Czojeff, 72

I'm 56 years old, 6'2 1/2" thinning blond hair, and bedroom blue eyes.
I was diagnosed with HIV on June 10, 1984, and AIDS in March of 1996.
I had open heart surgery for a triple by-pass surgery the 10th of March 2009.

I am an IV drug user in recovery. My clean and sober date is 10-20-98 to the present.

I am an ex-convict, having spent many years in and out of prison for crimes relating to supporting my drug habit. It has been well over 10 years since I was last arrested, and there are no plans for me becoming involved in crime or drugs. I have never committed any crimes against women or children.

I am VERY active as a volunteer advocate for the betterment of HIV services and HIV/STI/Hep C prevention here in New Mexico. I serve on several boards representing the HIV+ population.

I have been told numerous times I'm confrontational. When I'm called that the person saying it tries to make it sound like it's a "BAD" thing. For the last 23 years, every morning when I wake up I have to confront the day, not knowing if it is going to be a good day or a bad day. I confront a shelf full of pill bottles, some HIV meds, some for the side affects of those meds. A lot of the time my meds make me sick, but I still try and go on.

I make the most out of my good days, and on my bad days I try avoiding crass and abrasive people because invariably some dildiot will say something stupid that sets me off, and I'll blast them.
I silently tolerate the unlearned, but I refuse to accept bad treatment from people just because I have HIV.

I am opinionated, and I'm not scared to voice my opinion.
I will always stand up for the "little guy". Especially if he/she shows no fear against the odds and is willing to continue the fight against oppression, despite knowing it is a losing battle.
I call that courage, and I applaud courageous acts.