To disclose or not to disclose?

I have been thinking on this every since the diagnosis! Who do you tell?

The first people we told were parents and our closest friends. The people that mattered most to us. The reactions, as anticipated were positive and supportive.

But what about anyone else? Should we tell our employer? We are not in an industry where our Status affects our day to day duties. We are pretty much "office monkeys" with perhaps the greatest danger being the odd stray staple or renegade paper clip! Joking aside though, this is a point that is playing on my mind.

There are a 101 reasons not to tell anyone other than those close to you, equally there are serious considerations to disclosing your status to other outside the 'inner circle'. I guess at the moment I am pretty much covered as I have a credible cover story for my frequent trips to the Clinic but what if I become ill and then the illness becomes more frequent requiring more and more time off work? Here in the UK at least we are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) but in order to be afforded this protection you need to have disclosed your Status! Rock and a hard place springs to mind, but it is still early days I guess!

I think as I learn more about my condition and gain a greater understanding of it's implications the the matter of disclosure will become an easier one.

Until then it will just be our little secret!

The start of my new life??

Hello! Good Evening and Welcome!

This is my first ever Blog entry! I have finally succumbed to the Blog craze and and decided to post the thoughts of my (sometimes) twisted mind for all to see!

Well, my first entry is not so much twisted more an outlet as 9 days ago my life changed forever when I was diagnosed as HIV Positive. Now being gay I have been exposed to the disease most of my adult life, through friends, the gay scene and the Media. This however does nothing to numb the shock of receiving a positive diagnosis!

I can't really say it was a surprise when the result came back! I have lived the life style and played the "game" with relish and vigour, but somewhat foolishly, with the philosophy that it would never happen to me! Now it has!!

I have to say the whole process is a bit of a body shock! The amount of blood that has been drawn from me in the past 9 days is shocking! Being of a squeamish disposition has not helped as I have winced and moaned like a girl!! Forever cries of "make it painless", "Use a little needle" and " I am OK with this just DON'T LET ME SEE THE BLOOD!" Fortunately I have not puked on a nurse yet but there is still time!

I guess at this point I should also mention that my Partner of 8 years also received a positive result on the same day. Something I am quite glad about. Now when I say that I do not mean that in a nasty way; what I actually mean is that I have someone there, someone who knows me mind, body and soul to share the experience with! I did cry when I was told but the Boyf, the pragmatic sort that he is took it on the chin, squeezed my hand and gave me the look that I know means " Don't worry, I am here". In that respect I guess I am so very lucky. So many before us have had to go through this on their own but we have each other for support, that ready made shoulder to cry on!

The folks at our local clinic are fantastic, I can not praise them enough! They also allow us to be seen together. Everything from seeing our Consultant, to blood tests! We are there side by side. OK! enough waffle for one day!

I may post more later as I am finding this quite cathartic, whether anyone reads it or not! If you have stopped by and taken the time to read this, then Thank You!

If you have any questions then please feel free to post a comment and I will do my utmost to respond in a timely manner. For now - So Long :o)