Share your Inspiration!

[med forum]

Hi everyone

I was just thinking about this as I was reading some posts.....What is the most inspirational story you have ever heard
in regards to overcoming fear, seclusion, negative thoughts, stigma, depression? It may not even be a story or person you've known....
it may be an inspirational quote or story that you yourself have lived through.

OR

Who is or who has been one of the most influential people to you? Why?

I have come across some really great comments from people here in the forums and would love to hear more inspirational and uplifting stories.
Who knows.....maybe one of these stories may change another person's perspective on their own situation or circumstances.

Thank you in advance for sharing!

[BT65]

Um, o.k.  I know I responded to this in the Living With forum. 

[riverlassie]

Well I  have been living pos for 20 years now. And the key word is lLIVING. it has actually shown me how to appreciate life to it's fullest. Things which I would see as lifes problems and now just minor nuiances. I've gone through 3 of the 4 phases of this so called illness. First being a freaked out suicide like run. I wasn't surprized due to my life of running high. The next stage wanting to learn all I could till it just hurt my brain. and now where it has tough me that it can actually be a blessing in disguise. Sound strange? But its true. Lifes colors are brighter. Greens are greener, yellows brighter. It is not a death sentence. It is a tool which enables me to reach out to others . To show them that this is actually a moment where LIFE BEGINS. So if your just beginning to experience the phases , be strong. For what lies ahead of you can be a wonderful life. Embrace it, cherish it and share it with others. It is in the giving that we recieve.

[BT65]

Hi Riverlassie, I've looked over your previous posts, and see this is the first time you've posted in the women's forum.  Let me say welcome to you and hope to hear more.

I'll say it:  My inspiration has been my bff.  She was a desperate heroin addict.  She came into recovery, was diagnosed with Hep C, went onto get her master's degree in counseling while being a single mother, and has become one of the most respected therapists in this town.

[ubotts]

HI ..

I have been positive for 23 yrs....Starting taking meds 8 yrs ago.
Just do alot of positive thinking, go about your daily routine and live for today..

I thank god each day that I can see hear walk talk appreciate mother nature and the
disease does not get in the way at all..

Put the hiv on the back shelve and just think of yourself as you did before you got
hiv...

I know its easier said than done, but hey,, it works for me..

[keepingfaith]

****Testing Meez*****

[netta]

Not being vain. But my inspiration is myself. With Gods help I have overcome so much shit. From being raped at age four,  surviving a disfunctional childhood, domestic violence, and living with this illness for 20 plus years and depression. I only keep going with Gods grace and mercy. I have learned to believe in myself.

[tendai]

netta - wow

my role model is a zimbabwean woman called Tendayi Westerhoff.  She is an HIV+ AIDS activist, former wife of our national soccer team team Clemens Westerhoff, former model and owner of modelling agency.  To look at her, her beauty - she's always perfectly grromed, her confidence, her openness with her status. i'd want to be like her if i werent so shy

[Veritee]

It is early days for me

But so far my inspiration has been the strong, positve and proactive women I have met online.
And in the last week the only two other women with HIV I have ever met in person.

So my Inspiration is other women with HIV

I have met so many wonderful women online - especialy and mostly here.
However it was really great to meet two HIV Poz women face to face this week and to find.............

Both were so strong, so emotionally positive and determined not to let this thing beat them or stop them leading the life they choose, both were over 50 - one in fact 60 years old, both looked great - my daughter remarked that they both looked much younger and fitter than me and they looked in their 40s!!!!!!  and I am 55, and one of those women is 60 ans she looked really good.

They are both physically very fit and healthy and have energy ( I have lacked energy I realise now since seroconversion and have just not felt 'right' although I did not know it was that then)  Both work, one full time in a very pressured job one still has children at home and is the breadwinner, both lead busy lives and they can cope with it all

Both have had a much harder time with HIV than I have ever have, so far which included:

illness, lost loved ones, financial difficulties, housing difficulties, bad side effects from earlier drugs, abusive partners, loneliness, discrimination from those they told and communities  ( they did not both suffer all this, I just listing  the sorts of things they had gone through)

Yet they are still positive in their attitude

You all give me hope here and those women I have now met face to face have reinforced this hope and insparation.

They give me hope that once my meds are sorted out that perhaps I wil feel better, have more energy and get back some of the fitness and health I used to have and live well like they are

Veritee XX

[TreDai]

My Inspiration is a woman i have see as a Queen.I have known her for all of my life. She has battled HIV for 6 years without ever complaining let alone letting her children,friends and family know what she has been fighting for the last 6 years. This Queen  has always had much humbleness,strength and grace at all times and smiles no matter what happens. When I think I cannot go on she finds a why to push me further no matter how she is feeling at the time.She always has a song in her heart even when she was hospitalized she was singing in the ER and praising God for being so good to her even when it looked like time was at it's darkest for her! I want to be Like this Queen!! She inspires me to live my life the way the Lord wants me to and sets a good example for me to achieve it.

[Victory101]

Wow, very inspiring stories. I especially liked Veritees description of the two ladies. My inspiration has got to be my two kids. They are still so young, and give me so much joy. I am in no hurry to leave them.  At my lowest points, I always pick myself up because of them. I want to do so much with and for them. Having faith in a living God also helps.

[med forum]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.....I logged on this morning after not being on the boards for a while
and noticed that my thread was at the top.....I need to go back and read what everyone has written because
this last week has been a rough one for my boyfriend and I.......there's plenty of days when you just feel like
no matter what you do, it doesn't matter. Reading or hearing a good word may help me this morning....

I would love to hear more stories of inspiration and gratitude!

[med forum]

I thought I would resurrect this post....I've really been down lately and would love to hear more inspirational stories. Please share yours!

[BT65]

Med, I know I shared a little bit about me.  I just wanted you to know I hope you get to feeling up a bit.

[camille07]

Hello-  What a nice thread.

My parents, especially my mom, are my greatest inspiration.  My father, as a child, was sent to live with his aunt because his mother couldn't afford to take care of both him and his brother after their father left them.  My mother was a single child whose mom was a nurse and terribly cruel.  Her father was a man left to watch her at night, which usually meaning her waiting in the car for hours as he was at the bar.  Even in the dead of winter with no heat.  My parents married and had 3 kids.  Both of them, working hard to support us.   I grew up with little drama in the house compared to many. My father adopted his younger brother (he is a year older than I) from his mom's second marriage after his parents both died.  So there were 4 kids in the house. My parents have always been loving and generous role models. They love each other greatly and have remained faithful partners through all the trials and tribulations in life. 

When I was diagnosed and disclosed, there was a short period of pain.  But a short time ago, when I was struggling mentally my folks really made me feel that I would get through this.  I asked my mom "are you ashamed of me"....and my mother grabbed my hands  and said we love you so much.  And my mom in her empowering  voice said, "as far as Hiv, we don't look at you any differently. You know we love unconditionally and what we see is a beautiful, intelligent, sweet girl who is capable of anything and achieving anything. 

I just think, gosh, I am so blessed.

Camms

[shotis]

My greatest inspiration to me is my friend's six year old daughter who is HIV+, she is full of life and when I am about to give up on myself I think of the life this little girl exhibits; I encouraged by her  to get on with my own life.  The other inspiration is my own achievements, am looking for a job after completing a three year degree course.  having said this all you women have been inspirational in my life, all your positive stories and experiences have kept me sane for the last three years.  Please give yourselves a pat at the back for the wonderful things that you have done and yet to do to others who always look forward to reading and sharing further their stories.  You have been and always will be inspirational to me ladies... Thank you for the strength you have given me to continue living a happy life.