My brother Tyler McCullough was born November 13th 1980. He was my mother's first born and only son. He was my sister Justine and I only brother who we loved very dearly. When I was 12 years old I found out that my brother was diagnosed with HIV. I was learning in school what HIV was but never thought that anyone I know could ever have it. Not my brother at least. I just thought he was going to die. At that time my brother was 16 years old. I loved my brother the same as I did when we were young playing with GI Joes. I remember a time after he was diagnosed with HIV and he cut hisself with a piece of glass. All I wanted to do was hold him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. But he told me to stay away from him and get him bleach and alcohol. I said "No Tyler, I will get a rag and wipe everything up." But he insisted that I do as he say. Now knowing that this disease is in your blood I know why my brother was sick the way he was and he was basically looking out for my health.
At the age of 23 my brother found out that he has full blown AIDS. I was hysterical. I couldn't believe that the disease has gotten worst. How could this happen. He was taking his medicine but the medicine made his body weak and his nutrition went lower and lower and sometimes I my mother and I had to feed him because he was too weak to get out of bed. For the past three years my brother has been in and out the hospital. But yesterday August 20th 2007 all the needles and pills weren't good enough. His last words were to my mother saying, "Mom all I want for you to do is keep talking to me, I just want to hear your voice." My mom rubbed his feet and talked to him when he closed his eyes and never woke up.
My brother is in a better place. He taught me that you have to live everyday like its your last. I love him now, later and forever.
