 What's up fam? Raif DeRozzi here and first of all, let me point out if you haven't noticed already I got a new banner up on YouTube I've been working on that for a little while with the graphic designer. I just wanted to re-brand if you will re-emphasize what this channel is about. If you noticed it before it just was like this really ambiguous kind of blueish landscape and it said Raif DeRozzi and that was it and it was like that didn't inform anything really about the channel whatsoever and I know this is just two words becoming and Raif but at least now There's a movement to the name. You kind of get a feel for what's happening It's a verb becoming and that's exactly what I want it to be focused on over time I've been realizing as I'm getting to know you guys and as you guys are getting to know me This channel isn't just about HIV. It's not just about fitness or bodybuilding It's not just about growing and becoming a better person on the surface They might seem unrelated, but the reality is they're all part of this bigger picture this bigger machine of what I'm trying to Bring across on this channel. It kind of just dawned on me This journey is about me just becoming myself who I am who I've always been who I was as a kid You know who I want to be in the future. It's about becoming me becoming Raif That's the umbrella of what this channel represents me on my journey and along the way Yes, some of it has to do with living with HIV some of it has to do with fitness and bodybuilding some of it has to do with overcoming personal issues and Some of it will be lifestyle and I want to start venturing into that more and some of it will be about my daily routine And like what is my morning ritual and just everything I wanted to include the whole thing? Because I'm hoping that you guys being able to experience my journey that you'll be able to relate that to your own story And your own journey and hopefully gleam some insight from that and maybe a lesson or two and maybe some inspiration Who knows what else or just some entertainment and maybe laugh with me share in the adorable moments with Duke. I Hope you guys like it. Tell me what you think. I'm curious to know I feel like this is a new chapter for me. Anyway back to the purpose of this video today December 1st 2019 is World AIDS Day every year on this day We recognize World AIDS Day and it's a day to bring attention and Recognition to those people who are living with HIV AIDS to those people who have passed from HIV AIDS and To just recognize where we're at, you know Where society is at education and where we need to grow and all of it and I think that's a good thing You know, we have come a very long way It's far from being the epidemic at least in the US that it was in the 80s medicine has just I mean relative to how medicine advances over time is just made leaps and bounds especially in the last five to ten years and continues to Venture forth into unknown territory with new things that are being trialed now Like shots that you can take and that will last you a month at a time. So you you don't even have to worry about taking medicine every day It's just a shot that slowly releases medicine into your body or the course of a month and then possibly soon three months and possibly six months Meanwhile, many researchers scientists and doctors are working on many possible avenues for a cure There's lots of things that pop up in the news of possible Pathways to a cure and I think one of those at least is In just a matter of time going to present itself as a feasible practical cure for the general population That's just a matter of time with all of that said I think the biggest most challenging hurdle that we face today is Education or lack thereof and access to medicine and then third stigma Which has a big role to play with education and I think that stigma is for many many people who are living with HIV today The number one most difficult thing to grapple with mentally psychologically in their social spheres family Workplace environment. So that is I want to put a spotlight on that is the place where we have the most need for growth I read on I think it's world a day org They said one in five people that they did a survey and one in five people living with HIV felt that they needed help with loneliness Three out of four of those people who said they needed help with loneliness said that they are not able to find the help that they need And that's really sad And I think it's important to continue talking about HIV AIDS and people living with it on social media and in media in general Because because of the fact that so many people feel alone and isolated and it's just not true We're not alone. We don't have to go through this on our own You know what I mean by very virtue of the fact that you can watch this video means that you have access to the internet Which means that you have access to whole communities of people who are in a similar position as you or who are and can be Supportive of what you're going through. I don't have anything specific that I want to talk about today I'm just very heartened and hopeful and I'm so encouraged by you guys and the community that we've developed over time Online and I think there are so many great things that are happening in on the way I'm super happy and super stoked with all the developments that have been made so far We just got to keep going just got to keep chugging along and we'll get there I have no doubt about that So if there's one thing that I have to say to those of you out there who are living with HIV and struggling It's that you are not alone. You're not alone. I'm here. I'm one person I got your back and you can reach out to me and you can talk to me You can send me DMs. You can send me comments I do my best to get to everybody in a reasonable amount of time. Sometimes it's hard I do my best, but it's not just me There's so many other people online who are willing to talk to you and lend a hand and lend an ear and give you some Advice and be there for you. So if you're one of those people who is feeling alone do yourself a favor I know it's hard when you feel when you're feeling down or depressed or lonely To take initiative and do something for yourself But it's so important if you just take that little step to put yourself out there to reach out and to say hey Like I need help. There's even a reddit for people who are living with HIV. There's forums. There's Facebook groups There's you know YouTube channels and in the comment section the videos where you can link up with people It's just so important that you take control of that part of your life And you take action to find people even if it's only online And I shouldn't say only because you can make some great relationships with people online. Yes, you're not alone I'm not alone. We are all in this together We are one big human race on this tiny ass little planet in the middle of the universe Which is just so gigantic. We have each other And so we're here going on this journey with each other and to that I say happy World AIDS Day Keep up the hope keep up the faith and the motivation and the inspiration I'll be here to help you keep it up and I will see you guys