I’d like to hear stories of resilience and success – Michael

It was a war zone and we were in perpetual crisis. I think for some guys, especially where there was a decimation of friends, and whole networks disappeared, there’s grief. When there’s a severe loss of life expectation that changes you. Long-term diagnosed guys have experienced some really challenging things that do change the way they interact. Something really major happened to a group of HIV positive guys and it still resonates today.

Stories of resilience and stories of success

We’ve had sad, death and dying type stories, but we haven’t had many stories about people diagnosed long-term who have managed to integrate their experiences: stories of resilience and stories of success. HIV basically is about the loss of expectation. But then, for me, that all becomes again very euphemistic because what’s life, if it’s not a loss of expectation? I’d like to see some stories that question what HIV has given us and what it has taken away from us: stories about how individuals have come through and triumphed.

Talk to people who have made changes in their lives. This is where peer support can be useful. Think about joining or setting up an online group.

• Peer support can be a catalyst and give you confidence to make changes.