Transcript

My name is Glyn, I am 55 years old and I am HIV positive.

HIV testing is important so that one finds out before one ends up in an emergency room with an AIDS diagnosis.

The reason I got an HIV test?

The thing is, I didn’t get an HIV test.

I found out in 1985 after donating blood to the state of Oregon.

They called me up, the Department of Health, and told me I could no longer donate blood because I have AIDS.

My reaction to those results, I was devastated.

At that time, AIDS and ARC was killing people.

People were dying, they were not lasting.

The only medication was AZT.

It was killing people.

So, I assumed I was dying.

My dealing with my diagnosis, it took me 16 years to accept the fact that I am living with this virus.

It took me 16 years to enter medical treatment, to accept a professionals way of helping.

It took me a lot of time to surrender to the fact that I am infected and I need other people to help me.

I am a HIV test counselor, a senior.

I’m a phlebotomist for an agency here in New York City and I’m in the street five, six days a week encouraging people to get an HIV test so they don’t end up in the hospital room with an AIDS diagnosis.

I want people to know their status so that they can maintain it.

It is only a condition.

HIV is just a condition.

My advice to people that have concerns, it’s best to go ahead and get the test.

Knowing is sexy, that’s why people should get tested.