I am the eldest son of an average Egyptian family that lost its father many years ago, with a mother left to assume the role of breadwinner. Many mothers had suffered a great deal, especially due to my struggle with drug addiction. And just when God allowed me to pull through the crisis, a series of other problems began, including court cases material losses and various illnesses – not least of which was my infection with HIV. But my worst experience was my time in prison, which I will never forget.

Before my jail term, I had met with providers of voluntary HIV testing and counseling services. Following several screening and counseling session, during which I was provided with information regarding the modes of transmission and ways of coping with the virus, I agreed to take the test in light of the likelihood of my being infected.

The counseling sessions helped me accept the positive result of the test. My real problem was disclosing my HIV status to others, especially members of my family.

In prison, a physician visited us once a week to examine the sick. Three weeks into his visits, I decided – thinking he would help me – to tell him about my status. But instead of offering me comfort, he notified prison officials of my condition and instructed them to warm other inmates not to eat or drink with me.

Their immediate response was to put me in solitary confinement in a 1.5m  1m cell for a month and half, thinking this would prevent panic among the other inmates – this despite my exemplary conduct. At one point, a prison warden who accompanied me to court where my parents were waiting publicly announced my status, telling them, “Your son has got AIDS. Nobody is to come near him.”

There were repeated court visits, during which I was always accompanied by the same officer who would insultingly refer to me as “the AIDS guy”. The label enraged me, but – thankfully – God gave me the wisdom to remain composed despite the humiliation.

I learned a lot during my time in prison, and after my release, was keen to volunteer at associations that support those living with HIV/AIDS. I was also determined to raise awareness among those who adopted high-risk lifestyle in hopes of helping them avoid contracting the infection as I had.

But I was terribly saddened by my family’s reaction to my condition. I never saw anything in their eyes but pity and sorrow. And when I told them about the volunteer work, I was doing with other people living with the virus, there were overwhelmed with feelings of fear and shame.

But now I thank God, who led me to depend on myself.

I even met a girl (not infected by the virus) who made up for the lack of support shown by my family. She accepted to marry me and become my life companion, which has thankfully provided me with a new beginning.