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<v ->First thing I would do is sit and listen</v>

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to a person who's just been newly diagnosed.

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I'd give them the time to just, first of all,

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to the shock of being, knowing this is something

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that is life altering, life changing situation

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that they've found themselves in.

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I would sit there and I would actively listen

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without saying anything.

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I would share my story, if they wanted me to.

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The first thing I would do is ask them,

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"What are you feeling right now?

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What do you need to say?"

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I would empathize but I wouldn't sympathize.

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I would offer my support.

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I would say to that person, look at me,

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I was diagnosed HIV positive.

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I was diagnosed full blown AIDS, CD4 count of 43.

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I would say to that person, AIDS and HIV

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is not a death sentence.

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I would say to that person,

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life is still good and I would advise that person

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to look at what they have as opposed to what they're losing.

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They have the opportunity to now save their lives.

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They have the opportunity to save the lives

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of those that they love and more importantly,

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they have the opportunity now

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to truly learn about this disease and spread the word

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of how painless it was to get tested

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and how empowered they are now because they have control

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over a situation that they were not aware

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that they were even involved in,

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that now they are a part of a very important fight

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and that they're not alone,

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more importantly, I would let them know,

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you are not alone, that there is care,

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that there is help and there is medicine.