Personal stories
My dream job
I'm a 27-year-old gay guy and I was diagnosed with both HIV and hepatitis B in 2004. I had a terrible time after my diagnosis. I was ill and needed to take HIV treatment immediately, and it was only when I was prescribed my third combination that I found one that I could tolerate. The relationship I was in didn’t survive the strain of my diagnosis either. But my family and friends have been supportive and I managed to put my life back together.
So I decided to go back to work, and I applied for my dream job – working as cabin crew. I applied to a major airline in 2006, had an interview and was delighted to be offered the job. I was honest in my medical screening form and told them that I had HIV. They withdrew the job offer, saying that my HIV infection meant I couldn’t travel worldwide. I fought this and my case was taken to the Disability Rights Commission. The airline settled out of court, but I never did get to start my dream job and am left wondering what to do with my life.
You need to be strong to live with HIV – you need to be, all the obstacles that are thrown in your way. But I take each day as it comes and am thankful for what I have.
copy of My dream job
I'm a 27-year-old gay guy and I was diagnosed with both HIV and hepatitis B in 2004. I had a terrible time after my diagnosis. I was ill and needed to take HIV treatment immediately, and it was only when I was prescribed my third combination that I found one that I could tolerate. The relationship I was in didn’t survive the strain of my diagnosis either. But my family and friends have been supportive and I managed to put my life back together.
So I decided to go back to work, and I applied for my dream job – working as cabin crew. I applied to a major airline in 2006, had an interview and was delighted to be offered the job. I was honest in my medical screening form and told them that I had HIV. They withdrew the job offer, saying that my HIV infection meant I couldn’t travel worldwide. I fought this and my case was taken to the Disability Rights Commission. The airline settled out of court, but I never did get to start my dream job and am left wondering what to do with my life.
You need to be strong to live with HIV – you need to be, all the obstacles that are thrown in your way. But I take each day as it comes and am thankful for what I have.
