Would You Choose to Get Involved with Someone Who Has a Serious Illness?

A recent New York Times Modern Love column was about a woman who fell in love with a man who, after a few dates, told her he was HIV positive. He was also much older and a recovering alcoholic and had a teenage daughter. None of these factors were obstacles to her love and commitment. They married. He had one severe episode of AIDS-related pneumonia that almost ended his life. He recovered, and they continue loving each other. In fact, the presence of his illness helps them fight relationship complacency and not take each other for granted.

So here are my questions for you:

Did you know your partner was ill when you committed to the relationship?

If yes, did that make you hesitate?

What made you decide to commit any way?

If you knew then what you know now, would you have made the same choice?

If you chose to end the relationship early on, after finding out about your date's illness, why did you make that choice? Did you ever regret it?