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Personal story: Benoite

I know I need to take precautions, but I don't feel TAINTED, and that's huge for me

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Photo credit: ©iStock/GCShutter. Photos are used for illustrative purposes. They do not imply health status or behaviour.

"In September 2008, my partner had a headache for three days. He’s never been to the doctor before – he was raised on an island and never had any type of health care. I knew it was serious when I offered to take him to the ER, and he agreed. Three days later, he was diagnosed with AIDS and a raging case of cryptococcal meningitis. His CD4 count was just 3.

I went for a rapid test in the clinic attached to the hospital and never expected the answer to be that I was positive. I fell to the floor, cried like I was in a soap opera, and asked: "who's going to raise my children?" The tester was so amazing, so helpful in talking me down from this reaction, telling me he'd known people living with HIV for 25+ years. I latched on to those words like a life vest those first few months.

I was paralysed with fear and couldn't bring myself to test my little girls (they were 1 and 2 at the time). Someone at AIDS Action told me it would be ok to wait a bit, and it was like permission to get myself together first. I needed that and it made all the difference. My man was so sick, we had to change insurance companies, change paediatricians, and I was still at work full time… I just knew I’d be frozen if I found out bad news about my babies. I’d had a negative test during pregnancy number 1, and I think I must have told the midwife she didn't need to test me for pregnancy number 2 – I was in a monogamous relationship! I still think my man got it from his ex-wife years ago... hopefully that's true. Anyway, when I was ready, I got the girls tested and they are both negative – Thank God!

I immediately started seeing the docs, and since my CD4 was in the "grey area" they didn't need to push me onto meds. But when I eventually started, in Nov 2009, my viral load dropped like a bad habit and my CD4 crept up to over 850!

I used to feel like if I saw a drop of my blood that it was disgusting, dangerous to my kids and tainted. Since being on meds, I don't feel that way anymore. I know I need to take precautions, but I don't feel TAINTED, and that's huge for me.

I've disclosed to more people than I expected to at first. It’s getting easier as time passes, as I can explain that I’m okay and doing well on meds. My relationship with my partner is strong, my kids are healthy, and I have a supportive and loving group of family and friends. I’m blessed!"

What we say

Despite the success of HIV treatment, learning you are HIV-positive can bring up some difficult feelings. Like Benoite, you may find that you need a bit of time to process things – and that’s OK! Read our Newly diagnosed with HIV page for more information.

Do you have your own story to tell? Click the link to share it with us!

These personal stories have been submitted to us anonymously by individuals who use our site. Some of the stories have been edited for clarity purposes and names have been changed to protect identities.

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  • Last updated: 14 November 2022
  • Last full review: 01 March 2022
  • Next full review: 01 March 2025
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