- Stop, Close your eyes, and Breathe.
It is all
right to feel scared. Just don't let that fear take
over the reality that HIV is now considered a manageable disease. It's not what it used to be. People are living a normal life span.
Stop and breathe.
- Focus on the Present.
At this time, your imagination can be your worst
enemy.
The anxiety of what can happen or the fear or making any long-term
plans can be considerable. Try to focus on today.
- Forgive Yourself
You might be angry at yourself or with the person
who gave you HIV. Acting on anger in any form leads to no
good.
To deal with this, first, FORGIVE YOURSELF. The past will
never change. Accept it and move on. Once you can forgive
yourself, you are in a much better position to forgive others.
- You are unique.
Forget the stories you have heard and the movies
you have seen. Make HIV your own experience. Don't
give up on yourself because of what happened to someone else. Live
day by day in the present.
- Find a doctor.
Don't be afraid or embarrassed to talk to your doctor.
The sooner you are under medical care the sooner you can control
the HIV in your system.
- Don't live in denial.
You have HIV. You have the potential to live
a long and peaceful life if you deal with having HIV now. Don't
let your ego, pride or fear deny you the life you deserve.
- Understand HIV.
The information is out there for you to find and
process at your own rate. Click here for listing of
HIV resources here in San Francisco.
- Reach out to Others.
We all have support networks. They come in
different forms for each person. They can be your family, friends,
therapist or doctor. They can also be strangers who may be
in a similar situation or someone from a local AIDS service agency. You
are not alone.
- Think of making some lifestyle changes.
You canÕt have a peaceful existence with HIV
without supporting your body in the process. Do things that
reduce stress and make you healthy.
- Attend PLUS
PLUS is
a two-day weekend educational and experiential workshop for people
who have recently tested HIV positive and people who have been
positive for quite some time but have not yet accessed information
on HIV and service providers. The primary goal is to empower participants
with knowledge and emotional support to meet the challenges of
being HIV+.
HIV+ SERVICES AND LINKS
Magnet SF
Magnet's vision is to promote the physical, mental and social well-being
of gay men, including social support, mental health counseling
and HIV/STD counseling and testing.
AIDSMEDS.com
AIDSmeds.com is dedicated to providing people living with HIV the
necessary information they need to make empowered treatment decisions.
By offering complete, but not complicated, up-to-date info, AIDSmeds.com
seeks to help those that are both new and old to this challenge.
HIV InSite
Comprehensive, up-to-date information on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention,
and policy from the University of California San Francisco School
of Medicine.
The Body
The Body's mission is to 1) use the Web to lower barriers between
patients and clinicians, 2) demystify HIV/AIDS and its treatment,
3) improve patients' quality of life, and 4) foster community through
human connection.
Shanti – HIV/AIDS Services
Shanti provides services designed to meet the emotional and practical
needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, including care coordination,
peer and treatment advocacy, support services by volunteers, and
social activities.
Shanti – The Life Program
The Life Program is an immune-boosting treatment for HIV/AIDS based
on mind/body medicine. Also includes HealthChat, a twice-monthly
discussion group for gay and bisexual men.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
AIDS Healthcare Foundation's mission is to provide cutting-edge
medicine and advocacy for HIV and AIDS, regardless of a client’s
ability to pay.
AIDS Project of the East Bay
AIDS Project East Bay is committed to the prevention of the spread
of the HIV and to the provision of culturally sensitive and effective
services to all persons and communities infected with and affected
by HIV in Alameda County.
Ark of Refuge, Inc.
The Ark is a faith based agency providing HIV prevention education,
case management, medical services, HIV housing, substance abuse
groups, and group/individual counseling.
Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness
Center
Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center educates, supports,
empowers, and advocates for Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI)
communities, particularly A&PIs living with or at-risk for
HIV/AIDS.
Bay Positives
The mission of Bay Area Young Positives is to help
young people (26 and under) living with HIV/AIDS live longer, happier,
healthier, more productive, and quality-filled lives.
Healing Waters
Our mission is to empower, inspire and enrich the lives of people
challenging AIDS through wilderness adventures. Our primary focus
is on white water rafting trips, sea kayaking expeditions and camping
trips for youth.
Native American AIDS Project
(NAAP)
Services include clinical advocacy, prevention case management,
outreach, support groups, health education and living assistance.
New Leaf Community Service
New Leaf exists to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer
and questioning individuals and families of all ages lead healthy
and connected lives. We provide professional mental health, substance
abuse, and social support services to strengthen our diverse community.
AIDS Housing Alliance
The AIDS Housing Alliance exists for the specific purpose of providing
a facility, or facilities, where care, housing or both are provided
to people with AIDS or HIV related illnesses in a way that enhances
the dignity and independence of all participants.
Project Inform
Project Inform is a national nonprofit, community based organization
working to end the AIDS epidemic. Our mission is to inform, advocate
inspire people in the fight against HIV.
Project Open Hand
Project Open Hand provides food and nourishment to improve the
quality of life for the men, women and children it serves. Project
Open Hand programs include: meal, grocery and nutrition counseling
for people with symptomatic HIV and AIDS; congregate lunch and
nutrition education for people over 60 years of age; meal service
for homebound and critically ill people under the age of 60.
Positive Resource Center
This agency provides employment and vocational rehabilitation planning,
counseling and coordination, job development and placement, support
groups, and computer access and training for clients entering or
re-entering the workplace.
Positive Personals
Are you looking for friendship, a short-term relationship, or a
long-term relationship? You've come to the right place. Here you
can browse, search, and place personal ads. It's a great way to
meet other HIV+ people in your area. The goal of Positive Personals
is to bring positive people together. Sound interesting? Check
it out!
