POZIAM: Developing A Safe Environment

by Bambi Weavil

Having the pleasure of meeting Robert through a mutual friend, I've had the pleasure of getting to know Robert and his tireless fight to help educate the world about HIV and AIDS with his developing non-profit, POZIAM, and his blog, http://www.poziam.blogspot.com/. We find Robert to be inspiring, and we hope that you will check out his work. Here is our recent chat:

Robert Breining headshot

Bambi Weavil: When/how did you find out you were HIV+?

Robert Breining: I spent a lot of time in the bar and club scene and got involved with the wrong people and then involved in drugs. I dealt with addiction for about 4 years and then attended NA. I figured after all the years of partying, I would go get tested. I was clean for 7 months when I was diagnosed HIV+ in June of 2001, 6 months after my father passed away from lung cancer. I have been clean for over 6 years.

BW: Tell us more about the non-profit you are forming.

Robert Breining: POZIAM.COM is a social online community that was created to educate people about HIV and AIDS. This site will give you an inside look on the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. This site is similar to MySpace, but is for HIV+ people or people living with AIDS. Here you will be able to create a POZIAM profile, upload your pictures and videos, and you will be able to create your own POZIAM Blog and read other blogs of members in the community. This community allows you to be an active member and still remain anonymous. You have total control over what you put on your profile. You can also participate in Open Discussions, Forums and Polls and you can also join a group. This site is not just for people with HIV/AIDS. Everyone is welcome to become a member we don't discriminate just like the disease. THIS SITE WAS DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE TO SHARE THERE STORIES and experiences OF HOW THEY COPE, LIVE AND LAUGH WHILE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. GREAT PLACE FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED PEOPLE TO FIND INFORMATION ON LIVING A HEALTHY , LONGER LIFE. It allows them to ask questions in a safe environment. This site is not a dating website.

BW: Tell us more about the purpose of your blog?

Robert Breining: I wanted people who were not familiar with HIV/AIDS to have an inside look of my life living with HIV. It allows people to see the struggles and accomplishments that I go through living with HIV.

BW: What is the biggest misconception you feel is in the portrayal of people with AIDS?

Robert Breining: I feel the biggest misconception that people still have about people with HIV/AIDS is that we are all skinny, sick and dying. That isn't true. Some of us (like myself) are very athletic and healthy. HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence like people still think. Since I have been doing this kind of work I have met people who are healthy and have been living HIV+ their entire life. (over 20+ years)

BW: What are some non-profits that you support?

Robert Breining: I would like to support all of them but the non-profits I would like to work closer with is the AIDS Fund (they run the Philly AIDS Walk), Philadelphia Fight, Philadelphia Falcons, and the Jonathon Lax Center. I am currently a campaign ambassador for Hopes Voice and I am involved in their "Does HIV Look Like Me?" Campaign. You can check out my video at www.doeshivlooklikeme.org.

BW: How do you want to remembered?

Robert Breining: I want to be remembered as someone who stepped out of their comfort zone to make others feel more comfortable in their own skin.




	POZIAM: Developing A Safe Environment by Bambi Weavil Having the pleasure of meeting Robert through a mutual friend, I've had the pleasure of getting to know Robert and his tireless fight to help educate the world about HIV and AIDS with his developing non-profit, POZIAM, and his blog, http://www.poziam.blogspot.com/. We find Robert to be inspiring, and we hope that you will check out his work. Here is our recent chat: Bambi Weavil: When/how did you find out you were HIV+? Robert Breining: I spent a lot of time in the bar and club scene and got involved with the wrong people and then involved in drugs. I dealt with addiction for about 4 years and then attended NA. I figured after all the years of partying, I would go get tested. I was clean for 7 months when I was diagnosed HIV+ in June of 2001, 6 months after my father passed away from lung cancer. I have been clean for over 6 years. BW: Tell us more about the non-profit you are forming. Robert Breining: POZIAM.COM is a social online community that was created to educate people about HIV and AIDS. This site will give you an inside look on the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. This site is similar to MySpace, but is for HIV+ people or people living with AIDS. Here you will be able to create a POZIAM profile, upload your pictures and videos, and you will be able to create your own POZIAM Blog and read other blogs of members in the community. This community allows you to be an active member and still remain anonymous. You have total control over what you put on your profile. You can also participate in Open Discussions, Forums and Polls and you can also join a group. This site is not just for people with HIV/AIDS. Everyone is welcome to become a member we don't discriminate just like the disease. THIS SITE WAS DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE TO SHARE THERE STORIES and experiences OF HOW THEY COPE, LIVE AND LAUGH WHILE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. GREAT PLACE FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED PEOPLE TO FIND INFORMATION ON LIVING A HEALTHY , LONGER LIFE. It allows them to ask questions in a safe environment. This site is not a dating website. BW: Tell us more about the purpose of your blog? Robert Breining: I wanted people who were not familiar with HIV/AIDS to have an inside look of my life living with HIV. It allows people to see the struggles and accomplishments that I go through living with HIV. BW: What is the biggest misconception you feel is in the portrayal of people with AIDS? Robert Breining: I feel the biggest misconception that people still have about people with HIV/AIDS is that we are all skinny, sick and dying. That isn't true. Some of us (like myself) are very athletic and healthy. HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence like people still think. Since I have been doing this kind of work I have met people who are healthy and have been living HIV+ their entire life. (over 20+ years) BW: What are some non-profits that you support? Robert Breining: I would like to support all of them but the non-profits I would like to work closer with is the AIDS Fund (they run the Philly AIDS Walk), Philadelphia Fight, Philadelphia Falcons, and the Jonathon Lax Center. I am currently a campaign ambassador for Hopes Voice and I am involved in their "Does HIV Look Like Me?" Campaign. You can check out my video at www.doeshivlooklikeme.org. BW: How do you want to remembered? Robert Breining: I want to be remembered as someone who stepped out of their comfort zone to make others feel more comfortable in their own skin.			Meet Dillon, our special friend affected by HIV Ashley Judd, Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS YouthAIDS Global Ambassador, Ashley Judd's Asia Diary * Every day, 14,000 people contract HIV * 40.3 million people now live with HIV * AIDS kills one child every minute Featured Performer Raising Awareness for AIDS: Annie Lennox The Concept Behind "Sing": More Videos Please purchase "Sing" by clicking here Annie's Call to Action: More Videos Please purchase "Sing" by clicking here

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