WE BAND OF HIV BROTHERS
every day. He was always the first person I rang when I got bad news or was worried. I'd ring in
tears, panicking and whatever he was doing he'd just drop it. He was
a real buddy in the true sense of the word. I felt like a leper at the
time and he was really affectionate.
"I've got my own home again. Financially it's still a struggle. I
still feel bad physically sometimes but mentally I'm much more positive.
You can't just keep laying your depression on your friends. Some days
I just unplug the phone, close the doors, stay in bed, have a lazy day,
feel miserable, maybe have a good cry and the next day I'm
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alright again."
What about Chris, how did he cope with this situation?
"I had other friends who were HIV positive, so I knew something about
it. You just try and be positive towards them in every sense. You have
to be practical and also deal with officialdom for them. Dealing with
the councils and the Benefits Agency is so draining, but you just have
to try and not let them beat you down. The problem is when something is
really bad, the carer
Neil and Chris celebrate the award
doesn't feel he has the right to be down."
Who supports you and how do you manage when Neil is depressed?
"I've a big group of friends and Neil's mum and dad have been fantastic.
I've never
had any professional help.
"In terms of stress it was way up there on a par with my dad dying.
It does
