Those living with AIDS take control of their lives, instead of letting it control them
Story Created:
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:24 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Dec 1, 2011 at 7:24 PM EDT
WORLD AIDS DAY (WKTV) - Thursday is World AIDS Day and millions of people across the world are wearing red to support those infected with HIV/AIDS.
Steve Kernan is a local from Alder Creek, N.Y. who was diagnosed with AIDS 13 years ago. He remembers every little detail about that frightful day he was told he had AIDS more than a decade ago.
"When I was first diagnosed, I was so scared from it. Now, I just live with it," says Kernan. "I go about my daily business. I do work, I do my artwork, I do my knitting and I just don't worry about it anymore."
After years of counseling and support from friends and family, he has finally taken control of his life, instead of letting the disease control him.
Kernan is not alone in the battle with AIDS. 1 in 5 people currently are infected with the disease and don't even know it.
"The earlier you get tested, the better the medication will work," says Jacqueline Johnston, the Assistant Director at AIDS Community Resources. "You will have more subsistence in your system. It could be caught in the HIV status before it moves into AIDS status."
If the test results do come back positive, Kernan wants you to know your life is not over, it is just beginning.
"You are going to live through this and you are going to make it," Kernan said. "It's a manageable disease today and it's not something that means AIDS equals death anymore."
Oneida County currently has the 4th highest incident of HIV/AIDS in New York State.
If you have any questions or want to get tested, you can call AIDS Community Resources at (315) 793-0661.
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