My Message to the Newly Diagnosed

I wanted to wish you all Happy and Healthy New Year. I have some big plans for the upcoming year, I know 2011 will be an amazing year for POZIAM and I hope for all of you too. I know 2010 was exciting at times and a struggle at times myself. I started off 2010 just starting to take HIV medications and ended it with me getting engaged. So the last year was a roller coaster of sorts.


If you are just recently newly diagnosed I am sure going into the new year you are confused and are going through a lot of emotions while you make this transition. Learning how to love myself again after my diagnosis was very difficult for me. It took me almost 5 years to see that I was still me just with HIV. The process is different for everyone. Some come to terms sooner then it took me and some later. It may be a bumpy ride but this is a journey you don't need to take alone. If you haven't had an HIV test in some time .. a good New Years resolution may be to get tested.

If your newly diagnosed or living with HIV, I  wanted to personally invite you to join the POZIAM network and find others in the same boat. There are many different people who make up the POZIAM network. We have some who join POZIAM to find support and build new friendships while others join to offer support and friendship. So don't be shy. POZIAMers are here for you if you have questions or just need to vent. The POZIAM network is a judge free zone. Once you become comfortable in your own skin again, you will realize that you are still you. The shock of your diagnosis will lessen. You will come to terms with it and realize you can do more then live with HIV you can Thrive with HIV. 

I wanted to leave you all entering 2011 with this message...

 Newly Diagnosed Men

 Newly Diagnosed Women