sylvester simmons – rising above hiv
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photo by steed media service
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human journal
The HIV virus is affecting more and more Americans
every year. Even as more information becomes
available to the general public, there are still those
that don’t understand the realities of living with HIV.
Sylvester Simmons knew that his life was inevitably
changed after testing positive. “It was scary because
I just wanted to die,” he says. “I didn’t know when I
was gonna die. Everything was kind of blurred, I was
closed-minded and I was very fearful. I found out in
1997 — March 13th.”
Simmons struggled to reconcile with his illness,
and to get over the prejudices of others. “People
are fearful and they’re ignorant,” he says. “Some of
them don’t even want to take time out to find out the
truth.”
Simmons’ pain became so great that he attempted
to take his life several times over the next several
years. “I’ve attempted suicide several times,” he
says frankly. “My family members didn’t want me to
eat out of plates and use the same ironing board. My
brother wouldn’t let me sit on his son’s bed to play a
video game.”
But his life turned the corner when he found “Our
Common Welfare” and Fay Brown. “She kept saying
‘it’s about living — not dying around here,’” says
Simmons. “Today, I have an open mind. I’m living.
I’ve already taken tests and tests and I’ve been undetected
for years.”
“Some [people] have gotten educated,” says Simmons
of the current state of HIV awareness. “They’re
looking at it with a different point of view now.” Simmons’
point of view is different as well. Now a married
man — he has a whole new outlook on life and
he wants people to understand that HIV is not a stop
sign on the road of life.
“I want to let [everyone] know that life is worth living,”
he explains. “You made a mistake in life, you’ve
got [to deal with the] consequences, but life goes on.
It’s about living and caring about yourself and loving
yourself again. Grab ahold to God.” –todd williams
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