Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Mar 13/02) - Four years ago, Toronto native Alex McClelland didn't have a care in the world.

He was but 19 years of age and in his first year of college.

Toronto native Alex McClelland tested positive for the HIV virus when he was 19 years old. Now 23, McClelland was in Rankin Inlet this past week speaking to a number of groups about his disease. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Like most teenagers, McClelland didn't think anything bad was ever going to happen to him.

Dealing with a fatal disease was the last thing on his mind when he had unprotected sex twice with his girlfriend.

McClelland's life changed in a heartbeat, when the girl told him there might be something wrong.

"I went to have myself tested and the results coming back positive was the scariest thing that had ever happened in my life," said McClelland.

"I didn't know very much about HIV and I firmly believed I'd be dead in a couple of years."

McClelland and five other youth from the Positive Youth Outreach organization (people under 30 who are HIV positive) are visiting the Arctic to share their experiences and let people know what it's like to be HIV positive.

Their visit is being sponsored by the Pauktuutit Inuit Women's Association.

McClelland battled depression for a long time after being diagnosed with HIV.

His outlook has changed drastically during the past four years, however, and now he finds himself a stronger person who places a much-higher value on friends and family.

"A lot of younger people have never met anyone with HIV and just meeting someone like me is an important experience they can learn from.

"Too many people still think the only ones at risk for HIV are drug users, prostitutes and gay men.

"They think if they're not one of those people, they're not going to get it, so meeting someone like me -- who is none of those things -- really has an impact on them."

McClelland is quick to point out that before he tested positive for HIV, he believed the same stereotyping about people with the disease.

He said TV is one of the biggest perpetrators of the HIV myth, often portraying people with the virus as gay men and hard drug users.

"I only had sex with that girl twice. I didn't use a condom and it happened.

"I actually know other people who only had unprotected sex once, or just had sex for their first time and it happened.

"I can't stress to the people of Nunavut enough how important protection is," said McClelland.

"I'm living proof of what can happen if you don't protect yourself."