Another National HIV/AIDS Aging Awareness Day (September 18, officially) is here and, alas, I am one year closer to age 50. These days my overall health is on the front burner in a way that it hasn’t been since I started on HIV medications at age 23. It’s not that my...
Shawn Decker
Absurd Bleeds Related To Living With Hemophilia
My latest musings on Rare Disease about some of the unforgettable bumps and bruises that have occurred as a result of hemophilia. I really love that there is an illustration for each of the three horror/humor stories! https://raredisease.net/living/absurd-mishaps...
Brain Drain, ADHD And HIV
For a long time one of my biggest fears about living with HIV has been the effects on the brain. Several years ago I leaned into that, which unexpectedly led to a diagnosis of ADHD after some testing. It's understandable how something like Attention Deficit Disorder...
The Back-To-School Special About Disclosure
With school starting up again, I decided to take the opportunity to discuss one of the biggest hurdles for people living with HIV: disclosure. For many years, I never thought I'd even openly discuss HIV. I'm thankful that, when I was ready, I was in a safe space to do...
Dedicated To Garth McMurray
Had a ton of fun writing my recent article for Rare Disease, inspired by the What If series of Marvel comics. https://raredisease.net/living/what-if I'm retroactively dedicating this one to Garth McMurray. Garth was avid comic book fan and artist that we recently...
Some Of My Life Essentials As A HIV Longterm Survivor
There are a lot of factors as to why I'm able to live the life I am today. Part of being a longterm survivor, for me, is gratitude and understanding of the safety nets I had (supportive family, safe roof over my head, etc) growing up. I was fortunate that, by the time...
My Top 5 POZ Magazine Blog Posts of 2022
I have had very active blogging fingers. The last year certainly gave me a lot to write about. Most significantly, the passing of my mom... and her messages to me from beyond the grave (which I'm still, and will always be, receiving). I also gave some flowers to one...
My Rare Disease Journey With Hemophilia
Most of my "medical resume" musings from the patient perspective have been about living with HIV. That's why I am excited to be contributing to RareDisease.Net, where I'll be sharing thoughts on a lifetime of lessons living with a bleeding disorder (Hemophilia A). My...
Traveling During COVID
This month I got on a plane for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started. In the twenty-four years since we've been together, this is the longest stretch that Gwenn and I have been "grounded". And I was okay with it. Okay with being grounded for a bit. Okay...
A Loving Look Back On Our Wedding Day
It’s been 18 years since Gwenn and I got married. We’ve now spent half our lives together. I’m so thankful for her love and my entire, beautiful journey.