Your Life is Worth It

I discovered I was HIV positive during a routine medical screening when I was incarcerated. That news hit me hard – really hard. I had never seriously considered this could happen to me. Looking back, I hadn’t been taking care of myself for years before and sometimes you must get knocked before you can truly stand up. After my release, I fell into substance use. It was my way of avoiding reality, of not dealing with my diagnosis. But life has a way of presenting opportunities when you least expect them. I found my way to an agency that helped me and that’s where my real journey began.

Learning to take my medication daily was one of my biggest challenges. It sounds simple, right? Just take a pill. But when you’re dealing with trauma and adjusting to a new reality, even simple things can feel overwhelming. Through therapy, I started to understand my ‘why’ – why I needed to change, why I deserved better, why my life mattered. That was a game-changer for me. The wrap-around support I received made all the difference. It wasn’t just about treating HIV – it was about treating the whole person. From housing assistance to counseling, from medication management to job support, every piece worked together to help me rebuild my life.

Today, I’m proud to say I’ve completed a program. I’ve got my own place now – stable housing was a huge win for me. I’m working two jobs, and you know what? I love the structure and purpose that it brings to my life. I take my medication daily; my medical appointments are marked on my calendar like important meetings, because that’s exactly what they are – they’re appointments for my future self. To anyone out there who’s just received their diagnosis, especially my brothers who might be dealing with this in their 50s or later – it’s not over. This isn’t the end of your story; it’s just a new chapter. With the right support and determination, you can rebuild your life. I’m living proof of that. If I can do it – a man who had to start over from behind prison walls – then you can too. The key is to reach out for help and then do the work. Every single day, I do the work. Your life is worth it.