Nils

Nils, born in 1975, gay, positive since 2003, languages: German/English

"Nothing is eaten as hot as it has been cooked," my grandma used to say. And hey, she was right, and fortunately today it also applies to the issue of HIV.

My name is Nils and I’m living in Bremen since 1995. People describe me as the calm, matter-of-fact type who is a good listener, but who also knows how to get people out of the status of shocked and passive thinking to proactive behaviour.

I still remember how it felt in 2003 when my general practitioner told me the result. It was the end for me. "That was my life!" I thought. Today I can tell you: No, that was definitely not the end! It was the beginning of a new phase in my life in which I experienced great new things. It's not easy at first. But it gets easier. I promise you!

HIV is a daily companion for me today. It is there. Many others know about it: my husband, my family and my work colleagues. From the beginning it was important for me to talk about it because I was looking for orientation. And I was also looking for a kind of “buddy”. I knew about a guy in my circle of acquaintances. His experiences from everyday life helped me a lot to feel safer. A good HIV -specialist physician also helps a lot. And of course all kinds of HIV-centres, meetings with other HIV-positive people and much more.

At the beginning, however, the overview is a bit lacking. And this is where I would like to try to help you. Sure, I'm not a professional, but I've made a lot of experiences dealing with the infection; in many concerns of my daily life.

Tell me what concerns you. Then we can see together what might suit you. I do not limit my offer to specific persons. But as I'm a gay man, I naturally have a stronger focus on this. But that shouldn't stop you. I will answer you in any case, and together we will find a solution!

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

Nils