A story of courage.
Hi my name is Chrystopher Mikel Crespin. I am 24 yrs. old and live in Albuquerque, NM. On November 6, 2005, I was admitted into Presbyterian Hospital diagnosed with Pneunmocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). I was given 12 hours to live but by the grace of God I was awake and talking to the doctors the next morning. Two days later I was diagnosed with HIV. That was a shock because I have never been a drug user, never had a blood transfusion and have never had sex with either a man or woman. The day I found out I was very depressed and felt ashamed. Then I realized that I wasnt alone when my Bishop, David C. Cooper, told me about a gentleman in California who was married and was living with HIV since 1999. After hearing that I felt a whole lot better and realized that I was not alone. Although living with HIV is a struggle, I go day by day. Its so wonderful to know that God gave me a second chance at life.
The one thing that keeps me going is knowing that my family and friends stuck behind me and did not leave or judge me for my disease. My Bishop, David C. Cooper, told me that if people judge or dont want to talk to me then they have the problem. I could not see that because I have seen the way others look and treat people with HIV. Then, one day I realized that all I need to worry about is what God thinks about me, and not what everyone else thinks.
On February 14, 2006, I had my second doctors appointment. At that time I had only been taking my medication for about a month and a half. My doctor came in with wonderful news. He told me that my blood test came in and my viral load went from more than 100,000 in November of 2005 to 1,300 in February of 2006 and that my CD4 count went from 23 in November of 2005 to 216 in February of 2006. That was the best Valentines Day present anyone could have received. My family and I were very excited. Three months later I had another doctors appointment on May 12, 2006 on my 24th birthday. The doctor came in and told me that he had wonderful news. He the told me that my viral load went from 1,300 in February of 2006 to Undetectable in May of 2006. The only thing he told me was that my CD4 count went from 216 in February of 2006 to 206 in May of 2006. I asked him if that was a problem and he told me that it was ok because my immune system was slowly waking up. That was the best birthday present I could have ever had. That day my family and I celebrated. I am so glad that I am able to tell others that are living with HIV that if this could happen to me within five months then it could happen to them.
I really want to teach my generation, other generations and the Christian community that HIV/AIDS is no respecter of persons and that its alright to be HIV+ and be a Christian. I am currently in the process of collecting information to write a book on coping with HIV/AIDS.
It is now 2010 and I am happy to say that I am living healthier then ever and looking toward my future goals and dreams. I not only owe a great thanks to God but to my family and friends who have stood beside me through my ups an downs.
