Since speaking openly about my HIV status, I have taken ownership of it. People can think what they like, but I haven't let it defeat me. And hopefully, by speaking out, it will help chip away at the stigma that is still all too prevalent.
Until very recently, when it came to telling people I was HIV positive, it felt like I was re-living my 'coming out' years all over again.
It was quite scary hearing the doctor talk about numbers in the millions. I'd started treatment and knew I was being looked after in that sense. But I felt like I was at the bottom of a very large mountain, and knew that mentally and physically I had a long way to go.
