Lean on Me

by Kellee Terrell

Leslie Williams
Age: 50
Diagnosed with HIV in 1993
Diagnosed with hep C in 1989
Recovering heroin addict

Real Health: What did you know about HIV when you were diagnosed?
Leslie Williams: I am no stranger to HIV. My little brother died of AIDS; my father died of AIDS; and my wife, Andrea, is HIV positive as well. When my father was dying, I told my mother that HIV is going to stop with me; my daughters are not going to become infected. I quit using drugs and became serious about taking care of my health. Now my HIV and hep C are under control, and I have been clean since 1994. Determination played a part in that, but so did having support at home and in my community.

Where do you go for support?
My wife, Andrea, and I keep each other alive. She is my backbone—she stays on me to take my meds and she educates me about the virus. I also go to two support groups a week—one for HIV-positive men and one open to anyone. We talk about everything, from meds to what to do if you have sores in your mouth.

Any advice for people who are apprehensive about support groups?
I know a lot of brothers who don’t want to talk about what is going on with them, but I tell them to take advantage of what’s out there, because I remember a time when there was a lot less [help].