HIV Stigma

As I was doing my everynight routine of watching random youtube documentaries. One of my friend who happens to know my status sent me this link about a topic whom he think i should respond. 

It goes, "I dont want to date an HIV positive guy". You can read the whole article in this link:  http://www.thegailygrind.com/2015/10/14/i-dont-want-to-date-an-hiv-positive-guy-tyler-curry-brilliantly-responds-to-hiv-stigma/

Today, not only was I upset because of some volleyball game my favorite team has not won in the last 3 games yet. But also because of some Presidential Candidates come 2016 here in the Philippines who have become stupid enough to even consider having a position in the government. Its when you think that University elections are more serious than our national election. 

But anyway. Regarding this article. I can't help but nod as i read the response of Tyler Curry. But I soon reached the comments from the readers that made me upset even more. 

People still don't see us beyond our condition. They see as a walking bomb. Or like a threat to society that must be put to death. Which we already are. 

The stigma is REAL. The discrimination is REAL. The judgement of people is REAL. 

But being accepted in the society i live in right now is kind of less of my concern. My family is influencial. I consider myself infulencial. As braggy as it sounds. I dont feel inferior about how I live because I know I am living a good life and im still working my ass off to even become better in terms of financial stability and net worth. 

But at some point. At the back of my mind. What if people knew about my status. Would I still be the same person? Would they still look up to my family's reputation? 

Deep within me. I know I am still who I am. With or without hiv. It does not define me. It even made me a stronger person. 

I have long disregarded the idea of being in a relationship. One big factor is of course my status of having HIV. 

No matter how well I do in some aspects of life. If the person ill be dating with does not want to date someone with hiv. I cannot do anything about it. I cannot change it. 

But the more I feel rejected. The more I become strong and determined to reach all my goals. 

I guess it all boils down to the choices we make. 

I can choose to be depressed all day for the rest of my life knowing I have HIV. Or live my life to the fullest and enjoy everything life has to offer. Including its adversities. 

You surely can't please anyone. Everyone now a days will always have something to say about anything. Even if they know nothing about it. Thats the power of social media and how people over use the irony of "freedom of speech". 

As what Charles Swindoll said in one of his books "Life is just 10%. 90% is how you respond to it" 

-Z