A volunteer for Vermont CARES who has been living with HIV since 1998 says World AIDS Day is a time of reflection for him and others with HIV or AIDS.

Speaking on Vermont Edition, Ken said that he doesn't think of himself as a person with HIV. He just thinks of himself as someone dealing with life and that just happens to be one of the things he has to deal with.

He encourages people to talk about the disease, to be public and educate others. He says he's alive and thriving. And he wants people new to the disease to know that there is life after HIV.