Kris

I have been HIV positive for 12 years. I contracted HIV through gang rape whilst in London training to be a nurse.
Having found out I was HIV positive the first thing I did was turn to my family for support.

Unfortunately this was in short supply and my father threw me out of the house. The only contact I have had with my family in the past 12 years I have initiated, and since telling my family I'm HIV positive it has never once been mentioned since. This has resulted in me feeling lonely and isolated and this experience has compounded my fear of telling other people, even my friends.

As a nurse I have experienced other forms of discrimination. I chose not to disclose my status to the hospital I was working in, but my doctor broke patient confidentiality and told the hospital of my status and followed it up by saying he didn't think I should be working full stop.

Despite my manager being supportive, the majority of my colleagues have shunned me. Some even refused to work with me and this was dealt with by placing us on different shifts - why should I be treated differently because other people are prejudiced?