"There is hope, there is support, you are not on your own and you will thrive and not just survive living with HIV."

“When I was diagnosed my first thought was ‘I’m going to die’, but my work colleagues said ‘don’t be ridiculous, there’s medication out there, you’re going to be fine’. Thankfully they were right, and I was wrong. My health visitor explained to me at that stage, I didn’t need to go on any medication, in fact I didn’t need to start medication for another five years. I felt lucky, as that allowed me time to do some homework on HIV, the side effects of medication and things like that, so by the time I needed medication, I was ready for it.

Before my diagnosis I didn’t know much about HIV, but I remember Princess Diana broke down so many barriers by holding the hands of people with HIV and hugging them. Watching that on TV was the catalyst for me wanting to help people living with HIV.

I’ve now been living with HIV for 15 years. Telling my story is a real passion, as someone who is involved in peer support – I know how important it is for newly diagnosed people to know they’re not alone, and they’ve got people around them. I thought I only wanted to help other people, but I actually needed help as well. And I still need help. It’s very much a give and take.

In my opinion, the most important thing to know is that you’re not alone. There’s a lot of support out there, no matter where you are. Be it if you’re in the Outer Hebrides, Orkney or Shetland, you guys aren’t alone. Absolutely not. Support is out there. As for other people, be it family, friends, or complete strangers, that don’t accept your diagnosis, try to remember that is not within your control. The past has happened and you can’t change it. Who knows what’s going to happen tomorrow? All you can do is look at the here and now. You don’t have any control over your friend’s or family’s reaction. You can educate and hopefully they take it on, but if they don’t, that’s their loss. My HIV diagnosis has massively affected relationships with people, but those that really matter will stick around you, support you, lift you up when you’re down and celebrate the successes with you.

Everyone’s got their own individual story about living with HIV, from diagnosis to their treatment. But one thing we all have in common is living with HIV doesn’t mean it needs to massively impact your life.

I’m living with HIV but I’m also thriving with HIV. It’s not the thing I wake up to in the morning and think ‘Oh my goodness, I’m living with HIV today.’ It’s just part of my every day and I hope that’s reassuring to hear if someone is going through a new diagnosis. There is hope, there is support, you are not on your own, and you will thrive and not just survive living with HIV.”

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Ali’s story is part of the H is for Human series, in collaboration with the Terrence Higgins Trust, sharing stories of strength, courage and hope from four decades of HIV in Scotland.

For more information on Terrence Higgins Trust and to learn about the work they do, follow this link.

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