"I will not play tug o' war. I'd rather play hug o' war. Where everyone hugs instead of tugs. Where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug. Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins.”
roxiewrites: Not only in Africa, but the entire world. Today I remember the strength of my parents.  Though they lost their battles with AIDS, they taught me to fight, because no matter how frightening, difficult and misunderstood living with the virus is, a normal life can be had.  They taught me that I am no less of a person because I was born with HIV, and that I can live my life with happiness and joy in spite of it.  They taught me that even in the end, I can be more than my diagnosis. Today I remember all the other great people I’ve known throughout my life that have lost their battles with AIDS, and those with the virus that continue to thrive.  There is hope.  There is always hope and where there is hope there is perseverance and where there is perseverance there is survival. I am a survivor.  I am more than my HIV status.  And yet, I am who I am because of this virus.  The choice I’ve made is to let it make me a better woman, not a scared or bitter woman.  I choose to live my life with with joy, passion and love.  I have HIV but HIV does not have me. Please, get yourself tested.  The only way to curb the spread of HIV is to know your status and that of the people you choose to take into your bed.  Don’t be afraid of knowing - be afraid of not knowing, because it can happen to you too.  Protect yourself, love yourself, and get tested.

roxiewrites:

Not only in Africa, but the entire world.

Today I remember the strength of my parents.  Though they lost their battles with AIDS, they taught me to fight, because no matter how frightening, difficult and misunderstood living with the virus is, a normal life can be had.  They taught me that I am no less of a person because I was born with HIV, and that I can live my life with happiness and joy in spite of it.  They taught me that even in the end, I can be more than my diagnosis.

Today I remember all the other great people I’ve known throughout my life that have lost their battles with AIDS, and those with the virus that continue to thrive.  There is hope.  There is always hope and where there is hope there is perseverance and where there is perseverance there is survival.

I am a survivor.  I am more than my HIV status.  And yet, I am who I am because of this virus.  The choice I’ve made is to let it make me a better woman, not a scared or bitter woman.  I choose to live my life with with joy, passion and love.  I have HIV but HIV does not have me.

Please, get yourself tested.  The only way to curb the spread of HIV is to know your status and that of the people you choose to take into your bed.  Don’t be afraid of knowing - be afraid of not knowing, because it can happen to you too.  Protect yourself, love yourself, and get tested.

(Source: loveincolor.org, via bestmistake)