inspirational

[wtfimpoz]

Which pozzies have you found inspirational and why?  My vote goes to Shawn Decker because he's extremely talented and hilarious.  I'd been listening to his band for a while, but hadn't realized that he is poz until after I tested poz.  Honorable mention to the late non-pozzie Martin Delaney, whose life story affirms everything I want to believe about humanity. 

[GSOgymrat]

I won't cite names but there are LTS on here that are inspirational. I'm particularly moved by people who have lost loved ones, gone through terrible medical problems and continue to keep going.

[Hellraiser]

I won't cite names but there are LTS on here that are inspirational. I'm particularly moved by people who have lost loved ones, gone through terrible medical problems and continue to keep going.

Thank you Ford.  I graciously accept your admiration.  You did mean me right?  I need this, dammit.

[tednlou2]

Thank you Ford.  I graciously accept your admiration.  You did mean me right?  I need this, dammit.

Trey, I admire you...as well as others here.  I admire how you seem to be dealing with HIV--unless you're putting on a good show, but I don't think so.  Unless I'm reading you wrong, you seem to have an inner peace that allows you not to freak out about HIV and your health.  I'm trying to learn from all you. 

So, I give many here a shout out on inspirational pozzies.  If you're talking about well-known HIVers, the only one who comes to mind right now is the boy who was infected on purpose by his father as a child and is now a teenager.       

[GSOgymrat]

Thank you Ford.  I graciously accept your admiration.  You did mean me right?  I need this, dammit.

Trey, you may be inspirational in the bedroom, but that is about it.



(kidding)
 

[Inchlingblue]

This is a good thread but my list would be too long, there are so many! I agree about Shawn Decker and Martin Delaney but there are so many others.

Anyone poz who doesn't let HIV get the best of them is inspirational to me.

[Rev. Moon]

Anyone poz who doesn't let HIV get the best of them is inspirational to me.

Well said.

When I grow up I wanna be like them.

[emeraldize]

Anyone poz who doesn't let HIV get the best of them is inspirational to me.

Yes!

[leatherman]

Though both of my long-term partners lost their lives to this disease, I find inspiration from them. Anytime I tell my story (and I do that a lot nowadays as a speaker at events and/or the exhibition booth my ASO sponsors at fairs, festivals, churches, and schools), I have to tell their story too, as they were integral parts of the nearly three decades that I've lived with HIV.

Using the two rings on my finger, I tell the tale of how untested and treated HIV, whether in 1994 or 2008, remains the same deadly disease it always was. I like to believe that every time I pass out condoms, every time I encourage someone to get tested, every time I describe how one can go on living with HIV (from regaining your lost health to even falling in love again), every time I pass out literature that teaches someone about safer sex to avoid acquiring HIV, that every time I can help prevent someone from living the life I have lived or dying the death my partners did, that my partners Randy and Jim get some of the credit as it's their lives I use as examples and warnings.

I desperately miss my guys, and losing them has torn my life asunder; but, as they are gone and for some reason I am still here, I have had to find my inspiration to continue living, not from their deaths, but from their lives and the love we shared. It's knowing how much they loved me and cared for me that gives me the inspiration to continue on every day that dawns without them in my life. Knowing them as well as I do, and knowing their kind hearts, I know that they approve of me using their stories, no make that, OUR stories, to do what I can so that other don't suffer as we have.


I take this picture with me to all the events, rallies, television or newspaper interviews, exhibition booth set ups, and speaking engagements that I attend, so my guys (that's Randy on the left, and Jim on the right) are always there with me.

[bmancanfly]

I'd pick my partner.

He's an LTS of probably more than twenty years.  He went through much of the hell that many of the LTS members here so eloquently recount.  His life was saved when HAART came out like so many others.  His health is far from perfect but he still manages to go to work,  full time,  so that we both can get healthcare coverage through his employer.  Otherwise I'd be up a creek.  And,  unlike me,  he never ever complains about any of it.

Oh yeah,  and he's absolutely adorable with a gigantic ......um ........ heart.      

[BT65]

I like to believe that every time I pass out condoms, every time I encourage someone to get tested, every time I describe how one can go on living with HIV (from regaining your lost health to even falling in love again), every time I pass out literature that teaches someone about safer sex to avoid acquiring HIV, that every time I can help prevent someone from living the life I have lived

So in other words, you most admire, yourself.

[Hellraiser]

So in other words, you most admire, yourself.

You should probably read Tim's post about civility on the forums.

[camille07]

My inspiration comes from a lot of the LTS group.  Many of them are bright stars on this landscape.  They inspire to think about tomorrow and what I can achieve.

 Most importantly, they have taught me that I am not any less of a person despite what others have told me.

[Tim Horn]

So in other words, you most admire, yourself.

Totally uncool and unnecessary. Consider yourself warned.

[texas_stud]

i admire evrybody in these forums for all that theyve gone thru. i think all positive people inspire with there struggles and strength thru adversity.

[Dachshund]

I really admire BT65. She doesn't toot her own horn (not in that way you perverts) so I will. Since joining the forums she has overcome many obstacles. After graduating with honors  from college she couldn't find employment because of her past. A past she had overcome many years ago. No self pity from this woman. She accepted the only job she could find working with the homeless , under less than stellar conditions.

She's working and has been accepted into graduate school. Not bad for a ex-junkie, grandma with aids. This woman walks the walk and I have been inspired by her journey.

[phildinftlaudy]

I really admire BT65. She doesn't toot her own horn (not in that way you perverts) so I will. Since joining the forums she has overcome many obstacles. After graduating with honors  from college she couldn't find employment because of her past. A past she had overcome many years ago. No self pity from this woman. She accepted the only job she could find working with the homeless , under less than stellar conditions.

She's working and has been accepted into graduate school. Not bad for a ex-junkie, grandma with aids. This woman walks the walk and I have been inspired by her journey.

I agree completely with what you said dach --
A humble person doesn't point out how humble they are - (kind of defeats the purpose to do that)
Cheers to you BT65!

[Rev. Moon]

I really admire BT65. She doesn't toot her own horn (not in that way you perverts) so I will. Since joining the forums she has overcome many obstacles. After graduating with honors  from college she couldn't find employment because of her past. A past she had overcome many years ago. No self pity from this woman. She accepted the only job she could find working with the homeless , under less than stellar conditions.

She's working and has been accepted into graduate school. Not bad for a ex-junkie, grandma with aids. This woman walks the walk and I have been inspired by her journey.

Ditto.  She's admired and loved.  She is an inspiration to many.  All that you have to do is look at the women's forum to see what an amazing person she is.

[BT65]

Thanks Dachs, Phil and Rev.   Love to you guys.

[Jeff G]

I have to agree Betty is an inspiration especially for me . If not for her I really do not think I could have found the strength to go on another day , she was there when I needed her and I will always remember and love her for it .

[Granny60]

i admire evrybody in these forums for all that theyve gone thru. i think all positive people inspire with there struggles and strength thru adversity.

Hey stud,  haven't seen you around in a while.  How are you getting along?  Doing good I hope!

[Joe K]

I am inspired by the selfless members here, who monitor various forums and answer each and every question. They do this every day, thousands of times per month and they never waver. They do not do this out of a sense of obligation, but rather because they can. Their inspiration is fueled by their passion to help others, without seeking any personal gain. You cannot get much more inspiring than that.

[anniebc]

I really admire BT65. She doesn't toot her own horn (not in that way you perverts) so I will. Since joining the forums she has overcome many obstacles. After graduating with honors  from college she couldn't find employment because of her past. A past she had overcome many years ago. No self pity from this woman. She accepted the only job she could find working with the homeless , under less than stellar conditions.

She's working and has been accepted into graduate school. Not bad for a ex-junkie, grandma with aids. This woman walks the walk and I have been inspired by her journey.

I agree with the guys here, the Maori's would call her a "Wahine Kaha"..a women of strength.

Hugs
Jan

[skeebo1969]

   In a certain part of Africa Betty would be called ahsomagombia.  It means lovely rose growing in concrete not dried or cured.  I still don't know why they would call her that though.

[Granny60]

think about tomorrow and what I can achieve.
 I am not any less of a person despite what others have told me.

This part deserves 5 stars. It is a lesson everyone deserves to hear over and over!

[WillyWump]

All very good responses.

I'd like to add Ryan White. He was a driving force in starting the change in perception of HIV/AIDS in the 80's. He had strength beyond his years in coping with HIV and stigma in the dark years of the mid 80's. More strength than I could ever muster.

And of course, Betty. Her life story is amazing, and I've personally come to know her as a very caring person.

-Will

[komnaes]

Betty totally has my vote!   

For a public figure I would say jazz musician Fred Hersch, who continues to make wonderful music for the last 2 decades of being HIV+ (I always tell my friends to get a copy of a recent CD called "Leaves of Grass", setting Walt Whitman's most famous poem to a circle of songs).

Another is unfortunately not with us anymore - British director Derek Jarman. He continued to make amazing films despite his diagnosis and worsening physical condition. His last film was made when he was already blind.