| 37.8 million people are positive - That's 11 out of every 1000 adults 4.8 million new HIV infections occurred worldwide during 2003; About 14,000 infections each day. Over 20 million people with HIV/AIDS have died since 1981 950,000 Americans are positve - 238,000 don't know it 40,000 new US infections yearly - 20,000 of those are 1-25yrs. old There are more HIV positive Americans than the entire population of Montana |
| There's only us, there's only this. Forget regret or life is yours to miss. No other road, no other way, |
| There's only us, There's only this. Forget regret or life is yours to miss. No other road. No other way. No day but today. Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care? Will I wake tomorrow From this nightmare? There's only now. There's only here. Give in to love. Or live in fear. No other path. No other way. NO DAY BUT TODAY |
| NO DAY BUT TODAY |
| Why Me? I am HIV positive. That's not something that I really ever thought I would say, unless I was saying it in a play or a movie. But instead, I am saying it in life; I am positive. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to put this on my website - it's not exactly something to be proud of. However, when looking at the statistics for my former website, Danny-Land.com: in three years, I had over 15,000 hits. I don't know who, how or why, but a lot of people stumbled across Danny-Land. I expect DannyNYC.com will be the same. Therefore, if I have the power to reach 15,000 people, and just one of those people learns something from my experience - well, then I'm gonna do it. July 28, 2004, the counselor walked back into the room. He had a very laid back attitude and an easy demeanor. With a smile on his face, he said "Well, Daniel, the test did come back positive." The tone of his voice will be etched in my brain for the rest of my left. "Well, Daniel, the test did come back positive." Here is a list of all the answers to that age-old question, Why me? Because I didn't use a condom. The first time was an accident. The second time I was drunk. The third thru 30th times, who knows. Usually I was drunk. A lot of times, I thought that it was more intimate. Other times, I thought it was sexier. Sometimes, I was picturing scenes from bareback porn and was mimicking. Sometimes I would look at the wrapped up condom on the nightstand while having sex. It seemed so much more exiting to be doing something bad. It's like I was rebelling - but against what, life? A lot of times I felt like I was boosting my self esteem. Do you know where myself self esteem is now? "Well, Daniel, the test did come back positive." I was always responsible when it came to getting tested. Every four months, without fail. Every time I was sure it would be positive. Each time it came back negative. Subconsciously, that fed the fire. I began to feel invincible. You figure - lots of lube, nothing rough so that nothing tears - and your safe. You know how well that works? "Well, Daniel, the test did come back positive." Luckily, like I said, I got tested every four months. The sooner you know, the sooner you can eat properly, exercise and make all the lifestyles necessary to maintain your immune system. If you need to get tested, go to Callen-Lorde. It is twenty bucks. They prick your fingertip and you get the results in twenty minutes. If you have just become positive, check out Day One for some very useful information. And if you are positive, don't get re-infected and don't infect others. |
| Brave Little Soldier Dolly Parton I'm a brave little soldier, I must be bold and strong A brave little soldier, And I must carry on I'm a brave little soldier, I must fight, I must win I'm a brave little soldier, Through hell and back again Yet though I am marching through the valley filled with fear. My steps are sure and sturdy and my aim is straight and clear. The enemy is stalking me just waiting for the kill. Like David slewed Galiath, I will claim this battle field. I'm a brave little soldier, I must do what I can. I'm a brave little soldier, And I must take a stand. Marching, marching onward, Searching out the light of truth I did not start the war, But it's a battle I can't lose. Faith will be my armor, And love my sword and shield I must defeat the enemy, I will, I will, I will |
| Postive about Positive This is it (this is it), this is life, the one you get, so go and have a ball! This is it (this is it), straight ahead and rest assured, you can't be sure at all. So while you're here, enjoy the view; keep on doing what you do. Hold on tight; we'll muddle through, one day at a time. A lot of people don't realize that the most import defense against HIV after infection, is happiness. Stress is one of the biggest problems in breaking down the immune system. I don't know why, but for some reason, I feel more confident with myself now than I have in a long time. I don't feel "fat" anymore. I don't feel inferior to the Chelsea queens. I don't feel like I need to sleep with someone just to validate myself or feel special. I actually feel content. I don't get stressed over anything really. Don't like your home, move. Don't like your job, quit. Don't like your kids, well, be a gay uncle! What's the point? Why stress? Instead of stressing about life, just live it! For the sun will rise, And the moon will set, And learn how to settle for what you get. It will all go on if we're here or not, So who cares? So what? So who cares? So what? The best advice I've ever received was in a book by my favorite author, and they are word to live by: "Live like it's your last day, love like you're going to live together" - E Lynn Harris BTW, I have been undetecable for three years now. Woo-hoo! |