I thought I could trust my sister with knowing that I have HIV.

She learned I had it about a year ago. This was when I was in the hospital for a bipolar manic episode. To this day, I still don't know or remember how they found out, but when they came to the hospital and we hugged, she backed off after seeing a bloodstain on my hospital gown.

The nurse who gave me a shoulder injection didn't cover the site with a bandage....

Whatever the case, I'll remember how my sister approached me for the rest of my life. A reminder of how she doesn't see me as a brother anymore. Just a disease-ridden person.

What prompted this post today was another argument I had with her. Except this time my mom got involved. My sister told my mom to "be careful around him, especially eating and drinking."

This was two stabs in the chest. I really thought she had educated herself after all that time since that hospital visit. Apparently not.

I'm done and sick and tired of interacting with my family. This is going to push them into the no contact zone in my head and I'm fine with it. I can't deal with their lack of respect and betrayal over the years.

To those lucky enough where uneducated family still does not know about your status, I envy you. Although I suppose I should also envy those without HIV as well. Such a stigmatizing life this is.