Reflections on my life, World AIDS Day 2016

I MAY HAVE HIV but HIV will NEVER have me!!

David Moorman

12/01/2016 

________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

As I sit here today reflecting on what “World AIDS Day” means to me, I try to remember what my life was like before HIV entered the picture, and I find it hard to remember. I know it has only been 8 years since I was diagnosed with HIV but it seems like a lifetime when I think of all the changes that have occurred in my life. I remember working all the time, being stressed out because I always wanted to be the best I could so I could get a good raise a work. I remember it seemed I never had time to enjoy life because work took up so much time. Now I have 24 hours a day 7 days a week to live and love and enjoy life. Sure, I am not able to do all things I could do 8 years ago, but I will not let that keep me from enjoying life.

Today, I reflect on family, one member in particular that I really liked as a kid. My Great-Uncle Charles Ray, my Grandmothers younger brother. I thought he was so funny and smart and I admired him for coming out and being who he really was. Then one day we learned that Uncle Charles was sick. Yes, my Grandmothers younger brother had come down with that dreaded “Gay Disease” that we all KNOW IS NOT a “Gay Disease”, but being from a Pentecostal Family anything can be used against you if you are LGBTQ. Anyway the day came that my Grandmother’s brother passed on from this life. 

I remember when my Grandmother found out that I was gay; she made me promise her I would never get that horrible disease her brother had died from. Well, for years I kept that promise to my Grandmother and kept myself safe. Well that is until about 8 years ago when I thought I wanted to be single again and broke up with my long time partner. It was only a short 3 month break up, but I did not exercise good judgment during those 3 months and ended up contracting HIV. Feel free to read about my journey living with HIV starting here in this blog post, Love and Understanding.

I would NOT give up one day I have had living with HIV so far, because it is taught me to love life MORE and RESPECT life MORE. I have also learned to love others MORE. You begin to see life through a new pair of eyes when you are given the news of a sickness you will live with the rest of your life. I could have given up like so many I have known. I could have went out and drank myself into an early grave or even went out and let drugs consume my life, but NO, I chose the day I found out, May 28, 2009, to LIVE and NOT DIE. I gave up smoking with I really enjoyed. I gave up drinking which I really enjoyed. I decided that if I was going to FIGHT I needed to be strong enough to fight.

I have been blessed with a WONDERFUL Partner who has stood beside me and NOT given up on me. I have wonderful parents who love me, respect me and pray for me every day. I have a wonderful support group of online friends and offline that keep me going. 

                                          Scott Freeman {HIV Negative} & David Moorman {8 years HIV POZ}

On this World AIDS Day, December 1, 2016 I will declare for the entire world to hear that

 

I MAY HAVE HIV but HIV will NEVER have me!!

Please remember to do this one thing my friends, ALWAYS RESPECT YOURSELF ENOUGH TO PROTECT YOURSELF!!! HIV/AIDS is REAL and it DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE!!!

Have a blessed and inspiring day,

David Moorman