I met Wesley in 1999, while employed at Fairview University Medical center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was working in the clerical department of medical records. It was fascinating listening to his stories, and adventures. He was still working in the modeling industry, doing some print work for various advertisements and he worked at a local theater every night.

I had no idea that he was HIV positive until, I noticed that he started feeling a little under the weather. He missed a couple of days of work, and when he returned, I noticed the lymph nodes immediately. Being a medical professional and his friend, I boldly asked him if he had ever been tested for HIV. I asked him, not because he was gay but because of the noticeable symptoms. It was at that time, he confided in me that he was HIV positive. I assume that he thought I would reject his friendship. However, it didn’t disturb anything. I am not prejudiced and I have known many with the illness.

Wesley is still alive, and enjoying life. He rides his bike daily, tries to eat as healthy as possible and practices meditation. Many years prior, he relocated to Minneapolis and enrolled in pharmaceutical trials. He receives the majority of his meds for free and currently is undetectable. He still has not given up and serves as a motivating force for me. Usually I call him everyday, and we talk and laugh about everything under the sun. In my opinion, Wesley has defeated HIV by remaining positive, living healthy and surrounding himself with people who love him.

If you or a loved one feel as if you may have acquired HIV, it is important to get tested. It may take anywhere from three weeks to six months for it to become detectable by examination. Your doctor will order an HIV serum study and possibly confirm it using a western blot study. If you do find that you have been infected, don’t give up. Think of this story and choose life.