Positive Indeed

Why I Ride

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:42:00 GMT

I've learned a lot about HIV since being diagnosed with AIDS in 2002. In those nearly 10 years I've learned a lot about how this disease affects people. Positive people are ashamed of it, and negative people are scared of it. People continue to put themselves at risk, regardless of the consequences. We know that when taken properly, HIV medications can offer a long life expectancy to many who are infected. It would seem that the public still thinks it is a death sentence. In many parts of the world, it is.

Till the Fat Lady Sings

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Thu, 1 Dec 2011 17:15:00 GMT

Every December 1st, since 1988, has marked the day when the world unites in solidarity against HIV/AIDS. I started the 2011 World AIDS Day by speaking to 145 students at the British School of Chicago.

A Year-Round Affair

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:10:00 GMT

We're a few short days from Thanksgiving and I've got so much to be thankful for. Delicious food in my fridge, ready to be cooked and shared with the people I love the most. A strong, healthy body, which includes an undetectable viral load and over 700 T-Cells (up from 123 at diagnosis). Gainfully employed, with insurance to pay for the medications that keep me healthy. Most importantly though, I remember when times weren't so great. That knowledge offers me a sense of gratitude that lasts the whole year through.

Keep on Pushin'

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:42:00 GMT

I've been absent from the blogging scene for awhile now. Three months ago my excuse was that I was busy with work. Now that work has slowed down I don't really have an excuse. I suppose it's fear. I know that my blog is called Positive Indeed, but sometimes I just don't feel so positive. The fact of the matter is that while I am grateful for the things in my life, I am currently in a position where I am not getting something that I want. This thing that I want, also happens to be something that I think I deserve.

Your Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words: A Day With HIV in America

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:39:00 GMT

I know I have been absent from the blogging scene. I'll be honest, I have had a bit of a writer's block, so to speak. I am in awe of bloggers who are able to post so often!

That being said, I do want to share a very timely blog piece with you. There is an annual event that is called "A Day With HIV in America" and if you're reading this, I'd like you to take part. The premise is simple. We are all affected by HIV, whether we are negative or positive. On Wednesday, September 21, grab your camera or smartphone and take a picture of you and your everyday life.

Meth vs. Meds: A Tale of Self-Preservation

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Thu, 1 Sep 2011 08:30:00 GMT

Self-preservation: The protection of oneself from harm or death, esp. regarded as a basic instinct in human beings and animals.

Self-preservation.

Honestly, that's exactly why I always took my HIV meds, no matter how high I was. Even though, in the beginning, I had no idea how my HIV medications worked, deep down I knew they were the only things that were going to keep me alive.

My Life With AIDS

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Fri, 3 Jun 2011 13:00:00 GMT

We've come a long way living with this disease. This year marks 30 years since HIV/AIDs began its bold and rapid descent upon the human race.

Could we have ever imagined that this disease would change the course of human history the way that it has? Could we have imagined so many people would fall prey to it?

Dearest Readers: Why I Give Back

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Fri, 1 Apr 2011 09:31:00 GMT

For the past three years I have taken part in an annual event called the Ride for AIDS Chicago. Ride for AIDS Chicago is a two-day, 200-mile charity cycling event that goes from Chicago, Illinois, to Elkhorne, Wisconsin.

Ride for AIDS Chicago raises money to support an AIDS service organization (ASO) here in Chicago called Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN). TPAN is Chicago's oldest peer-led organization and since 1987 has been teaching people how to live with HIV/AIDS instead of die from it.

Out and Proud

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Thu, 2 Dec 2010 20:38:00 GMT

The year 2010 has brought with it an expanded sense of what HIV/AIDS means not only to me but also my fellow Americans, friends and others across the world.

Coming to terms with my diagnosis and learning to live a life of openness with it was something that just naturally happened to me on my path to personal enlightenment. Coming to that place of peace and openness has opened my eyes to the reality of what it means for many people living with this disease in 2010.

Fake It Till You Make It

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:46:00 GMT

My first two blog entries flowed out of me as easy as wine does among friends on a summer's night. This one, not so much! In my first blog entry I mentioned how it's easier to have that positive attitude when things are going well but that it can be a real challenge when things aren't going so well.

The situation: My boyfriend and I broke up.

Gratitude on World AIDS Day

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:35:00 GMT

When I was offered the opportunity to blog about World AIDS Day, I began to think of the actual wording, "World AIDS Day." I was immediately filled with a sense of gratitude. A sense of gratitude for the medications I have, the support systems I have in place, and of course my own good health. This is not to say that people here in the United States don't face their own set of challenges when it comes to living with HIV.

For instance, as of October 7 there are 3,586 people in eight states who are on waiting lists for AIDS Drug Assistance Program coverage. One hopes that they are finding medication through other programs while waiting for a spot on ADAP. In other parts of the world, people are not so lucky. What is the first (and only) line treatment in some parts of the world is third or fourth line here. Of course in many places (especially in Africa), medications are not even available.

D-Day

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:00:00 GMT

This second entry is going to focus on and around the time I was diagnosed with HIV. Just to give you a little background information, prior to the day of my final HIV test and subsequent diagnosis I had previously broken out in an all over body rash. This body rash had first become apparent following a full body seaweed wrap that I had gotten while on a cruise to the Bahamas. I thought perhaps it was a reaction to the seaweed wrap so I went to see the ship's doctor, who wasn't sure what it was so had given me some cortisone or something.

As soon as I got back to Chicago I went to see my doctor. He took one look at the rash and said -- that's Syphilis (second stage). The next thing he asked me was when my last HIV test was. To which I replied, two years.

Positive Indeed

PositiveIndeed@gmail.com (Richard Cordova) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:19:00 GMT

Alright, so here we go. My name is Richard Cordova and I'm a blogger. Well I am now technically anyways. I've never written a blog before so I'm not entirely sure how this is all going to turn out. As they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained right? Right?

First off a little about me. I am 32 years old and I reside in the fabulous city of Chicago, IL. I have been HIV positive for over eight years. I can't remember the exact date because, well, I was pretty strung out on Crystal Meth at the time. I'll get more into that later!