About Me

Dave Martin

I am an openly gay man who has been living with HIV since September 1986, and with an AIDS diagnosis since November 1999. By my own choice I did not begin on medication until September 2003.

I have never been healthier than I am now. Well, not exactly. The long-term effects of HIV infection have been causing me some issues with my mind. Seventeen years without meds meant more time for the virus to get into my brain and cause damage.

Though I was diagnosed by a neurologist and a psychologist in 2003 with AIDS dementia, I was too stubborn and unwilling to admit defeat. After seven years in Austin and failing at every job I got - because I couldn't learn or remember the simplest of tasks well enough - I've applied for disability. My HIV doctor recommended it.

Some things are still there, just takes longer to do them than it used to. I can toss out one-liner quips on Facebook with ease, but blog entries aren't that simple. Doing my best.

I used to only have my writing with which to speak my mind. Now I have a voice more powerful and passionate than those my hands could compose. The two combined is my weapon of choice - the pen truly is mightier than the sword. There's a reason why sword is just a juxtaposition of words.

With luck more people will read my writing and find solace, comfort, humor, or whatever it is they are needing. Please feel free to subscribe to my blog and comment on any of the entries. Oh, and I'm well aware that nobody was blogging back in 1987. I just felt it was best to be honest about the date I wrote that article.

Dave