A New Start

[JCS19]

A diagnosis of HIV can be devastating; and it brings with it a mix of thoughts and emotions that turn the mind and the heart inside out. Yet in light of one's diagnosis, the human desire to be cherished, loved and supported cannot be extinguished. They are an intrinsic part of being human.

Every person has a desire to experience life’s goodness, with all of its joys and personal accomplishments, shared among family and friends. HIV does not (and should not) have the ability to deprive anyone of these things.

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of reflection and prioritizing the things that matter. It has been a period of adjustment and change, so let it be for the better.

HIV is tricky and can have an overwhelming impact one’s mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. My hope for someone receiving an HIV diagnosis is that they see it as a starting point, not an end point. It has certainly been the start to an important chapter for me.

The joys, successes and happiness of life await each of us, so let us all embrace them!

Written by James C.

[JCS19]

A diagnosis of HIV can be devastating; and it brings with it a mix of thoughts and emotions that turn the mind and the heart inside out. Yet in light of one's diagnosis, the human desire to be cherished, loved and supported cannot be extinguished. They are an intrinsic part of being human.

Every person has a desire to experience life’s goodness, with all of its joys and personal accomplishments, shared among family and friends. HIV does not (and should not) have the ability to deprive anyone of these things.

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of reflection and prioritizing the things that matter. It has been a period of adjustment and change, so let it be for the better.

HIV is tricky and can have an overwhelming impact one’s mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. My hope for someone receiving an HIV diagnosis is that they see it as a starting point, not an end point. It has certainly been the start to an important chapter for me.

The joys, successes and happiness of life await each of us, so let us all embrace them!

Written by James Cotromanes

[JCS19]

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POZ STORIES
A New Chapter
An HIV diagnosis doesn’t mean it’s the end of your story.

December 15, 2020
By James C.
 
 
 
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James C.

Positive since 2007

When you are first diagnosed, it feels like you have been given a life sentence. You feel isolated and alone. You are left within the whirlwind of your thoughts and emotions. It is a mental and emotional roller coaster of coming to terms with the new reality that you have HIV.

Though it can be seen as a life sentence in terms of it being a lifelong medical condition, you remain free. This is one of many chapters in your life, with much of the journey—and its conclusion—still to be written. It is a new chapter and a new beginning—of self-awareness, individual purpose and happiness.

Living with this chronic condition undoubtedly has its calm waters and turbulent storms, but it doesn’t define who you are. On your journey through life, you have the power to chart your course. That being said, turn living with HIV from a perceived weakness into a strength.

Recognize HIV for what it is, but also have the realization that it has brought forth positive change in your life. I know this to be true because I too am HIV positive. With one step at a time forward, let us enjoy this journey together.

Written by James Cotromanes

[JCS19]

When you are first diagnosed, it feels like you have been given a life sentence. You feel isolated and alone. You are left within the whirlwind of your thoughts and emotions. It is a mental and emotional roller coaster of coming to terms with the new reality that you have HIV.

Though it can be seen as a life sentence in terms of it being a lifelong medical condition, you remain free. This is one of many chapters in your life, with much of the journey—and its conclusion—still to be written. It is a new chapter and a new beginning—of self-awareness, individual purpose and happiness.

Living with this chronic condition undoubtedly has its calm waters and turbulent storms, but it doesn’t define who you are. On your journey through life, you have the power to chart your course. That being said, turn living with HIV from a perceived weakness into a strength.

Recognize HIV for what it is, but also have the realization that it has brought forth positive change in your life. I know this to be true because I too am HIV positive. With one step at a time forward, let us enjoy this journey together.

Written by James Cotromanes

[PozChilean]

Hi James:

Thank you for joining us. Before you continue posting, please don't forget to create a new topic introducing yourself (you can see plenty of previous examples in the "Living with HIV" section; that's standard practice for all new members.

[JCS19]

A diagnosis of HIV can be devastating; and it brings with it a mix of thoughts and emotions that turn the mind and the heart inside out. Yet in light of one's diagnosis, the human desire to be cherished, loved and supported cannot be extinguished. They are an intrinsic part of being human.

Every person has a desire to experience life’s goodness, with all of its joys and personal accomplishments, shared among family and friends. HIV does not (and should not) have the ability to deprive anyone of these things.

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of reflection and prioritizing the things that matter. It has been a period of adjustment and change, so let it be for the better.

HIV is tricky and can have an overwhelming impact one’s mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. My hope for someone receiving an HIV diagnosis is that they see it as a starting point, not an end point. It has certainly been the start to an important chapter for me.

The joys, successes and happiness of life await each of us, so let us all embrace them!

Written by James Cotromanes

[JCS19]

A diagnosis of HIV can be devastating; and it brings with it a mix of thoughts and emotions that turn the mind and the heart inside out. Yet in light of one's diagnosis, the human desire to be cherished, loved and supported cannot be extinguished. They are an intrinsic part of being human.

Every person has a desire to experience life’s goodness, with all of its joys and personal accomplishments, shared among family and friends. HIV does not (and should not) have the ability to deprive anyone of these things.

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of reflection and prioritizing the things that matter. It has been a period of adjustment and change, so let it be for the better.

HIV is tricky and can have an overwhelming impact one’s mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. My hope for someone receiving an HIV diagnosis is that they see it as a starting point, not an end point. It has certainly been the start to an important chapter for me.

The joys, successes and happiness of life await each of us, so let us all embrace them!

Written by James Cotromanes

[JCS19]

When you are first diagnosed, it feels like you have been given a life sentence. You feel isolated and alone. You are left within the whirlwind of your thoughts and emotions. It is a mental and emotional roller coaster of coming to terms with the new reality that you have HIV.

Though it can be seen as a life sentence in terms of it being a lifelong medical condition, you remain free. This is one of many chapters in your life, with much of the journey—and its conclusion—still to be written. It is a new chapter and a new beginning—of self-awareness, individual purpose and happiness.

Living with this chronic condition undoubtedly has its calm waters and turbulent storms, but it doesn’t define who you are. On your journey through life, you have the power to chart your course. That being said, turn living with HIV from a perceived weakness into a strength.

Recognize HIV for what it is, but also have the realization that it has brought forth positive change in your life. I know this to be true because I too am HIV positive. With one step at a time forward, let us enjoy this journey together.

Written by James Cotromanes

[JCS19]

When you are first diagnosed, it feels like you have been given a life sentence. You feel isolated and alone. You are left within the whirlwind of your thoughts and emotions. It is a mental and emotional roller coaster of coming to terms with the new reality that you have HIV.

Though it can be seen as a life sentence in terms of it being a lifelong medical condition, you remain free. This is one of many chapters in your life, with much of the journey—and its conclusion—still to be written. It is a new chapter and a new beginning—of self-awareness, individual purpose and happiness.

Living with this chronic condition undoubtedly has its calm waters and turbulent storms, but it doesn’t define who you are. On your journey through life, you have the power to chart your course. That being said, turn living with HIV from a perceived weakness into a strength.

Recognize HIV for what it is, but also have the realization that it has brought forth positive change in your life. I know this to be true because I too am HIV positive. With one step at a time forward, let us enjoy this journey together.

Written by James Cotromanes

[Jim Allen]

@James

Posting this once was more than enough. The mod removed & merged a number of duplicates and kindly requested you open an introduction thread. Today I had to do the same.

We have had two complaints about this already and I'm not going to keep cleaning up after you. So if you ignore the request from the moderator (PozChilean) once more to open an introduction thread or open another duplicate topic it's going to lead to a time out (ban) from the forum.

[JCS19]

A diagnosis of HIV can be devastating; and it brings with it a mix of thoughts and emotions that turn the mind and the heart inside out. Yet in light of one's diagnosis, the human desire to be cherished, loved and supported cannot be extinguished. They are an intrinsic part of being human.

Every person has a desire to experience life’s goodness, with all of its joys and personal accomplishments, shared among family and friends. HIV does not (and should not) have the ability to deprive anyone of these things.

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of reflection and prioritizing the things that matter. It has been a period of adjustment and change, so let it be for the better.

HIV is tricky and can have an overwhelming impact one’s mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. My hope for someone receiving an HIV diagnosis is that they see it as a starting point, not an end point. It has certainly been the start to an important chapter for me.

The joys, successes and happiness of life await each of us, so let us all embrace them!

Written by James Cotromanes

[JCS19]

When you are first diagnosed, it feels like you have been given a life sentence. You feel isolated and alone. You are left within the whirlwind of your thoughts and emotions. It is a mental and emotional roller coaster of coming to terms with the new reality that you have HIV.

Though it can be seen as a life sentence in terms of it being a lifelong medical condition, you remain free. This is one of many chapters in your life, with much of the journey—and its conclusion—still to be written. It is a new chapter and a new beginning—of self-awareness, individual purpose and happiness.

Living with this chronic condition undoubtedly has its calm waters and turbulent storms, but it doesn’t define who you are. On your journey through life, you have the power to chart your course. That being said, turn living with HIV from a perceived weakness into a strength.

Recognize HIV for what it is, but also have the realization that it has brought forth positive change in your life. I know this to be true because I too am HIV positive. With one step at a time forward, let us enjoy this journey together.

Written by James Cotromanes

[Jim Allen]

@JCS19

10 similar posts in multiple threads and ignoring requests & warnings = 7-day ban.

Prehaps you are someone who is newly diagnosed and struggling to digest your diagnosis, if so we are here to help but open an introduction thread in the "I just tested POZ" section and introduce yourself to the forum members. Let us know how are you doing, how the treatment is going etc.

Regarding your posts so far, they seem to be largely a copy-paste from these sources:

https://www.poz.com/article/new-chapter
https://www.positiveeffect.org/stories/james-c

@James

Posting this once was more than enough. The mod removed & merged a number of duplicates and kindly requested you open an introduction thread. Today I had to do the same.

We have had two complaints about this already and I'm not going to keep cleaning up after you. So if you ignore the request from the moderator (PozChilean) once more to open an introduction thread or open another duplicate topic it's going to lead to a time out (ban) from the forum.

[harleymc]

So much useless spam.

[Jim Allen]

I had warned through PM previously, so I removed the final post from today, and the OP was banned.

@OP Not sure what the story is, but I hope you have access to any mental and emotional support you need.