A few months ago I was curious about how many days I’ve been diagnosed with HIV. I did the math, starting at my diagnosis in March of 1987. Turned out that this July marks roughly 10,000 days since a test result sent shockwaves through not only my family but my community in Waynesboro, Virginia, as well. I was a scared kid at that time. I just wanted to ignore the bad news.
I didn’t know my prognosis then- which was that the best case scenario saw me living another four years, to my 16th birthday.
Today, as of this post I am two days shy of my 39th birthday. And I’m not ignoring the news- tonight I’m actually speaking to a local news outlet (WHSV) and my experiences living with HIV. That kid who got diagnosed so many years ago could have imagined surviving- but would have never been able to see himself living openly with HIV.
So this summer is special. I’m really enjoying it. And I’m sure, if the fates allow, that I could make it to a 20,000 Days of HIV Summer in 2041… though, I’m thinking that by then they’ll have long since figured out a scientific solution for HIV as well as many of the other medical issues that affect us.
No matter what the future holds- I’m ready. And I’m happy as hell to be here.
Positively Yours,
Shawn