Since the day they began dating, Jonathon Crause was fearful that his positive HIV status would affect the health of his partner. Eight years later, his partner began Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and now they could not be more at ease.
“I found out I was HIV+ shortly before my 22nd birthday. Needless to say, it was the worst birthday I’ve ever had. My friends had thrown this party and I just wanted to cry. I felt like I couldn’t talk to any of them about it without judgment” says Jonathon, now 33 years old with an undetectable viral load.
Jonathon eventually came to peace with his HIV status through therapy and group support. About one year after Jonathon was diagnosed as HIV positive, he met his future partner at a party thrown by a mutual friend.
“I saw him and wasn’t going to talk to him. He was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I truly didn’t think there was a chance that knowing my status he would give me the time of day, but to my surprise he came and spoke to me, and asked me out on a date. On our first date, I told him point blank, and he just looked at me and said ‘no worries’ and the rest is history.”
Although the two always practiced safe-sex, Jonathon was still extremely concerned about the health of his partner, even 2 years after the pair moved in together.
“Obviously, if there were anything I could change, it would be my HIV status” says Jonathon.
Jonathan was determined to help his now husband stay as healthy as possible for the duration of their relationship. “There was always this thought like, if he came home and told me he was positive, I know he wouldn’t blame me, but I would blame me. I would be devastated.” says Jonathon.
Jonathon is one of 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States. Jonathon and Andrew sought help from Atlanta based HIV specialists at AbsoluteCare Clinic. AbsoluteCare provides counseling and financial help for those seeking out preventative treatment, with help from the Gilead program, a program dedicated to helping those in need of the medication receive it at an appropriate cost. Many insurance companies do not cover the costs of preventative treatment, as it is often labeled as high-risk sexual activity.
Dacenta Grice, a safe-sex counselor with AbsoluteCare clinic, has been dedicated to helping those living with HIV for over 10 years.
“The counseling process is difficult at first. I have to talk them through different sexual activities, alert them of the different risks, and reassure them that while this medication is extremely effective, it does not replace condoms. Always, always, always, use a condom.” says Dacenta.
The Gilead program has almost 30 years of dedication to fighting life threatening diseases. You do not have to have an HIV positive partner to enroll in the Gilead program to receive Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, however couples with different HIV statuses are the targeted group.
“Honestly PrEP is the best thing that ever happened to us. It puts my mind at ease knowing there are now better chances that he will remain healthy” says Jonathan.
If it weren’t for AbsoluteCare and the Gilead program, Jonathon and his partner would not be able to afford the Truvada medication. Without insurance or financial help, a one-month supply of daily dosed Truvada costs around $1,300. PReP is also a long-term commitment, as scientific studies have shown that once starting the medication, it’s best to continue taking it, making the treatment quite costly.
“He and I are both big Disney fans, and ‘hakuna matata’ means ‘no worries’, which is what he said to me on our first date. When we got married in 2017, we both somehow worked the phrase ‘hakuna matata’ into our wedding vows without the other knowing, and without ever acknowledging the phrase.” says Jonathon.
“It just means that this was supposed to happen. We were supposed to find each other and are meant to have a healthy relationship without fear. That’s all that matters to us.”
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