There is a new (to me) Instagram account called The AIDS Memorial (@theaidsmemorial) and this is my reaction to following them on Instagram.
I can't even explain what reading all of the posts on Instagram has done for me. I've been living with HIV/AIDS now for over 29 years and I had forgotten. I had forgotten what the 80's and 90's were like when I watched so many friends die. I can't even begin to name them all but little by little I am having memories return because of the stories you are sharing on Instagram. Finally, with some of the memories I can actually smile. I am remembering a lot of things and not just the death of ones I cared for.
Why am I still here? God only knows. After being diagnosed I got clean and sober and that completely changed my life. I was able to care for others whose parents/families had abandoned them. We had an AIDS hospice where I lived and I worked there. I cared for men, woman and children from just months old to 80 years old, learning something from each of them.
I guess you could say I am one of the lucky ones. I am a white male and I understand what it means to have unearned privilege. I've add access to medications and the best healthcare possible. I now work in research and hope to help in some small way in finding a cure for this disease.
Live well and Be beautiful
