Stopping the Spread of AIDS

stoplightIt all began when I was 24. To me I was living the good life, a good job, car and having fun, fun, fun. I was on top of the world. We my friends and I would go out to clubs and spend money and have a very very good time. I had heard about HIV and STD's but I was careful, never had sex unless I used a condom. One Saturday night I went out alone to a club. I went out alone because I wanted to meet a nice man not to have sex with, but to get to know and perhaps begin a relationship. Who knows I was probably hoping to settle down and eventually get married. He was great all the things I was looking for, kind, gentle with a wonderful warm smile. He had a good job and now looking back, he seemed in a way to be too good to be true.  We went out about 4 times to dinner. We liked many of the same things, we enjoyed having fun and laughing together, and both even liked our jobs. My dream came true man never asked or pressured me for sex. I was the one who made all the first moves. On our 5th date things go fired up andred-ribboned hand we began kissing and he said he wanted to make love to me. He seemed shy about his body and turned off the lights. I felt uncomfortable about this lights off stuff but proceeded anyway. I had recently gone to the doctor, had blood tests that were negative, so we had unprotected sex. In all we had unprotected sex twice and although I felt uncomfortable while having sex I blew it off and just focused on enjoying him.  My perfect new love called me to say that he was going to visit his family for a few days and would call me when he came back to town. A week later I noticed I had a rash in my private area and went to the doctor. I was diagnosed with herpes two weeks after having unprotected sex, and 3 months later HIV. I was in shock, I had no way to contact this man, the cell phone number he had given to me was disconnected, his place of business didn't know who or what I was talking about. My near perfect gentle, fun loving, good job guy has left me in a deep depression. I no longer look for nice guys and feel today all my happy days are over. I wrote this letter to say, PLEASE LADIES THINK TWICE, THINK TWICE, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. LIFE IS TO SHORT AND VALUABLE TO TAKE FOR GRANTED.

I have been married for over a year now. I met my husband last year around the holidays. We fell in love immediately and began our life together. After living in what I believed to be marital bliss for about a month we had an argument and my husband was very angry with me. He told me that he was HIV positive and was only telling me because he angry with me.

I didn't know much about HIV and I didn't want to believe him mainly because I love him so deeply. We are having serious marital problems. I believe that he goes out at night looking for other women to be with. I am very sad about my life.

I now know a lot about HIV. I am HIV+, I take medication and I am doing well. I do not want anyone else to go through what I have and continue to go through. I have also come to realize that I can not protect other women from my husband or other people who are having unprotected sex.

This is my story and as hard as it is to tell, I want to help others from going through what I am living everyday of my life. Even when you think you love someone with your entire being they don't always care about you. Please take care of YOU!

FAMILY'S Programs Stopping the Spread of AIDS (Click below for contact information)

Other Programs Stopping the Spread of AIDS

  • Ulster County Health Department: (845) 340-3070
  • NYS Department of Health: (800) 541-AIDS

Sources of Information About AIDS