Positive And Living (PAL)

Information

This group allows those who are HIV Positive a space to encourage one another, share stories, and help each other overcome the obstacles we face each day just living. This is also a place for those who are HIV negative wanting to understand more.

Location: http://unityfellowshipchurch.ning.com/group/positive
Members: 15
Latest Activity: Dec. 11, 2009

Welcome to Postive and Living!

I just wanted to take a few moments and thank you for visiting Positive and Living. I pray that something you read or see help either bring you to a better understanding of HIV/AIDS and/or give you encouragement for living with the virus, managing it and not having it managed you.

In the summer of 2004, right before the Fourth of July Holiday, I would take all the medication you could think of from over the counter but nothing would get rid of the headaches I was having. The mere sunlight coming through my bedroom curtains in the morning would be more than I could bear. There were even a few instances where I even fell out of my bed getting up. After a couple of weeks of this, I went to see my doctor and he didn't know what was wrong either after routine test didn't show him much. Me being afraid at this point was taking to the emergency room where I was diagnosed with criptoccocus, a bacteria infection of the brain also know as spinal miningitis and then tested for HIV and the results ironically were negative. Nevertheless, I stayed in the hospital for an entire week. The longest seven days of my life. It was later that my test showed that I was actually HIV positive and my treatement began from there.

I never expected pitty from anyone. And at first I felt ashamed that I had contracted the virus. I was afraid that my friends would not stay around me and that my employment could be affected.

Today I no longer have those fears. I know that I don't have anyone to please or satisfy but God. I live a productive life by doing my part to contribute to society. I encourage others to live in their truth and not worry about how people are going to act towards them or what they will say. We are as good as our word. Let's be more honest with one another.

Also I want to say to my HIV positive people, we have to remember to take care of ourselves by eating healthy, taking our medications regularly, drinking a lot of water, and getting plenty of physical and spiritual exercize. Its too many of us out there not taking care of ourselves. Not taking our medication everyday.

I encourage my HIV negative brothers and sisters to stay that way. Get tested and know your status. Its important that we do this, if we truly want to save ourselves.

Love,
Christopher Abram
UFCC Riverside

Discussion Forum

HIV Positive Male Retreat Planning Committee 4 Replies

Started by Christopher Abram. Last reply by Christopher Abram Aug. 4, 2009.

Dating: When do you say, "I'm Positive?" 5 Replies

Started by Christopher Abram. Last reply by Anthony Lockett-Larsen Sep. 17, 2008.

How is your diet? What can you do to protect yourself? 1 Reply

Started by Christopher Abram. Last reply by Kevin Johnson Aug. 28, 2008.

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of Positive And Living (PAL) to add comments!

Comment by Charlene Arcila on December 10, 2009 at 10:00pm: Thanks for allowing me to join the group; as a 26 year survivor and growing believer of the Spirit, I am pleased that there is a place to be able to express one self and find healness. I believe strongly in the parable of the woman with the 12 issues of blood and her faith making her whole. What does whole mean to you? I am not cured of the disease however I have found healing in the love of God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I am no longer killing myself out of fear, anger and rage; yet, I am living life to the fullest and not allowing AIDS to dictate my life.

Comment by Rev. Robert Arrington on June 26, 2009 at 5:37pm: I am so bless to be here with HIV living with me for 21 years. My HIV and childhood illness is the reason I am the Man of God I am and I am example of what God can use and do. My HIV Brother and Sister , we can live and God can use all, as God use me. Keep the faith and let Jesus be part of your spiritual healing.
Reverend Robert Assistant Pastor of TPUFC of Rochester NY

Comment by Black Dove on April 24, 2009 at 12:41am: Fam. check out my Sermon http://unityfellowshipchurch.ning.com/profiles/blogs/sermon-what-to-do-with-the

Comment by Rev. Gerald Green on April 2, 2009 at 11:28pm: This is a great group. It gives us an opprotunity to share our lives. I am apart of you, thus you all are apart of me. Women and men alike. What support systems can we put it place to be there for one another more?

Comment by Black Dove on March 26, 2009 at 12:20am: Anyone here in the Rochester, NY Church? I'm considering a job offer in ROC and wanted to get some feedback on the area.

Comment by Christopher Abram on January 31, 2009 at 2:07pm: Good question Carlos....I think its a good topic of discussion.

Comment by CARLOS CARTER on January 21, 2009 at 6:29pm: Hello my Bretheren and happy new year.
Let me start off the new year with a question in the realms of dating.
If negative, would you have trouble with or date a pozitive man/woman?
and If pozitive, would you have trouble with or date a negative status man/woman? This question comes up all the time in my Poz support groups and someone in the movement wants to maybe do a workshop on it at mid year or convacation this year. What do you think? Personally, I have dated pozitive and negative people and i truly have no problem with it. Only one had a problem with me being poz. I no longer date him and I wish him well. I go by the cred Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of in his "I have a dream" speech how we should judge a man or woman, by the content of their character, (and i'll improvise here) "and not by the diagnosis of their status". Can we handle long term relationships with someone who doesn't share the same poz or neg status as we? What do you think? meanwhile, be blessed.

Comment by Christopher Abram on December 20, 2008 at 3:32pm: Greetings Tillman...I have been away from this arena for quite some time. Dealing with my own mountains and valleys. However I agree that the image of HIV has to change. I think that we could do a lot better as people of color in educating ourselves and our communities and opening the eyes of our youth that this illness is not fun.

Comment by CARLOS CARTER on September 9, 2008 at 9:05pm: Hi fellas,
I am a member with Unity Fellowship in Philly. I also facilatate it's Hiv/Aids support ministry. I want to ask a question to you guys.
Is the stigma of having HIV or AIDS still prevelent in our communites to the point that people still just don't want to talk about it? I should know this answer, right? Yes! So why is that?
I have a problem getting anyone in one of our Hiv meetings. Even some church memebers that was excited about having the ministry. Outside the church I also volunteer as a support system for others living with HIV. But, even with the rising numbers in african american men contracting the virus, I still don't understand why we are not talking about it with each other or at all. What do you think. How is it in your communities? There are so many people out there living with the virus that still just don't want to talk about it, and that's there right, don't get me wrong, but, why is it still so hard to talk about it. Hiv and Aids still has that dirty little stigma drapped around it and for some reason society and us individually won't let it go. Keep me in prayer to stand strong in this journey God has me on to aid those wanting to release themselves from the chains of shame and self hate and guilt.
All things in time, I know, Life is truly a daily process we live to compute. Selah!