A moment that changed me: My diagnosis seemed like a death sentence how have I survived for another 40 years?

On 21 February 1986, a 22-year-old received an HIV-positive diagnosis at an STD clinic in Chelsea after going to collect test results. The diagnosis came after a partner’s suicide attempt prompted emergency testing that identified him as HIV positive. The person had little prior knowledge of HIV or AIDS and initially withdrew, expecting death and avoiding celebration planned for a sister’s birthday. Over time, friends and partners were lost, and doctors once predicted survival only until around age 30. Despite this, the person lived to age 62, later rebuilding life through education plans, work, and founding a greetings card company supported by youth business grants and awards. In 1991, a consultant recommended participation in a trial of a new antiretroviral.

"On 21 February 1986, I was diagnosed HIV positive. I was 22. It was the day of my sister's 21st birthday. That solemn Friday afternoon, my life changed for ever. We had planned a surprise party later that night. My sister was already seven months pregnant with my eldest niece, and I had gone to central London to find a card featuring a Black mother and child. Failing to find anything culturally appropriate, I decided to pop into the STD clinic in Chelsea to pick up my test results."

"I knew nothing about HIV or Aids; I'd never even heard of the acronyms until a week or so earlier. Unsurprisingly, I didn't end up partying with my sister that night. Celebrating the promise of new life while contemplating my imminent death proved too much. I spent the next several days hiding away in a darkened room, crying uncontrollably. My initial instinct had been to wait to die, and for many years after my diagnosis, I did just that. That was the prognosis back then."

"The only reason I had gone to the clinic for testing was that Colin had tried to kill himself. Doctors sought to perform an emergency blood transfusion and, after identifying that he fit the profile for sexually active white gay men in his age group, they carried out further tests, which confirmed he was HIV positive. Colin was 39. I had recently ended my three-year relationship with him and left for Birmingham University, but dropped out after receiving my diagnosis."

"With a grant from the Prince's Youth Business Trust and a Shell LiveWire award, I set up the BetterDays card company, producing ethnic minority greetings cards. In 1991, my consultant suggested that I take part in a trial of a new antiretroviral"

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