I was born HIV positive. My family's always been open and supportive, and we shared my diagnosis with our community with hopes of educating people about HIV.
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Me in 2011 |
Sometimes things were pretty tough. I remember when I was a little kid, being called names like "AIDS baby," or some parents not allowing me to play with their kids. Coaches were hesitant to have me on their basketball teams because they were afraid of what might happen if I bled. I didn't always understand why people treated me the way they did. At times, it was hard.
As I got older, I felt more isolated in my community. In the entire state of Rhode Island, I was the oldest person born with HIV to survive. I didn't know anyone else who was HIV positive, and started to feel like I was never going to find someone I could relate to.
August 2010 is when things started to turn around.
I attended my first Next Step program - a leadership conference for young people with HIV. Before the conference, I was nervous, but excited. I mean, it isn't very often that I'm able to enjoy the company of 35 other young people with HIV!
For the first time I was part of a community of people like me. As I heard others share their experiences growing up with HIV, I realized I wasn't alone. I felt validated, and it changed my life. I've got new faith in my abilities. I know now that HIV doesn't have to be a limiting factor in my life and I can do anything I set my mind to. I've even started speaking publicly about my experience living with HIV. Last year I was interviewed for a front-page New York Times story and for Boston's ABC Channel 5 news.
I've always dreamed of being a leader in my community. Thanks to my experiences with Next Step, I am well on my way. There are so many other young people like me who need the support that Next Step can provide. Please help them find their voices - like I did - by making a donation today.
Thank you,
Tom Cosgrove, age 22, Next Step participant since 2010
P.S. To those that have already made a contribution this year, thank you so much from me and the entire team at Next Step.