resources you may need.  (If you do, tell them Joe and Stephen say Hi.)

Another great option is the S. Florida HIV Social Group, which is just what it says.  They plan pool parties, bowling, dinners, lunches, trips to the beach, or whatever the group decides it wants to do.  The entire premise of the group is that you are poz, not dead, and sitting home alone won't help anything.  Many of the members of PA also belong to the Social group and there is a huge HIV population in S. Florida.

There is also the Povorello Food Bank that helps with food, nutritionists and even personal trainers for the community supported HIV gym across the street.  They also run a second hand store, that is great and always has something good for a great price.  They can also direct you to other resources you may need.

Lastly, you live in S. Florida, so start enjoying the scenery.  Some of the great bars and restaurants include Georgie's Alibi, Ruby's, and the Jackhammer has a disco t-dance every Sunday and it is packed.  If you like leather there is the Jackhammer, Ramrod and a new bar, where the Eagle once stood (sigh).  Pick up one of the gay rags and look through the bars and you will find something that you like.

The best places to meet guys are at the Publix at 5 points (Wilton Manors) and Georgie's on the weekend, Jackhammer on Sunday and any weekend at the Ramrod.  There are many great dance bars and a great local bar, called Bill's Filling Station.  The patrons there are great, very down to earth and friendly.  It's big, has an outside patio and they are a huge sponsor, as are all the gay establishments of the gay community.

For work, I would approach Povorello and see if they can help, otherwise, try the Ramrod or Jackhammer, but forget Georgie's as they only hire "pretty boys".  Get out and meet some people and you will find that there are many options, like a day laborer, to make cash. 

Please get out of the house, because there are so many wonderful people in that town and many of them are our friends and they are all poz, share our same hopes and dreams and are happy to welcome someone new to the group.

Offline LiveWithIt

  • Member
  • Posts: 535
Re: Depressed
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2009, 05:36:01 pm »
Thanks for both your replies.   I guess I am feeling sorry for myself right now.  I have gone to a few places here in south Florida and will try to go to a few more.
Pray God you can cope
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.

Offline Dennis

  • Member
  • Posts: 781
Re: Depressed
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2009, 11:56:31 pm »
Joe,

Boy, you've been away from Ft. Lauderdale for a while. Bill's relocated. They are now across the street from Georgie's Alibi. They took over a restaurant that used to be there. Forget the name. Used to have good prime rib. The Jackhammer closed this year. However they moved their t-dance to Boom, located in the same complex as Georgie's and Poverello.

LiveWithIt,

I also live in Fort Lauderdale. Feel free to pm me if you need help locating a resource or have any general questions.

Dennis

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.